International flight post lumbar surgery

[Hooch]

I've been wondering, what do you do about sitting in a plane for however many hours after a lumbar op? If there has been a fusion in there, well that would be even worse than a disc replacement. You just couldn't do it, doctors orders.

How have people handled this?

[mike86]

I've been wondering, what do you do about sitting in a plane for however many hours after a lumbar op? If there has been a fusion in there, well that would be even worse than a disc replacement. You just couldn't do it, doctors orders.

How have people handled this?

I'm getting a lumbar adr in london in 2 weeks. I booked a first class flight on the way back on the new bed seats in continental. I have no other choice but to spend money on that seat.

[trkdoc714]

The flight from Stenum last year took about 8 hours. They had given me a wedge shaped cushion to keep me from bending at the hips too far. It helped a great deal. If the hospital doesn't provide you with one, you could take a contoured, memory foam pillow along for the return trip.

Getting up and walking around or just standing helps a lot while you're in the air.

Depending on the number of days after surgery before you come home, and your pain levels during a "normal" day (your new normal), you'll want to ask your surgeon if you can increase your pain meds for the trip home.

Don't hesitate to ask for help. Demand it if necessary. I had a security agent from TSA tell me to "tough it out" instead of allowing me a cart for the carry on and laptop I had with me through customs.

Good luck! I hope to see you report no more back pain soon!

Bob

[Cindylou]

I stayed in Straubing Germany for 3 weeks after my 3 level lumbar adr before we headed home to Minnesota, also an 8 hour flight. I was fortunate enough to have a first class seat. Honestly, with 3 levels done, and having to have two blood transfusions due to blood loss during surgery, and having to be reopened due to an infection and be readmitted for a couple days, on top of my 10 days in the hospital, I don't think I could have done it without a first class seat. The irony of it also was, when I first got to my plane seat (after surgery), of all the seats in first class mine was the one that happened to be broken. It wouldn't recline at all. What are the chances? Fortunately, after I talked to a flight attendant, she made an announcement and a gracious woman traded her seat for mine. I think they gave her an incentive as well (free round air fare, something like that), but I was eternally grateful. Even in first class, by the time we landed, I was still in over the top pain. I can't even imagine what shape I would have been in coach. Spend the money if you can. You won't regret it. CL

[KBear]

Tell them you are handicap when checking in. They will provide a wheelchair and even push you through the airport. We got to go through the quick security line (where the pilots and flight attendants get to go) and we boarded first. They had someone at our home destination with a wheelchair waiting for me as soon as I came off the plane. They pushed me through the airport once again, got my bags and took me to the curb where they waited with me for my friend to get the car. I highly recommend doing this, after surgery it was Godsend.

[ajj1001]

you can buy inflatable wedge cushions, mine goes everywhere with me.

[helmut]

British Airways business Class, the best business class travel I have seen, of course bed lay down all the way. Obviously don't just buy the seat as it is ridiculously expensive, open a frequent flyer account with a partner company that allows you to buy as many additional miles as it takes to reach 120000 miles, which is required for the biz seat. That way you will get the ticket for about $3k.

Then just layback and watch movies, no problem.

[Cindylou]

Good point helmut. CL

[trkdoc714]

Alison,

One problem with the inflatable cushions, what happens if you have a blow out at 45,000 feet ?

Bob

[Hooch]

Tell them you are handicap when checking in.

Thx for the ideas.