After Tubal Reversal - 4 Tips for Going Home
December 1st, 2008After tubal reversal surgery, many women find they have several questions. Those who travel to their surgeon especially have questions regarding their return trip and after they get home. We will provide answers to four of the most common in this article about tubal reanastomosis.
If you have decided to have your tubal reanastomosis done by a premiere surgeon such as Dr. Gary Berger of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, your first question will be about the flight home. How soon after the surgery can you leave? Now, if you are questioning why you would fly somewhere else to get this operation done, you should check out the author’s other articles on selecting a tubal reversal doctor or check the resources listed below.
You will have to spend at least one night at your hotel after tubal reversal surgery. In the morning, you should be checked by the doctor or a nurse. If you live within the continental U.S., you will then be free to fly home. So, you go home the day after the surgery. But, if you have further to travel, you would be wise to wait at least another day or two before heading back home.
Another question about travel after tubal reversal has to do with comfort on the flight. There are three things that are suggested to make your trip more comfortable. One is to have a small pillow that you can lay over your incision area to help provide support.
Be sure to take your pain medication along with a couple ibuprofen just before the flight to help take the edge off the pain. Most women have little pain after a tubal reanastomosis but the effort and bumpiness of a flight or car trip could aggravate things for you. Of course, you should check with your own surgeon to learn what he suggests. Also, if you do get a little motion sick, you might want to check into some medication to help with that. Discuss this with your surgeon.
If it is available, a direct flight is the best way to go. Tell the gate attendant that you just had surgery and need to board before the other passengers. Contact the appropriate person to have a wheel chair or cart waiting to get you around the airport. If you must change flights en route, this will be very helpful.
Seeing your doctor at home is usually the next question asked after tubal reversal. You want to know if you need to make an appointment to see him. If he is the one that sent you to the surgeon, it might be a good idea to go see him when you get home. But, otherwise, it is up to you and whether or not it would make you more comfortable to do so.
The last question for right after the tubal reversal is usually about how you contact your tubal reversal surgeon. In these days, not only should you have a phone number that you can use day or night, there should be other ways as well though there’s nothing like a phone for an emergency. Email could be one way to get more questions or concerns answered. A moderated message board is an even better way that also allows you to contact other women who have had or are considering tubal reanastomosis.