Re: Flying and coping alone after surgery?

[Guest guest]

Luna,

I think this is a question you should ask your OS, in terms of

whether you can fly on your own so soon after the surgery. When i

asked my surgeon he wasn't keen on me flying for at least 3 weeks

after my surgery. Then again, I wanted to fly home to Italy which is

8 hours from NYC so maybe Montana is easier.

There are a number of people on this site that took care of

themselves all on their own post-surgery so it can be done. Given

that you are naturally an independent person I think you could deal

with it. Personally, I wouldn't want to be flying any sooner than 10

days after surgery. From what I understand you feel pretty weak for a

while after the surgery and just checking in at an airport drains the

energy out of me when I'm in full health!

Let us know what you decide.

Sara

> I'm trying to schedule my surgery (lower adv.) for July, but I'm

> struggling to find a friend that can stay with me in Seattle the

> entire time the surgeon requires me to be there (eight days). I'll

be

> coming from Montana, which is a solid day of driving time. My two

good

> friends here live several hours beyond me, even. They both have

> businesses that make it impossible for them to be gone for 10 days.

>

> So I'm trying to figure out how to make this work. I might be able

to

> juggle them both somehow -- with one coming out for the first five

> days and the other for the second five days. Or if we all fly, that

> shaves off about a day. But having three of us going gets expensive.

> Maybe just one friend could fly out in time for the surgery and

leave

> within three days or so?

>

> So my questions are: How soon after surgery would I be able to fly?

> And how long do I really NEED to have someone with me? I'm a pretty

> capable person -- live alone, travel alone, take care of myself when

> I'm sick, etc. But is it realistic to think I could cope alone

within

> three or four days of surgery? I know it probably wouldn't be a good

> idea for those of you doing upper, but I'm just doing lower ....

>

> Thanks!

> Luna

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks. I know I need to ask my OS, but his office was closed and I'm

anxious to figure this out, so I thought I'd start here. It's good to

hear that some folks here have handled post-surgery on their own. I

hope some of them will respond ...?

Luna

[Guest guest]

Hi Luna

I had my mom with me for 2 weeks after the surgery, I was very lucky to

have someone so willing to look after me for so long! Having someone

with you is obviously a million times nicer, but if that's not possible

In my case, if no other option were available, I think I could have

made it on my own 3-4 days after i got out of the hospital (i was there

2 nights). Depends of course on what kind of recovery you end up

having; I had a really easy recovery (from upper/lower/genio/wisdom

teeth), but when I got out of the hospital I got dehydrated and was

fainting and feeling very sick till i saw the OS and got another IV.

If you're on your own so soon, you have to be careful to really take

care of yourself and drink enough stuff to keep you healthy! I would

definitely recommend some major prepping by buying some ensures and pre-

making some soup broth or whatever you choose to eat/drink, you

probably won't feel too much like making that stuff till at least a

week later. My first day of real activity was probably day 9. I was

on my own without help after 2 weeks, and I found feeding myself and

cleaning my teeth to be a full time job at first, which can be tiring.

You didn't say if you would be spending any nights in the hospital;

lonely, but it might work better for you if your friend came out to

seattle just when you got out of the hospital, instead of when you

actually had your surgery?

Definitely ask your OS what he thinks though, and good luck with your

surgery!

-

> ,

>

> Thanks. I know I need to ask my OS, but his office was closed and I'm

> anxious to figure this out, so I thought I'd start here. It's good to

> hear that some folks here have handled post-surgery on their own. I

> hope some of them will respond ...?

>

> Luna

[Guest guest]

Luna

I had a lowere advancement on a Wednesday, and I was on my own by

Monday, so I had someone with me for 4 days. I was definitely ready

to be on my own after 4 days, but there is no way that I would have

been able to drive that long by myself. I will be 4 weeks post op

next week and I was going to drive 12 hours to my boyfriend's for

Memorial day weekend, but I opted to fly instead.

Provided all goes well with your surgery and immediate recovery

(which I'm sure it will ) ), then I would say that you would be

okay after day 4, but it may be difficult to travel alone after 10

days. Day 10 for me was the first day that I actually left my house.

I only stayed away for a couple of hours because I still got tired

real easy. Also, the pain can just creep up on you. Even now, at 3

weeks post op), I don't stay away from home for too long.

This has just been my experience, and everyone heals differently, so

you should really discuss this with you OS. Mine has no problem with

me flying 4 weeks post op, but 10 days might be tough.

