Guest guest Posted March 19, 2011 Report Share Posted March 19, 2011 , The only restrictions I had with respect to the car was about being the driver...I assume you would not be? The other point that DrRand made had to do with the risks of collision until the fusion started to solidify. I know that no one ever thinks they will be in an accident....but it is worth considering before you take to the roads. I was driven about my small town at 4 weeks post op. No highways and speed limits on the island are around 25 miles per hour. It is very rare for there to be anything other than an accident while someone is backing in this town...although one slippery day I was rear-ended (before my surgery!). With regard to shopping...my first few outing were to the grocery store and I was surprised how tiring it was...and how many things that I wanted were on low shelves...so be sure to bring someone with you to assist in getting any items you might need...as well as carrying and lifting them into the car if they are heavier that you are permitted to lift. There is a file for general guidelines for when most patients are granted resumption of post op activities...but it doesnt specifically answer your questions...sorry. If you feel its safe and you are up to it and can abide by all the restrictions...including wearing your brace....why not try. Just be prepared to change your mind or " bail out " on the trip if you feel its too much. Take Care, Cam > > I can't find any documentation from Dr. Glazer and certainly won't make a > weekend emergent call for this. How soon after surgery were you permitted to > ride in a car (<30 minutes)? And how soon could you briefly shop (with > assistance)? > > I really, really want to get a few things at a store today, which are not > the types of things I can just put on a shopping list and send my husband. > I am confident that I can handle it physically. > > Would your surgeon have allowed this three weeks post-op? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2011 Report Share Posted March 19, 2011 ,My first trips out were to the store, and I called ahead, and my grocery store I frequent sent a courtesy clerk along with me to reach anything I needed. I used that service till I was around 3 months post op, and still would ask for help with low things. Stores you frequent are really more than will to be helpful, all you have to do is ask. You'll be tired, the driving even if you don't do it, then add the time in the store, will exhaust you. Don't overdo, and say add lunch to the mix. Pacing oneself is a learned skill. Colorado SpringsOn Sat, Mar 19, 2011 at 8:40 AM, cammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote: , The only restrictions I had with respect to the car was about being the driver...I assume you would not be? The other point that DrRand made had to do with the risks of collision until the fusion started to solidify. I know that no one ever thinks they will be in an accident....but it is worth considering before you take to the roads. I was driven about my small town at 4 weeks post op. No highways and speed limits on the island are around 25 miles per hour. It is very rare for there to be anything other than an accident while someone is backing in this town...although one slippery day I was rear-ended (before my surgery!). With regard to shopping...my first few outing were to the grocery store and I was surprised how tiring it was...and how many things that I wanted were on low shelves...so be sure to bring someone with you to assist in getting any items you might need...as well as carrying and lifting them into the car if they are heavier that you are permitted to lift. There is a file for general guidelines for when most patients are granted resumption of post op activities...but it doesnt specifically answer your questions...sorry. If you feel its safe and you are up to it and can abide by all the restrictions...including wearing your brace....why not try. Just be prepared to change your mind or " bail out " on the trip if you feel its too much. Take Care, Cam > > I can't find any documentation from Dr. Glazer and certainly won't make a > weekend emergent call for this. How soon after surgery were you permitted to > ride in a car (<30 minutes)? And how soon could you briefly shop (with > assistance)? > > I really, really want to get a few things at a store today, which are not > the types of things I can just put on a shopping list and send my husband. > I am confident that I can handle it physically. > > Would your surgeon have allowed this three weeks post-op? