Complications after surgery

[huskerfan71]

I have a post op question for those of you that had to travel fairly great distances to have surgery. I will be having my surgery in January in Colorado (about a 10 hour drive from where I live) and I am concerned about complications after surgery.  I have read many posts about leaks and other complications, and now I am a little worried about how that would be handled with my NS being so far away.  I live in a rural community, and I am not certain out local doctors would be well versed in this surgery.

So, if there is a problem, what do you do?  Who do I call in this instance?

Thanks!

[selmaS]

  I know TCI said 14 days post op until u can leave depending on how u r doing and how far u live....

I am sure if there is an issue Dr O will do the same.

CSF leaks can be due to an underlying condition like ehlers-danlos or from over doing it post op....u need to rest a lot and then rest some more ...no matter how well u feel or if u feel u can do more....u need to rest, rest , rest.

[tlw1970]

I am 12 days post op and I can't ride in a car due to bumps. Not sure how I could fly 5 days post op. Definitely think that is too quick.

[huskerfan71]

Thanks Selma for your comment!

I will actually be flying home on Saturday, and I am having surgery on Tuesday.  Those plans were made with the advice from the NS office in Colorado.  I do have PCP that I really trust, and I do have a NL about an hour from home that I could always see.  But now I am wondering if that is too soon to come home.  I did get flight insurance, so we can change our flight as needed.

I have read some posts where people have to go and have a second surgery or have something done to fix a leak.  That's the thing I am most afraid of, does that happen very often?  I would hate to have to fly all the way back to CO to have something like that done.  Maybe I am just worrying for nothing...

[selmaS]

  Hi....get ur PCP well educated so he/she can watch over u or if u have a NL in ur area that knows Chiari....when u have to travel they have u stay in the area for 2 weeks to make sure u r ready to travel....I was not as far, but still had to travel...so my PCP was who helped me.....

so in the 3 weeks b4 I headed back for my incision to be looked at....I was ok with just my Dr here at home....at one point I had an issue and took pics and e-mailed my NS....and he consulted with my PCP as to how to handle the situation....

SO talk with ur PCP and NS as to how they can work together to help if u should have a need.


Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and pain free New Year !!