> I'm trying to schedule my surgery (lower adv.) for July, but I'm

> struggling to find a friend that can stay with me in Seattle the

> entire time the surgeon requires me to be there (eight days). I'll

be

> coming from Montana, which is a solid day of driving time. My two

good

> friends here live several hours beyond me, even. They both have

> businesses that make it impossible for them to be gone for 10

days.

>

> So I'm trying to figure out how to make this work. I might be able

to

> juggle them both somehow -- with one coming out for the first five

> days and the other for the second five days. Or if we all fly, that

> shaves off about a day. But having three of us going gets

expensive.

> Maybe just one friend could fly out in time for the surgery and

leave

> within three days or so?

>

> So my questions are: How soon after surgery would I be able to fly?

> And how long do I really NEED to have someone with me? I'm a pretty

> capable person -- live alone, travel alone, take care of myself

when

> I'm sick, etc. But is it realistic to think I could cope alone

within

> three or four days of surgery? I know it probably wouldn't be a

good

> idea for those of you doing upper, but I'm just doing lower ....

>

> Thanks!

> Luna

[Guest guest]

Luna

I had a lowere advancement on a Wednesday, and I was on my own by

Monday, so I had someone with me for 4 days. I was definitely ready

to be on my own after 4 days, but there is no way that I would have

been able to drive that long by myself. I will be 4 weeks post op

next week and I was going to drive 12 hours to my boyfriend's for

Memorial day weekend, but I opted to fly instead.

Provided all goes well with your surgery and immediate recovery

(which I'm sure it will ) ), then I would say that you would be

okay after day 4, but it may be difficult to travel alone after 10

days. Day 10 for me was the first day that I actually left my house.

I only stayed away for a couple of hours because I still got tired

real easy. Also, the pain can just creep up on you. Even now, at 3

weeks post op), I don't stay away from home for too long.

This has just been my experience, and everyone heals differently, so

you should really discuss this with you OS. Mine has no problem with

me flying 4 weeks post op, but 10 days might be tough.

> I'm trying to schedule my surgery (lower adv.) for July, but I'm

> struggling to find a friend that can stay with me in Seattle the

> entire time the surgeon requires me to be there (eight days). I'll

be

> coming from Montana, which is a solid day of driving time. My two

good

> friends here live several hours beyond me, even. They both have

> businesses that make it impossible for them to be gone for 10

days.

>

> So I'm trying to figure out how to make this work. I might be able

to

> juggle them both somehow -- with one coming out for the first five

> days and the other for the second five days. Or if we all fly, that

> shaves off about a day. But having three of us going gets

expensive.

> Maybe just one friend could fly out in time for the surgery and

leave

> within three days or so?

>

> So my questions are: How soon after surgery would I be able to fly?

> And how long do I really NEED to have someone with me? I'm a pretty

> capable person -- live alone, travel alone, take care of myself

when

> I'm sick, etc. But is it realistic to think I could cope alone

within

> three or four days of surgery? I know it probably wouldn't be a

good

> idea for those of you doing upper, but I'm just doing lower ....

>

> Thanks!

> Luna

[Guest guest]

Can you tell me please how long you had a bandage on your jaw and chin if you

had one at all?

cfarero <no_reply > wrote:Luna

I had a lowere advancement on a Wednesday, and I was on my own by

Monday, so I had someone with me for 4 days. I was definitely ready

to be on my own after 4 days, but there is no way that I would have

been able to drive that long by myself. I will be 4 weeks post op

next week and I was going to drive 12 hours to my boyfriend's for

Memorial day weekend, but I opted to fly instead.

Provided all goes well with your surgery and immediate recovery

(which I'm sure it will ) ), then I would say that you would be

okay after day 4, but it may be difficult to travel alone after 10

days. Day 10 for me was the first day that I actually left my house.

I only stayed away for a couple of hours because I still got tired

real easy. Also, the pain can just creep up on you. Even now, at 3

weeks post op), I don't stay away from home for too long.

This has just been my experience, and everyone heals differently, so

you should really discuss this with you OS. Mine has no problem with

me flying 4 weeks post op, but 10 days might be tough.

> I'm trying to schedule my surgery (lower adv.) for July, but I'm

> struggling to find a friend that can stay with me in Seattle the

> entire time the surgeon requires me to be there (eight days). I'll

be

> coming from Montana, which is a solid day of driving time. My two

good

> friends here live several hours beyond me, even. They both have

> businesses that make it impossible for them to be gone for 10

days.

