I think this is individual. That's a pretty long drive. I was fine going home from takedown but we only had a 90 minute drive. The only pain I had was gas pains. I wasn't going to the bathroom too frequently. I would make a plan B just in case. He may be totally fine to head on home with just some breaks for a restroom. Or split it up in two days again like you did last time. Good luck!

I drove myself home, 2.5 hours, after my reversal. It wasn't a problem. If it gets to be too tiring you can stop and spend the night along the route.

Sue

I suggest you take a pillow or two and blanket and have him ride in as horizontal a position as possible. Depending on what kind of vehicle you have either reclining in the passenger seat or laying in the back seat. Gravity has a lot to do with the frequency of BM's at this stage of the game. It depends on what his surgeon says but now would be a good time to take Imodium and some form of fiber, ie. Metamucil. Also take Charmin Ultra Soft TP as public rest rooms do not have soft TP. You can get individual packets or travel sizes of baby wipes or personal hygiene wipes for travel use as well. A tube of calmoseptine for potential butt burn and you should be set to travel.

I'd plan on staying one night but you might not need to.

I hope his surgery goes well

One factor to keep in mind (though not the only one, of course) is that most folks don't struggle with urgency, so there will likely be some time to find a bathroom as needed on the way. Post-op discomfort is its own issue, of course - even if the seat is fine for a while, we can't change position much in a car. I have some misgiving about the horizontal position advice, since a seat belt only works properly when sitting upright.

It was more comfortable with the seat reclined right after take down, for me, Scott. You can't get totally horizontal with the seat reclined. Plus you still wear a seat belt. You can wear the middle belt if you lay down in a back seat. Peaches husband is going to sit or lay however it's most comfortable for him.

I still have gravity issues. We are all different but alike. There are a lot of variables like what will he eat that day and if his surgeon wants him to take Imodium yet, etc.

We are giving "suggestions". I still have an old school blow up rubber ring that I sit on when I'm in the passenger seat for longer periods of time. I like it better than similar pillows people use.

I second what Scott F said.
For me is being another life after op just for the continence capacity, I'd sign if someone would tell me I would have to go 12 times a day but with continence. In my opinion continence was the #1 debilitating factor with uc.

Thanks for all the replies. We really appreciate it! We expect him to be uncomfortable post-op as he always is - that obviously complicates travel. But we didn't know how frequently people generally MUST have a bathroom NOW right after takedown. That would be an even bigger complication

I never once had a NEED THE BATHROOM NOW! moment after takedown. Even immediately post op. But I don't know if that's the norm or if I was just lucky.

That is why I was saying to be able to recline if possible. Right after surgery I had the feeling I needed to go to the restroom more than I really needed to. While I could hold it better than before with UC it was still an urge for me right after surgery. Reclining puts less pressure on the pouch area. I don't know about everyone else but I did a lot of lying down or sitting in a recliner when I was recuperating after the surgery.

I had no problem getting the half hour drive home after my take down. 8 hours is a long time.

TE Marie - you mentioned your blow up donut cushion and that's a really good idea. Especially since he has less than 5 weeks until takedown and prolonged sitting is still uncomfortable ... even worse if said seat isn't padded enough! I looked up cushions like that and good grief - there are too many options. Do you think an air one is better than a foam one? They also have them in oval shapes vs. round. Do you think it matters?

I used pillows in the beginning but got an old school red rubber blow up donut from a small pharmacy and still like it the best. You can fill it with the amount of air you like best and it doesn't feel as flimsy as plastic ones nor does it slip and slide like they do. I think it cost somewhere between $10-15. It wasn't in a chain store, just a pharmacy included with a urgent care clinic. I still have it in the car. (I could use some more padding in my rear.)
I also bought cushions for the kitchen chairs in-between surgeries. We take a lot of things for granted!

You do have a long drive. I rode home after my final surgery, trip was 2 1/2 hours. I only had to stop once for a bathroom break. No Imodium or Lomotil either.