Posted , 14 users are following.
Hi,
I'm having a partial knee replacement either Aug 5th or a week later on Aug 12. I'm going to flying to PR on Sept 6th for my father's 80th birthday. I know i'm cutting it very close. The flight is 3:10 mintues. It will be 4 weeks post op.
What doesn everyone think? My doctor's physicians assistant says I shoud wait 4-6 weeks but it's my father's 80th bday and we have been planning his surprise bday party for a while.
0 likes, 25 replies
sue37592 irisboxer
Posted
joyfull1 irisboxer
Posted
In my opinion, it might be doable with conditions but you won't know for sure until near the days of the flight. You will not be able to sit comfortable doe that long, so hope the seat next to you is empty so you can elevate your leg. Good luck.
elaine25674 irisboxer
Posted
Again in everyone is different. I can only tell you how it happened with me.
Good luck to you in your surgery.
deena907 irisboxer
Posted
I had a tkr on June 21st in Seattle, WA. On June 27th I flew home to Alaska. It took 5 hours to get home, 3 1/2 of that on a plane. I won't lie, it hurt like heck, there was not enough pain meds to make the pain go away. But I wore my stockings the doctor gave me and got up about every 15 to 20 minutes to move around.
Having had that experience, I can say a month made a lot of difference to my flying experience. (Everybody is different) I made the same flight down to Seattle from Alaska at 1 month. Much better trip the second time.
My advise is to plan on making the trip, the worst case senerio is you get close to leaving and you realize your leg is just not healed enough to make the trip. Buy the $12 trip insurance in case you cancel you won't be out the price of the ticket!
Good luck with surgery and flight, and happy birthday to your dad!
joyfull1 irisboxer
Posted
You need to allow for post op depression and also allow your body to come back from major organs being suppressed during surgery. You may feel light headed and nauseous. I suggest you postpone your operation or your trip. I had no idea my whole body would be involved in a difficult recovery process. Don't want to be a wet blanket, just hoping to help you think practically. God bless.
Oldfatguy1 irisboxer
Posted
Iris....family activities are important....but. I will be 80 in February and I know if one of my kids had undergone tkr 30 days prior, I would BEG them to stay home. Set up Skype so you can visit that way. I was absolutely forbidden to fly in less than 2 months and back then (2004 was my original) the airport hassle wasn't anything like today. I've had 6 leg /knee surgeries since then and I know I wouldn't even think about it.
You will still be fragile, in pain and unable to manage luggage etc.
If you insist make sure you have wheel chair at both ends of the flight. Hydrate well starting 48 hrs before and during the flight. Get an aisle/bulkhead seat, make sure you take large empty plastic bags so flight personnel can supply ice, take pain meds prior to flight and plenty with of meds while you are gone.
At best this is going to be rough but best of luck
moandrieu irisboxer
Posted
Iris, you've gotten some great feedback. As several pointed out, all our bodies respond and heal differently. I had a bilateral TKR (so both knees on the same day) and at four weeks was not even interested in walking outside (some stair exercises was about the limit because getting in and out of vehicles was such a difficult process. But around 6 weeks I did make a 4.5 hour train trip. At 12 weeks I flew internationally. I agree with the idea of a wheelchair, no shame in that, especially if it gets you there with less pain. I'm not sure if you can fly with any sort of ice packs, but if you can get the ones that velcro around your knee, I highly recommend them. Getting up and walking to help ward off blood clots is also a really good idea. What I do know is, where there's a will, there's a way. Having this trip ahead of you will probably push you in your pt; which will be helpful as you'll need to be able to have a good bend to get in and out of your seat - also make sure you can get an aisle seat. Let us know how things go.
- Mo
tina_82977 irisboxer
Posted
debbie72922 irisboxer
Posted
When I went through security my partial never set the alarm off , the parts are small . I did tell them but won't anymore . Also the airlines I flew (delta) were very sensitive and helpful with setting up wheelchairs throughout the entire flight . They were waiting for me when I stepped off the plane at the gates with the wheelchair .
Oldfatguy1 debbie72922
Posted
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