>

> So I'm trying to figure out how to make this work. I might be able

to

> juggle them both somehow -- with one coming out for the first five

> days and the other for the second five days. Or if we all fly, that

> shaves off about a day. But having three of us going gets

expensive.

> Maybe just one friend could fly out in time for the surgery and

leave

> within three days or so?

>

> So my questions are: How soon after surgery would I be able to fly?

> And how long do I really NEED to have someone with me? I'm a pretty

> capable person -- live alone, travel alone, take care of myself

when

> I'm sick, etc. But is it realistic to think I could cope alone

within

> three or four days of surgery? I know it probably wouldn't be a

good

> idea for those of you doing upper, but I'm just doing lower ....

>

> Thanks!

> Luna

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I had a bandage wrapped around my entire head for 2 days. My surgery

was on Wednesday morning, and I was able to remove the bandage on

Friday afternoon.

> > I'm trying to schedule my surgery (lower adv.) for July, but I'm

> > struggling to find a friend that can stay with me in Seattle the

> > entire time the surgeon requires me to be there (eight days).

I'll

> be

> > coming from Montana, which is a solid day of driving time. My

two

> good

> > friends here live several hours beyond me, even. They both have

> > businesses that make it impossible for them to be gone for 10

> days.

> >

> > So I'm trying to figure out how to make this work. I might be

able

> to

> > juggle them both somehow -- with one coming out for the first

five

> > days and the other for the second five days. Or if we all fly,

that

> > shaves off about a day. But having three of us going gets

> expensive.

> > Maybe just one friend could fly out in time for the surgery and

> leave

> > within three days or so?

> >

> > So my questions are: How soon after surgery would I be able to

fly?

> > And how long do I really NEED to have someone with me? I'm a

pretty

> > capable person -- live alone, travel alone, take care of myself

> when

> > I'm sick, etc. But is it realistic to think I could cope alone

> within

> > three or four days of surgery? I know it probably wouldn't be a

> good

> > idea for those of you doing upper, but I'm just doing lower ....

> >

> > Thanks!

> > Luna

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the response

cfarero <no_reply > wrote:I had a bandage wrapped around my

entire head for 2 days. My surgery

was on Wednesday morning, and I was able to remove the bandage on

Friday afternoon.

> > I'm trying to schedule my surgery (lower adv.) for July, but I'm

> > struggling to find a friend that can stay with me in Seattle the

> > entire time the surgeon requires me to be there (eight days).

I'll

> be

> > coming from Montana, which is a solid day of driving time. My

two

> good

> > friends here live several hours beyond me, even. They both have

> > businesses that make it impossible for them to be gone for 10

> days.

> >

> > So I'm trying to figure out how to make this work. I might be

able

> to

> > juggle them both somehow -- with one coming out for the first

five

> > days and the other for the second five days. Or if we all fly,

that

> > shaves off about a day. But having three of us going gets

> expensive.

> > Maybe just one friend could fly out in time for the surgery and

> leave

> > within three days or so?

> >

> > So my questions are: How soon after surgery would I be able to

fly?

> > And how long do I really NEED to have someone with me? I'm a

pretty

> > capable person -- live alone, travel alone, take care of myself

> when

> > I'm sick, etc. But is it realistic to think I could cope alone

> within

> > three or four days of surgery? I know it probably wouldn't be a

> good

> > idea for those of you doing upper, but I'm just doing lower ....

> >

> > Thanks!

> > Luna

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Don't know about being alone, but I was flying 5 days after my surgery

and I had no problems. Just make sure that you drink and swallow a lot

because due to the surgery, your sinusarea is all swollen. I would

prefer having someone travel with me in the airplane, to watch out for

you that people don't accidentally bump into you plus that person can

take care of the waiting in line stuff.

Nathalie

> > > I'm trying to schedule my surgery (lower adv.) for July, but I'm

> > > struggling to find a friend that can stay with me in Seattle the

> > > entire time the surgeon requires me to be there (eight days).

> I'll

> > be

> > > coming from Montana, which is a solid day of driving time. My

> two

> > good

> > > friends here live several hours beyond me, even. They both have

> > > businesses that make it impossible for them to be gone for 10

> > days.

> > >

> > > So I'm trying to figure out how to make this work. I might be

> able

> > to

> > > juggle them both somehow -- with one coming out for the first

> five

> > > days and the other for the second five days. Or if we all fly,

> that

> > > shaves off about a day. But having three of us going gets

> > expensive.

