If you have a relative or a friend that can sacrifice their time for you I recommend you have someone with you. I stayed 3 days in the hospital I had the gastric bypass I don,t know which one you are having, it was barely enough 4 me I hardly recovered from pain and the anesthesia. In a hotel all by yourself I wouldn't do it THIS IS ONCE IN A LIFE TIME THING ARRANGE SOMEONE TO BE WITH YOU. BEST OF LUCK.

I agree, driving for 7 - 8 hours after surgery is super risky. Blood clots can form within the first 6 weeks. Not to scare you but to make you aware and for your own safety. If you do drive, or someone else drives you, you MUST stop every 30 minutes and stretch your legs, walk around for like 10 minutes and then continue. That's the safest thing i would say. Also, you really do need someone to help you. To stay with you, I don't know how i would have managed. I was in the hospital for 7 days and if my family wasn't there for me, I would have lost my mind. I would have cried every day. I had a few complications. I wish you the best of luck sweets, but please ask someone to be there for you. I'm sure they have vacation time, it's the beginning of the new year. This is your "life" on the line here, nothing to sneeze at.

Good luck, keep us updated. :)

My prayers are with you! :)

I have a dear friend who is retired and is happy to go with me.
However he doesn't have a passport and he doesn't drive.
I have worked on the passport thing with him all day in an effort to expedite it.
However I just don't know how up to that long drive I will be :(

Oh did I say I would rather cut off my nose than not attend the surgery.
I could wait another 8 months to a year for a spot in Canada to open up:(

Sorry. I am having RNY

No need to wait. Maybe you can meet someone on here from the area of your surgery that you can establish a friendship with that would be so kind to be there for you. If you feel comfortable with it. I would do it, but i live in California. :)

Steph had a great idea, put it out there to a local person near the hospital, maybe you could contact a local church or womens group, what about a local GPB support group from the hosptal that you will be attending? The support groups are full of great people who love to share. Heck people are really good if you give it a chance. I am not going to tell you this to scare you, I just had my surgery this past Monday, they sent me home Tues morning and believe me you will not be able to drive let alone keep your eyes clear and open for 8 hrs at a time. Sort of like the book "If you give a mouse a cookie" You have to drink fluids, pee, you'll need pain meds, drink, pee, sleep. and on and on. Yesterday was the first day that I could tollerate anything but pjs on my waist, This is Major Surgery, this has major rules to follow or you will be in bigger trouble. My heart goes out to you in a big way I know that I would of tried anything to have this surgery. Don't get too bummed out, I believe that things always work out for a reason.

I live near Lansing, MI and I have to tell you Traverse City is a very BEAUTIFUL, FRIENDLY. SAFE place to be (we sometime go there for fun and relaxation), unfortunately I do not know any one who lives near there or I would definitely try to help you set up something. I don't believe the doc would even allow you to drive home alone, that far, that soon after surgery. I also can tell you I was in the hospital 2 1/2 days and the bill was well over $30,000 so the sooner they get you "out" the cheaper it will be. What do you mean by your "stent"?? I had a drain tube but that came out the morning I left the hospital. I was blessed and didn't have any pain/complications after surgery and may have been able to handle a long car ride (NOT drive though) but it is very important that you not sit for very long periods of time because of blood clots. Have you thought about possibly taking a train/Amtrak? You could get up and walk while it's still moving and it might be quicker. I would highly recommend that someone come with you just to be there in case you need help. Remember if you are staying in a motel and have a cell phone and you need emergency help, DIAL 911. They will be there within minutes. Wish I could help more.

Did you have a choice of where they send you?? There are many wonderful hospitals in Detroit/Ann Arbor and Lansing that specialize in bariactric surgery and they would be much closer for you.

