How soon after surgery would you travel?

[indeed]

Hello guys

I'll have surgery with Dr. Clavell in May. I travel internationally, roughly a 12-14 hour flight.
Dr. Clavell highly advised me to fly home only 2 days after surgery. He repeated this multiple times and is very confident it will be doable. He sais the nerve blocks will help me.

From what i read here, most people that travel stay longer. I read stories of severe pain for the first days/weeks.

I'm torn between following his advice or just renting an air bnb and staying in houston for like 3 weeks.

Does anyone have experience with flying so long shortly after surgery? Any advice?

Thanks!

[Jage64]

Do exactly what he says. I was implanted by Dr. Clavell 2 weeks ago. Surgery Wednesday around noon, and I flew back home to CA (~4 hour flight) on the 8am Friday flight.

He'll give you a nerve block that you will LOVE when you fly. Waiting for that to wear off is HUGE a mistake, IMO. You'll want to be home in your own bed, your own shower, your own kitchen, etc. Staying in an AirBNB for 3 weeks out of town would be misery.

I flew on Southwest, and paid the highest fare to make sure I boarded first and got the exit row with my wife. Turns out we had an empty seat between us too. I could stretch out, switch hips, find a completely comfortable spot whenever I needed to. The flight was no issue at all. (and I'm 6'5" 290#)

I have never taken the heavy pain meds after surgery, just Tylenol and Advil on an alternating schedule so I was on something every 3 hours. I was back at work in my home office on the next Monday, 5 days after surgery. No pain at all.

I spent the time between surgery and my flight flat on my back with ice until we left for the airport. No swelling to speak of.

I assume you've watched Dr. Clavell's travel video (7:30 if you want to go right to the travel home):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m83H1jQSh6k

[atul21]

My experience with nerve block was different. Although my surgeon is not Dr. Clavell but Dr. Billy Cordon. I had a lot of pain for 2 days but travelled on 3rd day on a 3 hour flight. The flight was ok but definitely not easy.
In the end one should put faith in their surgeon and go with their advise. Dr. Billy told me to fly after 3 days. I did that.

I would buy a flat bed seat on way back though if I were you.

[Old Guy]

That is one long flight, but if the doc says the nerve block will allow you to do it, go for it.
I agree with Jage64 that you'll probably want to be home in your own bed. I'm going to assume you've read enough here at FT to know what things you will want to have ready for recovery time. Hopefully you can book a bed seat on the flight home. Best of luck.

[Jage64]

My experience with nerve block was different. I had a lot of pain for 2 days

I would submit that 1) you didn't have a nerve block or 2) the nerve block that was administered was not done correctly or 3) your body didn't respond to the nerve block like most do.
The definition of a nerve block is that you can't feel the pain...the nerves are blocked. Not every doctor uses a nerve block, are you sure Dr. Cordon did? Maybe he just numbed the area locally? That wears off much quicker in my experience, like going to the dentist.

The only uncomfortable part for me at the beginning was in my crus. It wasn't painful, just felt like two cylinders poking against it (strange, I know). I don't think ever in my life have I ever felt anything in my crus, but I could feel those tips. When I asked my Dr. about it he said that the crus is not something he's able to numb, so that made sense. Again, not pain, just sort of weird for a few days. I don't feel them at all now.

[ThailandBound]

My experience closely parallels Jage64, above. I too was implanted by Dr. Clavell on 1/4/23. So, just over 2 months postop and doing great.

I totally agree with Jage that you should make your trip home the day Dr. Clavell tells you. I share Jage's experience with the nerve block. It is very effective and though you will feel some discomfort, it won't be anything like acute pain. I totally understand your concerns about the "what ifs" should you find yourself in pain on the long flight home. But, I think staying in Houston for so long is a mistake.

We have another forum member here, Tokyo_123, who had his surgery in late December with Dr. Clavell and on the 3rd day he underwent a 13 hour flight to Tokyo. He reported an experience of generally being comfortable the entire ride home. He preceded me in surgery by a week, and so his report gave me confidence for my own 3 hour flight home. I still felt a bit self-conscious, numb, and kind of vulnerable frankly on the ride home. The only soreness was in the perinium area as i sat. If you're not shy, then i'd suggest maybe a donut cushion. I found one on Amazon that is a donut cushion with indentation carved out on the side to perfectly accomodate your package. I didn't have it on the flight home, and though it wasn't necessary, it would have made things a bit more comfortable. Once home, i used it everywhere. My office chair. The car. The dinner table.

Man, I don't want to be seen as a cheerleader for "my guy" because others report great results with their surgeon. That said, one consistent thing i keep reading is that the immediate post-op experience (as in the first 3-4 days) is consistently pain-free or pain-minimal for Dr. Clavell's patients. Whatever it is he uses, or does, it works!

Anyway, here's Tokyo's thread:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19941

I'm sure if you sent him a PM and asked for specifics or advice he'd be happy to share with you.

[atul21]

My experience with nerve block was different. I had a lot of pain for 2 days

I would submit that 1) you didn't have a nerve block or 2) the nerve block that was administered was not done correctly or 3) your body didn't respond to the nerve block like most do.
The definition of a nerve block is that you can't feel the pain...the nerves are blocked. Not every doctor uses a nerve block, are you sure Dr. Cordon did? Maybe he just numbed the area locally? That wears off much quicker in my experience, like going to the dentist.

I am not sure which is the case. But my operating report says I was treated for ED, peyronies disease and pudendal nerve block. In fact I remember Dr. Billy told me that along with nerve block to ease pain he adds some steriod in it which keeps the swelling to a minimum. We had even discussed that not many surgeons in USA give nerve block as yet and name of Dr. Clavell as being one who gives came up, along with Dr. Valenzuela from NYC.

[ThailandBound]

My experience with nerve block was different. I had a lot of pain for 2 days

How are you doing overall today Atul?

[Jage64]

I am not sure which is the case. But my operating report says I was treated for ED, peyronies disease and pudendal nerve block. In fact I remember Dr. Billy told me that along with nerve block to ease pain he adds some steriod in it which keeps the swelling to a minimum. We had even discussed that not many surgeons in USA give nerve block as yet and name of Dr. Clavell as being one who gives came up, along with Dr. Valenzuela from NYC.

Well atul21, it sure sounds like at least a nerve block was administered. Puzzling as to why you had so much pain.

As for the OP, there are at least 3 of Dr. Clavell's patients actively on FT right now that trusted Dr. Clavell and flew within a few days of surgery with very little or no discomfort. I'd trust Dr. Clavell's recommendation first, then the firsthand experiences of the three of us 2nd. I'd say being home will be exponentially better for your recovery than in an AirBNB in Houston.

Good luck to you, the run up to the actual surgery can be a slow mindgame, stay the course, you'll be fine.

[atul21]

How are you doing overall today Atul?

Much better TB. I wrote about it on my journal. Won’t hijack the OP’s thread