> > > Maybe just one friend could fly out in time for the surgery and

> > leave

> > > within three days or so?

> > >

> > > So my questions are: How soon after surgery would I be able to

> fly?

> > > And how long do I really NEED to have someone with me? I'm a

> pretty

> > > capable person -- live alone, travel alone, take care of myself

> > when

> > > I'm sick, etc. But is it realistic to think I could cope alone

> > within

> > > three or four days of surgery? I know it probably wouldn't be a

> > good

> > > idea for those of you doing upper, but I'm just doing lower ....

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Luna

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Nathalie. Did you have upper or just lower surgery? I'm

wondering because I hear a lot of people talking about sinus

congestion, but I'm wondering if that applies to me if I'm just having

lower? I'll be flying alone but it's only an hour and a half flight. I

will remember to drink a lot. Luna

[Guest guest]

wow. . that's really brave of you. go girl!!

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<DIV><FONT face= " Lucida Handwriting, Cursive "

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<br><br><br> & gt;From: aruwoman

& lt;no_reply & gt;<br> & gt;Reply-To:

orthognathicsurgerysupport <br> & gt;To:

orthognathicsurgerysupport <br> & gt;Subject: [Orthognathic

Surgery Support ] Re: Flying and coping alone after surgery?<br> & gt;Date:

Fri, 20 May 2005 02:26:50 -0000<br> & gt;<br> & gt;<br> & gt;Don't know about

being alone, but I was flying 5 days after my surgery<br> & gt;and I had no

problems. Just make sure that you drink and swallow a lot<br> & gt;because due

to the surgery, your sinusarea is all swollen. I would<br> & gt;prefer having

someone travel with me in the airplane, to watch out for<br> & gt;you that

people don't accidentally bump into you plus that person can<br> & gt;take

care of the waiting in line

stuff.<br> & gt;<br> & gt;Nathalie<br> & gt;<br> & gt;<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; I'm trying to schedule

my surgery (lower adv.) for July, but I'm<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; struggling

to find a friend that can stay with me in Seattle the<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt;

entire time the surgeon requires me to be there (eight days).<br> & gt; & gt;

I'll<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; be<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; coming from Montana, which

is a solid day of driving time. My<br> & gt; & gt; two<br> & gt; & gt; & gt;

good<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; friends here live several hours beyond me, even.

They both have<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; businesses that make it impossible for

them to be gone for 10<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; days.<br> & gt; & gt; & gt;

& gt;<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; So I'm trying to figure out how to make this

work. I might be<br> & gt; & gt; able<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; to<br> & gt; & gt; & gt;

& gt; juggle them both somehow -- with one coming out for the first<br> & gt;

& gt; five<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; days and the other for the second five

days. Or if we all fly,<br> & gt; & gt; that<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; shaves off

about a day. But having three of us going gets<br> & gt; & gt; & gt;

expensive.<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; Maybe just one friend could fly out in

time for the surgery and<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; leave<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt;

within three days or so?<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt;<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; So my

questions are: How soon after surgery would I be able to<br> & gt; & gt;

fly?<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; And how long do I really NEED to have someone

with me? I'm a<br> & gt; & gt; pretty<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; capable person --

live alone, travel alone, take care of myself<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; when<br> & gt;

& gt; & gt; & gt; I'm sick, etc. But is it realistic to think I could cope

alone<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; within<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; three or four days of

surgery? I know it probably wouldn't be a<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; good<br> & gt;

& gt; & gt; & gt; idea for those of you doing upper, but I'm just doing lower

.....<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt;<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; & gt; Thanks!<br> & gt; & gt; & gt;

& gt; Luna<br> & gt; & gt; & gt;<br> & gt; & gt; & gt;<br> & gt; & gt; & gt;<br> & gt; & gt;

& gt;<br> & gt; & gt; & gt; ---------------------------------<br> & gt; & gt; & gt;

[Guest guest]

I only had lower, and I reallt didn't have any congestion. I was given

a nose spray to use for congestion, and I used it occasionally for the

first 3 or 4 days, but I haven't used it since.

> Thanks, Nathalie. Did you have upper or just lower surgery? I'm

> wondering because I hear a lot of people talking about sinus

> congestion, but I'm wondering if that applies to me if I'm just

having

> lower? I'll be flying alone but it's only an hour and a half flight.

I

> will remember to drink a lot. Luna

[Guest guest]

Thanks, . That's good to know. Luna