My father's 70th birthday surprise part is in mid February and I'm thinking of going. It's across the country and I can't imagine what my condition will be in six weeks. If it was tomorrow, I couldn't do it.
How soon after takedown were people able to get through a trip?
Thanks.
Jeffrey H.

You'll probably be okay by then.

Just be patient with yourself, and listen to your body.

If and when you do have to go, it won't be like it was when you had a flare with UC, that's for sure... it might be very uncomfortable, but at least you'll be able to control it!

I'd suggest staying away from any stimulants/carbonation/sugar while traveling, as you wont need to add anything to the anxiety levels that come naturally with traveling...

//Todd

Im planning a road trip across canada in a couple months and thats one thing that kind of has me concerned. I plan on taking lots of imodium with me and toilet paper if i have to pull over to the side of the road. I think that should keep me prepared.

I live in Washington and went to the Caribbean (so, that's a 7 hour flight to Florida) on a cruise three months post takedown (had takedown in July, went on the cruise in October). Best time of my life and I probably could have done it a lot sooner....

I had to travel to get home from all of my j-pouch related surgeries (8 in total) because I live on an island and had to travel to the UK for them. I was fine. No problems getting home even though it was by taxi, coach, train and plane and was at least a 10 hour trip. There are always public toilets and I wore a pad (though didn't need it) just in case. I did make sure that the airline company was aware that I had just recently had surgery so that helped to give me peace of mind.

I have to say though that since I was away from home for my surgeries my surgeon made sure that I was well enough to travel before discharging me from hospital.

I think you'll be fine after 6 weeks.

Shell

Hey Jeff,
I bet you will be fine to travel.
I am only 7 weeks post TD and have gone on a couple of trips. Just stay away from butt burning food and you should be fine.
Enjoy your trip!
Had that Double Double yet?
David

I walked Disney World 3 months after takedown, fissure and all. Not pleasant, but I still had fun.

Dave,
I haven't had the Double Double yet, but I'm inching closer. I'm still in the early bland food stage. Gotta suck up to the pouch a little.
But I'm including new foods every few days. It will be a great day when I can take you up on your encouraging advice.
Jeffrey H.

My surgeon E-mailed me and said I can travel whenever I want. Which is not the same thing as whenever I can.

Jeffrey,
I think once you can comfortably hold your stool for a bit then you should be fine. That way even if you're not always right beside a bathroom, you will be confident to know that you won't have an accident in the process of finding one. I travelled 10 days after both my surgeries, 4 hours by plane and then 4 hours by car. I wasn't eating much at those times so bathrooms weren't a big deal. The most uncomfortable part for me was holding it in and not being able to empty completely in random bathrooms left me feeling crampy and gassy.

I had my pouch made in 1998, and when I fly home to New Zealand from western Australia in Feb, it will be a long long day with 2 flights. I won’t eat anything until I am nearly there. I can NOT eat and then go out for more than 4 hours. I need to be close to a toilet and the bed/floor. I have to get rid of any gas before I can go to the toilet, and I can only get rid of gas lying on my stomach. I don’t particularly want to do this in the isle of an airplane., although I have done it in some awkward places before.
I have learnt over the years that for me, I must not eat before I leave the house, and I must have an empty bowel. I don’t eat before I go to work or I will be in too much pain.

Dear Very-Unique,
That's interesting because I find when I don't eat, everything turns quickly to liquid bile and comes out like battery acid.
I've made short trips around the neighborhood and so far I can only go about 4 hours between bathroom breaks.
HOpe you have a good, healthy '08.
Jeffrey H.