to linda Re: Airline seating

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

As always, your reply is so helpful!

Thanks,

Limpy

> Hi Jim,

>

> I flew to and from Belgium for resurfacing in " standard " coach

seats,

> and I was quite comfortable on the return flight. I think the

limiting

> factor is how long your legs are! I'm fairly short (5'3 " ) so I

was fine. If

> you're usually okay with a standard coach seat, you'll probably be

fine as

> long as you manage to sit on the aisle. I had requested an aisle

seat, but

> was assigned to a window seat anyway. Fortunately, the person in

my row

> with the aisle seat was more than happy to trade with me. You

really need

> that aisle seat so you can get up and walk every 45-60 minutes.

Coach aisles

> are too narrow to accomodate both crutches, but with careful

navigation one

> crutch works just fine. If you're tall and have enough frequent

flyer miles

> to upgrade to 1st class, that might be an option, too.

> Grab a couple of cushions and a blanket before you take your

seat. If

> you only had one side resurfaced, sitting with the cushion under

the

> opposite hip helps to take some of the weight off your incision.

If the

> buckle of the seat belt rests on your operated side, it helps to

slip a

> cushion or rolled up blanket under the buckle. Taking a

preventative dose

> of whatever pain meds you receive at discharge (probably Vicodin

or Tylenol

> #3) before the flight will keep you more comfortable. It's easier

to block

> pain than to relieve it once it starts!

> Best of luck with your resurfacing. Bet you can hardly

wait 'til June!

>

> (RPh)

> rBHR 3/3/04 De Smet

>

> ---- Original Message -----

> From: " elvis2342003 "

> To: surfacehippy >

> Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 5:48 AM

> Subject: Airline seating

>

>

> > I am scheduled to be resurfaced in June with the good Dr. Gross.

I

> > checked on flight availability today and it looks like all of the

> > bulkhead seats on every flight out of Columbia are already

taken!! I

> > am interested to find out if anyone has flown for about 4 hours

in

> > the " standard " airline seat (which typically works fine for me).

> > What was the " experience " like post-op and do you have any hints

for

> > remaining relatively comfortable?

> >

> > Thanks!!

> >

> > Jim

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >