Travel after Surgery

Your operation has gone well.

Time for discharge.

Ok, how do I get into my car and get home?  Where's my car? Who's driving?  Do I need help?  Do I have food at home?  With all of the excitement of discharge, you might forget about the process of leaving the hospital and getting home.

Recommendations for Driving Home:

1. Have someone pack the car.  If you have been in the hospital more than overnight, you will have more than you anticipate, such as clothing, dressings, new medications, and flowers.    
2. Have someone clean the house, buy groceries, prepare your sleeping area (preferably on the 1st floor).
3. If you did not anticipate staying in the hospital, call your family or friend to pick up the 1977 C3 yellow Corvette you parked in the garage.
4. Find someone to drive.  You cannot drive!
5. Take your time but leave before dark.  You do not want to navigate steps at home in the dark.
6. Wear your seatbelt but bring something (a blanket) to pad your belly if you had an abdominal operation.
7. Elevate your legs.
8. Take breaks every 2 hours and walk around.

Plan carefully for long distance travel (> 200 miles).  Plan ahead.  Beware of weather delays, construction, road safety, etc.  Identify several places that you can stop and rest.  If necessary, identify places you can sleep overnight.  Long distance travel can result in nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and unanticipated pain if you don't have easy access to medications.
In theory, prolonged car travel may increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots).  However, if you take frequent breaks and walk around, this should not be a problem.
Remember:  If you have a dressing, cast, or health condition that prevents you from sitting in a passenger car, please discuss with your healthcare provider and arrangements can be made for safe transportation home.