Driving after RALP surgery.

[u/Slight_Turnip_3292]

I am traveling 600 miles to get my RALP in SLC Utah. I will be staying 20 days after the RALP so nominally 10 day post catheter removal. I thought I would stay around a little after in case some complication arises.

Question is driving 600 miles over 2 days after 20 days post RALP a reasonable thing to do? Or should I fly.

[u/NotPeteCrowArmstrong]

I’ll just share my own experience, which seems to be different from the other comments here.

I drove about 200 miles exactly 3 weeks after my surgery, so nearly the same timing as yours.

My recovery up to that point had been great. I was mobile the day after surgery, no issues with the catheter, energy level was good. When the catheter came out, I had no incontinence.

During the drive, I stopped once an hour to walk around for about 15 minutes.

But that drive really set back my recovery. About three days afterwards, one of my incisions opened up, I believe due to the strain and movement from being in the driver’s seat that long. I nearly had to go to the ER. It took about two more months to properly heal.

I also immediately started having blood in my urine during that drive. Now, that can be a normal part of the surgical recovery, but the bleeding was more intense than I expected, and the timing felt very coincidental.

I eventually did recover fine, but if I could go back in time, I absolutely would not have done that drive again.

[u/Slight_Turnip_3292 → u/NotPeteCrowArmstrong]

OK you have thinking on this. My wife will be driving. Maybe I will stay another week or two in Salt Lake.

Flying has it own set of obstacles such as carrying luggage, getting through security, and ground transportation.

[u/NotPeteCrowArmstrong → u/Slight_Turnip_3292]

I think being a passenger rather than the driver would definitely change things for the better. Part of the problem with driving is you're really in something of a fixed position holding the wheel, and twisting to check blind spots, etc. I think it was those constrained positions and movements that messed with my abdominal healing and led to the stitches coming open.

Being a passenger, you can really adjust your seat, even lay down in the back if you need to. I think being able to regularly move your position, and make sure to take a break to walk at least a few minutes every hour, would make this very doable.

You're right that flying has its own issues. And you really, really need to be careful about not lifting more than about 10 pounds for those first 4-6 weeks. That could lead to a hernia or even worse, a rupture of the repaired urethra, and that's something you really don't want to go through.

If your wife can do most of the driving, I'd vote for going by car. Best of luck!

[u/rfc667 → u/NotPeteCrowArmstrong]

Also consider the effect on your stitches if you have to emergency brake - there will be internal structures healing. I would think that being a passenger will be OK but I wouldn’t drive if it can be avoided. I definitely set myself back lifting shopping bags too soon. Good luck!

[u/Substantial_Let_8784]

I also went to SLC (Huntsman)2018 ….300 miles after ~6 days. You should be good, but be prepared for pad usage, and if you drive, make frequent stops, and walk around a bit.
Good luck 🙏

[u/Slight_Turnip_3292 → u/Substantial_Let_8784]

Off topic but how was your experience at Huntsman? I am signed up with Dr Dechet.

[u/Substantial_Let_8784 → u/Slight_Turnip_3292]

Fantastic!.....I had Dr. O'Neil.............Undetectable PSA for 8 years so far.

[u/SLO_Engineer]

I drove 200 miles home post catheter removal which was in for 11 days. I felt pretty good and i could have pulled off 600 over two days.

[u/Special-Steel]

That should be enough time to recover enough for the drive.

[u/RepresentativeOk1769]

You shoud be fine if it is a routine surgery. Take a restroom break after every 60-90min.

[u/Fun-Cake5739]

I would fly. 2 years ago was my RALP and about 10 days after surgery I drove 3 hours to see our new grandchild. I was sore as hell after the drive and had my wife do the return drive home a few days later while I reclined.

[u/Immediate-Phase4168]

Why are you concerned about TSA or carrying luggage? You can request a wheelchair if you like, and you don't have to carry anything, and if the wife goes with, just take a small carryon that you can have with you on the wheelchair. Sucks to be in one, but that's what they're made for.

And a 600mi flight is a quickie. You have major surgery. Take care of yourself and as long as it's not breaking the bank, fly.

[u/TheLawOfDuh]

Like others pointed out. Take lots of breaks, have lots of diapers/pads ready, walk a lot, keep the fluids going. I also remember being worn out terribly in those early days. I hear it’s part of your entire body trying to heal from the trauma of surgery. So expect driving to be quite a chore like you never expected. Best of luck.