Flying post bladder & anterior prolapse.

Lorraine87336, 

Never want to be Negative Nancy and no one can really tell you for sure...but I am 9 weeks post op posterior and anterior repair and took two short trips this week .  I am paying for it today with feelings of pressure and swelling in the lower abdomen and pelvic region. I know we are all different in our procedures and recoveries...but one common thread we all share is the need to take care of ourselves during our recovery so we will have the best opportunity for healing possible. I wish you the best but do remind you to take it easy....be careful...and do absolutely nothing for as long as possible! 

Hi Lorraine

I am 10 weeks having had bladder anterior and posterior repair. 

If you want an honest opinion. Your surgery will not have healed sufficiently to put this amount pressure on it. I avoided sitting for 8weeks and then it was still uncomfortable. You will be sitting waiting at the airport then the plane then the journey to your villa and you won’t be able to get horizontal to relieve the pressure. If you strain your anterior wall before it has healed you could well be looking at repeat surgery which is never as successful as the first attempt.  At 8 weeks I could only manage a 15 min walk without feeling anterior strain. 

I have had this surgery 3 times. This time I am giving it the appropriate healing time and lots of horizontal rest.  I am doing really well but I know I have a few more weeks to strengthen.

One of the things that is most often written on this forum is how surprised girls are at the amount of time this surgery takes to recover and the patience needed.

I don’t want to be a spoil sport but from my experience you have a choice between your holiday or the success of your surgery.

Sorry but I am really concerned that you may not realise the extent of the surgery you have had.

Sent with best wishes, Peta

Hi Lorraine

I am 10 weeks having had bladder anterior and posterior repair. 

If you want an honest opinion. Your surgery will not have healed sufficiently to put this amount pressure on it. I avoided sitting for 8weeks and then it was still uncomfortable. You will be sitting waiting at the airport then the plane then the journey to your villa and you won’t be able to get horizontal to relieve the pressure. If you strain your anterior wall before it has healed you could well be looking at repeat surgery which is never as successful as the first attempt.  At 8 weeks I could only manage a 15 min walk without feeling anterior strain. 

I have had this surgery 3 times. This time I am giving it the appropriate healing time and lots of horizontal rest.  I am doing really well but I know I have a few more weeks to strengthen.

One of the things that is most often written on this forum is how surprised girls are at the amount of time this surgery takes to recover and the patience needed.

I don’t want to be a spoil sport but from my experience you have a choice between your holiday or the success of your surgery.

Sorry but I am really concerned that you may not realise the extent of the surgery you have had.

Sent with best wishes, Peta

Sorry my post doubled up!

Just wanted to say .......I did not join my husband for 4 days away interstate to see family this weekend as it would have entailed a total of 6 hours non stop sitting and additional standing at airport and didn’t want to jepodise the scar tissue building stage of the healing process. 

I was not allowed to drive for six weeks after my anterior and posterior repair (I also had a vaginal hysterectomy). I was driven at about 10 days, to stay with my sister; my husband was going away. The journey was about two hours, I was fine, but we were able to stop if needed. 

At six weeks I was OK to drive, I checked with my insurance and I had to go by the advice from my consultant. 

As already said, we all heal at different rates, but four weeks is very early. Is it a totally chilled holiday you’re going on, and do you have to do that first drive? 

Hi Lorraine

I'm afraid I agree with the other replies.

The first thing I was told when the surgery was booked was NO flights within 6 weeks of the op. Along with the other plans for driving you have, it is way too much too soon.

Also, I drove a short distance after 4 weeks & I was very uncomfortable the next day. It is surprising the different muscles you use for driving.

So, my advice is DON'T fly & DON'T drive for that long.

Jennie x

I’m 6 weeks post op with the same procedure. 

I thought with having 9 weeks off work in total I’d be able to take advantage and make the most of my time off work after the first four weeks! I was being overly optimistic! I’m a generally fit and active 38 year old so I thought recovery would be quick.

I cancelled a weekend away we had planned with friends last week and the thought of doing anything such as go away, long walks is still quite off putting. 

It’s very hard to be this restricted , but then I suppose that is why they said 9 weeks. I have my check up on Tuesday so will see what the Consultant says.  

Is there any way to postpone your trip? 

Xx You might be healing better and quicker than others but don’t risk undoing the procedure 😕

Hi Lorraine

I was told after my tvh and anterior repair that I could fly for 8 w eerks. This is Due to dvt clots.

I honestly think this i s way to soon after such a major op but you really need to ask your surgeon,he will know what he has done.

If it was me I would not be flying but I'm a very cautious girl and a big worrier.xx

I agree with everyone else, way too much, way too soon.

You could really put your recovery back if you do all those hours driving, and I’d think flying so soon would be a no no due to risk of DVT.

Tho it will be a pain to cancel or postpone the trip, I really don’t think you’ll enjoy it and at worst you could do yourself real damage.