Travelling

The only thing you need to think about is possible post surgical complications (like adhesions and blockages, low or high sodium or potassium, butt burn) and how/where such complications can be medically addressed should they arise. Will you have insurance issues, etc.? I thought the UK had voted to leave the EU so I do not know where that leaves you with paying for any medical treatment you may need.

I was in the ER twice within the one month after takedown, once with a blockage from post surgical adhesions, and once with a sodium overdose after my body could not handle a pepperoni and anchovy pizza, Potato chip and V8 juice "sodium party" I hosted a few weeks after takedown. I had been advised to eat a high sodium diet, but I just took it too far. And paid a heavy price. The hospital ER doctor told me he had never seen a higher sodium level. This is what happens when the colon is removed from your body and the J pouch is asked to take over what the colon did for you, in terms of regulating sodium and potassium in your body. It adjusts, but very slowly. 32 years after takedown, I still am running low sodium levels. But just below normal range (133 and normal range is 135-145).

After most surgeries the post-op instructions tend to include limits on lifting any significant weight. This can make traveling alone quite difficult. Perhaps you could ask your surgeon’s office for the post-op instructions in advance, to facilitate planning.

You will need to see how you are feeling after your post surgical follow-ups.

on the 10th day after takedown, my staples were removed, and that evening my undetected fistula began to leak. It was a real sh** show, resulting in emergency surgery in the middle of the night.

Please be careful and listen to your surgeon’s recommendations.

While it would be lovely to recuperate in Spain, travel is stressful and requires a great deal of energy.  To say nothing of sitting for long periods and lots of walking in airports.

Three weeks post take-down is still early in your recovery.  It took 2 weeks post surgery for my bowel to start working properly again so was not discharged until about day 17 post-op.  My diet was extremely limited as I was learning how my pouch functioned and I did not risk being more than a few steps away from a toilet in the first week at home.  I needed a sitz bath after every BM as the butt burn was real.

I would ask your surgeon.  Consider your insurance options for travel so soon after major surgery.  Most plans will not cover you.  You will not be able to lift anything more than about 10lbs for 6 weeks.  You may need to book wheelchair assistance for airports.  You will not have access to a toilet during taxi/takeoff and landing on an aircraft.

Wishing you all the best on your upcoming journey!

I had similar issues to those mentioned already, except a bit worse due to my original surgery not being successful, and needing a second surgery 4 weeks later. They had expected to discharge me 2 days after the first surgery, but when it became clear there were complications, I was on a PICC line for tube fed nutrition for a month before the follow up surgery and an additional month afterwards. No fun, but exceedingly unusual.

It is much more likely all will go well, with normal post surgical fatigue, lifting restrictions and adjustments in toileting and diet. To be on the safe side - you could investigate buying a really good international travel insurance that covers health issues originating prior to departure, pays for medical care in Spain and for an earlier flight home if needed, and allows you to cancel your departure up to the last minute. WIth the right travel insurance, you could book your trip and go if you feel up to it and I very much hope you can!