FrankTalk.org

I'm having my surgery done on January the 9th. My flight is about 4 hours connecting in Atlanta. Looking for list of items to prepare for long flight. Example Jock Strap Jogging pants ice pack etc. Any suggestions

deleted

Let the airline know that you'll need a wheelchair. If you have to go from one concourse to another in Atlanta it's a long walk, even with the tram. You'll also want to request a preboard so you can get a seat up front and by the window. You don't want someone having to step over you to go to the bathroom.

For your travel back home, long shirts that do not have to be tucked into your waistband.

Arrange with the airlines you will use to have wheelchair assistance. You probably do not need it, but it is convenient not to have to walk long distances nor stand for long periods of time.

The hospital gave me a jock strap (larger than I would normally require-for the swelling) but you might want to ask for two or bring your own if they don't give you one.

The hospital urinal was a blessing. Peeing into a toilet was problematic, standing or sitting. If you are travelling with a catheter in place this should not be an issue. A towel is wise or bundle of paper towels.

Great advice

For ice packs I used bags of dry beans. You can use dry peas also. They don't melt like ice or frozen corn or peas and conform to your body much better. I used a new zip lock bag each time I iced to keep things clean. You most likely will need 4x4 gauze pads to cover the incision. I took antibiotic ointment but my doc gave me a tube of the stuff he wanted me to use. I only needed over the counter pain meds afterwards so take along what your doc says to or buy it when you get there. I did take a jock strap and used it half way through the time indicated on my discharge instructions. The one I was in after surgery was looking in need of washing. I think I switched straps when I took my first shower. I took sweat pants for the flight home. I took a package of new white brief's and washed them with bleach and then put them in zip lock bag's to keep them as clean as possible. I used alcohol wipes after showering. I do this all the time and wipe down my groin to dry things out. You might try that first though. It will burn any open or irritated place. I did not wipe the incision and it did burn the razor nicks I had from the surgery shaving. If you are alone for this you need to do something for food and drinks. I had my room set up for my return from surgery so I could rest and stay in bed as much as possible. So a room with a frig and micro wave was a must. If you have some one to get meals and drinks that would be best as you can rest more. A frig for the dry beans for ice packs (placed in the freezer part) is best but if you have some one to get fresh ice every time you ice it would work. Took along a plastic pee bottle I bought in a pharmacy. I had trouble using it in bed as I planned though. I had a weight lifting restriction after surgery. So you should make arrangements not to exceed that.

Thanks

Do not forget to take all necessary medical documentation with you, esp. when going through security. You never know what TSA officers are going through that day, so just make sure to minimize the time with them.
For me, sitting was a problem afterwards. You will want to avoid your perinium area (between your asshole and balls), it will feel like your whole pelvic area is pushing up into you...lots of pillows (Oxcy did not work in relieving this pain). You will be told you need to recline, or lay down.
How long are you sticking around before you head back? I thought I would go back to work the following Monday, surgery was on a Thursday...NOT! Returned to work a week later.
Just in case, take pics of your junk before you go in, then take pics afterwards.

Good luck!