What a wonderful idea.
I do know Traverse City is a very nice place from my visit.
Sometimes you hear people in the States can be ...well... "different" from the "always polite" Canadians but the impression I got from Traverse City was that they were even nicer than Canadians... go figure. I mean my physiologist new I was coming and went out, shoveled his walkway (personally) and waited outside to flag me in because there was a huge show storm that day and he felt bad for me. I have never had a doctor in Canada do that.
OK so I will put it out there...
If there is anyone in Traverse City Michigan who is truly interested in being an angel of mercy please let me know.
I am a shy but very pleasant individual who absolutely does not wish to impose herself on anyone.
I recognize that we are a special group who are strongly bonded by this experience which some may not understand. In this instance perhaps someone may wish to lend a sister a hand. I would be eternally grateful.
I go to Grand Traverse Surgery PC on West Front St. and my doctors name is David Kam.
This support group may not have someone from that area willing to do this.
Can anyone think of who I should contact to inquire?
As this is a relatively new thing to us up in the north we have no support groups for WLS. I will have to rely heavily for my support from my good friend who had the surgery and encouraged me to go and online support groups.
I know if I asked my friend that she would take me but her husband is not working so this would be a strain on them financially. She is a wonderful person who has been an enormous support. I just can't put her out at this time.
Oh... I am sorry by stent I mean drainage tube. They are saying that the tube will be taken out in a week.
I am thinking my daughter could drive me across the border at Sault Ste Marie to Traverse City and come and get me when I can come home. From there someone can come to The Sault and bring me home to Sudbury Ontario (home).
Well you never know :)
Thanks for the great advice.
My fingers are crossed.

I wish I lived there to help you out........I live in NY.
I liked the suggestion of calling your Drs office and asking about a support group, and getting a contact from there. The church is another good option.
I wouldn't consider driving at all and would definetly suggest you have a pillow for a long ride to hold across your belly.....even at a week out a good pothole could hurt like hell.
Not that I wish you a hard time with surgery, I sure hope you get to spend at least 3 nights, but I would want someone there with you at the hotel. We all heal differently, but I don't think you'd in no way be ready to be alone. As a matter of fact when I was discharged from the hospital they said I wasn't to be alone for at least 48 hours.
If your friend is going through a time without her husband working, she might like a break from the stress at home. You will never know unless you ask. I've said on here many times this is the time to be selfish and think of us............many times people want to help, they just don't want to step on toes and ask if you want the help. Reach out, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help you.
Good Luck and keep us informed.

Kelly

I really don't have a choice of where the surgery will be done at this late date. I have already been to the information session, met with the phycologist, dietitian and my surgeon. My only choice at this point is to wait another year to have this surgery in Canada.
Also the train is a good idea although I don't know if I can get there from here.
I will check it out.
Oh one more thing... They do have a place that is very close and is affiliated with the hospital. It is 40$ a night and is very "no frills". No TV or phone in your room, No bathtub etc. I know I can get a very comfortable room with loads of extras for the same price under a "medical" at the Americinn. My daughter and I stayed there on our first visit (very comfy). However they may keep a better eye on you at the place associated with the hospital.
Hmmmmm

An an angel came to visit me today. She knew of my troubles and she told me she knew just what I needed. She told me she would take care of me, support me and be by my side every step of the way. Warm tears of relief and gratitude streamed down my face as I wondered how I could ever show her just how thankful I am and how happy I am to call her my friend.

This is my facebook thought for the day.
I heart my bypass buddies :)

Just to clarify my friend who has encouraged me the whole way is ready, willing and able to drive, care for, console, support and if necessary pay in order to come to my aid.
I have no words to say how unspeakably grateful I am to her.

Hope, your last entry actually brought tears to my eyes. What a great friend and I know that in her heart she needs no repayment! The things we do for our friends never need to be repaid and we know, as they do, that we will always be there for each other! Thank God for your "angel" tonite and every nite, because you truly are blessed to have her. Everyone is different in their healing process and can tolerate pain in different levels. I, myself, have a very high pain tolerance and a very stubborn streak about being "sick" or "down". I was told by my team that as soon as I was off the pain meds for 24 hours I could drive, but not to lift anything over 5 pounds for 6 weeks. I was driving my grandkids back and forth to school, games and their other activities after the 5th day of surgery. Probably could have driven the eight hours but it probably would have taken me at least 2 days! Glad you don't have to do that now! Glad to have you with us as well! Make sure you check out Jerry's checklist for what to bring to the hospital. Chapstick and a pillow topped my list!