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 I did go out on my brief shopping trip yesterday -- passenger in car, craft store (yes, yarn was the ever so important item), and fast food drive through lunch (eat in car for comfort. More than anything, I relished my first post-surgery outing. Now replying to specific concerns of Cam's: * I was not, nor would I feel safe being, the driver. I didn't drive often before surgery for the same reasons. * I did go on the highway, but the prolific potholes on the survive On Mar 19, 2011, at 10:40 AM, cammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote: , The only restrictions I had with respect to the car was about being the driver...I assume you would not be? The other point that DrRand made had to do with the risks of collision until the fusion start to solidify. I know that no one ever thinks they will be in an accident....but it is worth considering before you take to the roads. I was driven about my small town at 4 weeks post op. No highways and speed limits on the island are around 25 miles per hour. It is very rare for there to be anything other than an accident while someone is backing in this town...although one slippery day I was rear-ended (before my surgery!). With regard to shopping...my first few outing were to the grocery store and I was surprised how tiring it was...and how many things that I wanted were on low shelves...so be sure to bring someone with you to assist in getting any items you might need...as well as carrying and lifting them into the car if they are heavier that you are permitted to lift. There is a file for general guidelines for when most patients are granted resumption of post op activities...but it doesnt specifically answer your questions...sorry. If you feel its safe and you are up to it and can abide by all the restrictions...including wearing your brace....why not try. Just be prepared to change your mind or " bail out " on the trip if you feel its too much. Take Care, Cam > > I can't find any documentation from Dr. Glazer and certainly won't make a > weekend emergent call for this. How soon after surgery were you permitted to > ride in a car (<30 minutes)? And how soon could you briefly shop (with > assistance)? > > I really, really want to get a few things at a store today, which are not > the types of things I can just put on a shopping list and send my husband. > I am confident that I can handle it physically. > > Would your surgeon have allowed this three weeks post-op? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 (cont.)…on the surface roads will definitely be hit, and concern me about their safety.* On Mar 20, 2011, at 8:43 AM, Curran <melissacurran530@...> wrote: I did go out on my brief shopping trip yesterday -- passenger in car, craft store (yes, yarn was the ever so important item), and fast food drive through lunch (eat in car for comfort. More than anything, I relished my first post-surgery outing. Now replying to specific concerns of Cam's: * I was not, nor would I feel safe being, the driver. I didn't drive often before surgery for the same reasons. * I did go on the highway, but the prolific potholes on the surface roads also concern me on every drove because they are unavoidable -- and painful. * My husband helped me reach things, but I also squat to reach low things. It's still not easy, but I'm getting quite a bit stronger. Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 Hi ... At UCSF, we let patients ride in cars as soon as they're released from the hospital. We tell them to get out of the car every 45-60 minutes for a short rest. And, you should feel free to shop as soon as you're up to it. -- > > I can't find any documentation from Dr. Glazer and certainly won't make a > weekend emergent call for this. How soon after surgery were you permitted to > ride in a car (<30 minutes)? And how soon could you briefly shop (with > assistance)? > > I really, really want to get a few things at a store today, which are not > the types of things I can just put on a shopping list and send my husband. > I am confident that I can handle it physically. > > Would your surgeon have allowed this three weeks post-op? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 I had surgery with Dr. Glazer in 2001... I don't remember any specific limitations, but I lived in Boston, and remember being pretty uncomfortable in the car for the first 6-8 weeks post-op, due in no small part to the potholes. It was more comfortable to walk - realizing I would be stopping every block or two to sit down. And I used Peapod, which delivered groceries, etc., quite a bit. Just be gentle with yourself - the lack of energy can be the hardest thing to accept post-op. Carolyn > > > > > > I can't find any documentation from Dr. Glazer and certainly won't make a > > > weekend emergent call for this. How soon after surgery were you permitted > > to > > > ride in a car (<30 minutes)? And how soon could you briefly shop (with > > > assistance)? > > > > > > I really, really want to get a few things at a store today, which are not > > > the types of things I can just put on a shopping list and send my > > husband. > > > I am confident that I can handle it physically. > > > > > > Would your surgeon have allowed this three weeks post-op? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 melissa, I went to a store in three weeks. I lifted nothing in or out of the cart or car. I also didn't do the driving. It was exhausting. C > > I can't find any documentation from Dr. Glazer and certainly won't make a > weekend emergent call for this. How soon after surgery were you permitted to > ride in a car (<30 minutes)? And how soon could you briefly shop (with > assistance)? > > I really, really want to get a few things at a store today, which are not > the types of things I can just put on a shopping list and send my husband. > I am confident that I can handle it physically. > > Would your surgeon have allowed this three weeks post-op? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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