I will be having my lap surgery soon. 2 weeks after the surgery I will be taking an international flight. Total of 7 hours with a layover half way through.
Do any of you have experience flying after a Lap? Any suggestions?
With kindness
M.-
Written by
Mparstoy
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Yes I flew to Thailand a couple of weeks after mine, 7 hours then a 2 hour stop over then another 6ish hours. My partner got me a USB heating pad from Argos which I plugged into the seat and used on my lower back for the majority of the flight .
We requested special assistance at the airport (I have fibromyalgia too and struggle with walking) so were given a wheelchair so I didn’t have to walk through the airport. My partner pushed me when possible but sometimes the airport staff will assist. When we got to the airport we also enquired whether there were any extra legroom seats available and they moved us to the seats where you put up the bassinets - I think on long haul flights these are often saved until last minute in case families need them. This was a huge help to me as I could stretch my legs and move around easier.
The first flight from home was around 10pm so I took a sleeping tablet and some Valium and slept for around 5 hours.
Thank you for your message. Very kind of you to respond. How was the experience? Did you feel uncomfortable or have any pain? How important was it for you to have the heat?
It was okay - to be honest it was worth it for me as it’s something about the humidity and the heat that just makes my body feel a lot less sore. When it’s hot here in the UK it’s nowhere near the same as in Thailand. On a hot day here I feel almost as bad as I do when I’m too cold and can’t get warm. I just saw the flight as a means to an end really. I was uncomfortable and in pain yes but I don’t think any more so than I would have been at home anyway, except sitting in the same place for such a long time did worsen the lower back pain. The heat for me was crucial as when I am at home I have a heating pad and a hot water bottle on me pretty much constantly so I knew I’d need it.
Hopefully for you it will be worth it too and being away will aid your recovery be sure to stretch your body during your stop over x
Wonderful! Thank you! I am actually flying from Ecuador, where I live to the US for the surgery.
I will take your advice and look for a heat pad I can use. I am not sure the airplane will have the technology. It is not a very good airline. I'll look into it. Maybe give the airline a call.
I don't think there is a woman who suffers from this that does not call her heat pad her best friend!
Have a look for a USB heat pad rather than a plug in one, the one I have also comes with a power pack like you’d use for extra battery for your phone. So you could use with one of these if there is no power on the plane. The one I have is the brand Beurer and is called a ‘portable heated belt’.
Good luck and take care. Hope it all goes well for you. I always hear great things about surgery for endo in the US so I’m sure you are going to the right place x
I flew a week after mine, not as long of a flight though. It was okay, I wouldn't do it again just because of the discomfort of sitting for so long and trying to navigate the airport whisky dealing with pain wasn't ideal but it didn't do any actual harm. I would make sure you have your pain killers with you, take some dressings just in case your clothes rub the wounds at all on your flight and holiday and take it easy, especially for the day after you land.
It really depends on how extensive your lap is. My first lap I could have taken such a flight. Second lap, it would have been nightmare. Try and ask at the desk if they can put you next to empty seats if there are any so you can stretch and lie down
I will warn you, it will be a rough time. 2 weeks post op and I was barely leaving my bed! Make sure your stay caught up on medication and bring a pillow to put between your belly and the seat belt. I would recommend bringing an electric heat pad or something along those lines as well to help with pain. Best of luck
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