travel after foot surgery

[significance]

I will be having surgery on my foot later this month, and will have to travel from Canberra to Brisbane for a meeting a couple of weeks after that. I should be (just) off crutches by then, but still in a surgical boot. My surgeon isn't particularly happy with me flying for longer than an hour so soon after the surgery, but says that it should be okay if he gives me blood-thinners and I let the airline know I will need assistance. What sort of assistance should I ask for, and what should I then expect? If be grateful to hear from anyone who has experienced this before.

I won't be able to carry my own bag, but can arrange to travel with a colleague who can do that for me.
I may not be able to move very quickly under my own steam - should I ask for a wheelchair or motorised transport? Or will it be enough to get to the airport and find my gate early? What do I need to do to avoid causing a delay for my fellow passengers when I board?
It might still be easier to move with crutches, as the foot will be very sore. If I bring crutches, is that a huge hassle at the security gate? Or would I need to check them in anyway?
I may be able to push my employer into paying for business class tickets if there is a medical need, though even my boss' boss' boss usually flies economy - do I need to do that? Will it make a huge difference to my level of discomfort?
Is there much difference between the way Qantas and Virgin treat passengers in these situations?
On arrival in Brisbane, I would normally take a train from the airport to the city centre. What is train travel in Brisbane like with a foot injury? Will I be better off taking a taxi?
I will ask the hotel if they have an accessible room, as that will give me some chance to be able to take a shower while keeping my foot and dressings dry. Is there anything else I need to think about, or plan in advance?

 

[VPS]

I flew Qantas after knee surgery a couple of years ago and they were great - they provided a lift on the cart and came and got me from the lounge. Don't do the air train in Brisbane - just get a taxi.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

We did a major trip in May last year 4 months after breaking my ankle and major surgery - 2 plates and 12 screws in my leg. - I was in a moon boot - 14 flights ! Limited weight bearing, no crutches but a walking stick. We were in business or first.

Definitely book assistance - you should be able to do this on the airlines website. I had a wheelchair pick me up at check in, take me to the lounge, then pick me up and take me to the plane. If you have crutches they will probably take them from you and put them in the coat cupboard on board. You will be first on but last off. Try to keep you leg elevated to reduce the swelling, and you will be surprised at just how much you feet swell after surgery ! If work will spring for business then do it. And definitely a taxi.

 

[cove]

Send someone else is what I am thinking. Trust your surgeon as getting feet so that they are perfect gets harder as you age.

 

[pagingjoan]

Significance:
I agree with Cove's comment above.

That said, I did have a situation last year, where there were compelling reasons for me to travel - long haul - some three weeks after foot surgery, which had entailed having "heels above head" for those three weeks post-surgery. I received my surgeon's less-than-enthusiastic clearance to fly just two days before departure.

I travelled QF, in F admittedly, and QF provided brilliant service at all points, on the ground and in the air.

If I HAD to do it again, I would, and would take advantage of all forms of assistance and definitely use the top-of-the-line specialist support hosiery, as I have done ever since this episode.

But, in your case, if it is for one business meeting and only two weeks after surgery, I would be using a video link or something similar for the meeting. The complications around foot surgery are not to be dismissed lightly. Wound infections are not uncommon either, and may set back your recovery.

Best of luck.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Send someone else is what I am thinking. Trust your surgeon as getting feet so that they are perfect gets harder as you age.

You can say that again ! 19 months down the track from my surgery and I still have problems. I have good days where I can walk on the flat no problems, but other days I have aches and pains in both legs. I always wear those elastic ankle supports if I know I need to do any walking as a pre-cautionary measure ( or I have them in my handbag !) I still cant go up or down stairs without pain. A hot bath or wheat pack certainly helps.

 

[get me outta here]

IF you decide to try it, do book a fully cancellable flight and don't proceed if you are forcing yourself to over look your doubts. Work - pffft, if it goes wrong you will be angry with yourself.

Your long term ability to use your feet is paramount, and feet take ALL the weight of the body and are very complex little things in the bigger scope of your bod.

I will be having surgery on my foot later this month, and will have to travel from Canberra to Brisbane for a meeting a couple of weeks after that. I should be (just) off crutches by then, but still in a surgical boot. My surgeon isn't particularly happy with me flying for longer than an hour so soon after the surgery, but says that it should be okay if he gives me blood-thinners and I let the airline know I will need assistance. What sort of assistance should I ask for, and what should I then expect? If be grateful to hear from anyone who has experienced this before.

I won't be able to carry my own bag, but can arrange to travel with a colleague who can do that for me.
I may not be able to move very quickly under my own steam - should I ask for a wheelchair or motorised transport? Or will it be enough to get to the airport and find my gate early? What do I need to do to avoid causing a delay for my fellow passengers when I board?
It might still be easier to move with crutches, as the foot will be very sore. If I bring crutches, is that a huge hassle at the security gate? Or would I need to check them in anyway?
I may be able to push my employer into paying for business class tickets if there is a medical need, though even my boss' boss' boss usually flies economy - do I need to do that? Will it make a huge difference to my level of discomfort?
Is there much difference between the way Qantas and Virgin treat passengers in these situations?
On arrival in Brisbane, I would normally take a train from the airport to the city centre. What is train travel in Brisbane like with a foot injury? Will I be better off taking a taxi?
I will ask the hotel if they have an accessible room, as that will give me some chance to be able to take a shower while keeping my foot and dressings dry. Is there anything else I need to think about, or plan in advance?

 

[significance]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. It's not a meeting I can do by videoconference and I was hoping to attend (it's our second leadership workshop after a major restructure, and I missed the first 6 months ago due to being on the other side of the world), but it is not the end of the world if I don't go. So perhaps it is best if I send someone in my place again.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone....... So perhaps it is best if I send someone in my place again.

That's a great idea !

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

You can say that again ! 19 months down the track from my surgery and I still have problems. I have good days where I can walk on the flat no problems, but other days I have aches and pains in both legs. I always wear those elastic ankle supports if I know I need to do any walking as a pre-cautionary measure ( or I have them in my handbag !) I still cant go up or down stairs without pain. A hot bath or wheat pack certainly helps.

We both definitely got the short straw didn't we with our ankles!!! 16 months down and I'm still in pain too can't walk properly yet either!

I personally wouldn't fly so soon after surgery either.

 

[cove]

Feet are forever and currently you cannot grow a new foot. I remain amazed that women risk great injury by wearing super high heels as a fashion statement.
Instead of a foot hurting shoe I regularly wear a wide fit New Balance or a Clark shoe from the U.S. and no more Bally and my feet thank me for that decision.
Feet and ankles are way too precious to damage for the sake of fashion.

 

[significance]

Feet are forever and currently you cannot grow a new foot. I remain amazed that women risk great injury by wearing super high heels as a fashion statement.
Instead of a foot hurting shoe I regularly wear a wide fit New Balance or a Clark shoe from the U.S. and no more Bally and my feet thank me for that decision.
Feet and ankles are way too precious to damage for the sake of fashion.

I agree - I have only ever worn flats, but even so it is hard to find shoes that don't seem designed to injure feet (Allegria is a good brand). But even the best laid plans... My foot injury happened when I was wearing sneakers.