Back Surgery

[RoseRoni2]

My mother 54 is having back surgery 2 months before we go on vacation. She is not able to go back to work for 3 months after the surgery. I am worried she wont be able to go on vacation. She has never been to Disney World and I hate for her to miss this trip. Do you all have any suggestions?

 

[Angielou1079]

My dad is in his 60's and has had like 7 back surgeries, we're going for Christmas/New Years and getting an ECV...I would think that it would depend on what type of back surgery she is getting...also the dr will tell her what her limitations are after surgery and for how long....best advice I guess is just ask the dr....

 

[cmjacobs]

Not sure what procedure your Mom is having done so that could make a difference. Best advice is for her to ask her doctor as he/she will know best. If she is able to go she'll probably need a wheelchair or scooter as that much walking will be very hard for her.

I just had back surgery the end of May but my DW trip isn't until mid October so I have a bit longer recovery time. Even at 4 1/2 months I'm not sure how I'll handle all the walking and know I won't be able to do a lot of the rides but this trip is for my step-daughter and two grandsons so I'll enjoy watching them have fun.

Hope this helps.

 

[RoseRoni2]

Thanks for your help! My mother might have the surgery in mid-April so that she will have a full 3 months to recover before our trip. She won't get a wheelchair. She might not last until April to have the surgery she is in too much pain and when school starts and she is on her feet all day long her body might not be able to last until April. She wants to go so bad, I do hope she can!!!! Only time will tell!

 

[SueM in MN]

As the others said, a lot depends on the type of surgery she is having and what advice her doctor has.
I don't know how you are traveling, but she may find that the airplane trip is uncomfortable. Airline seats are not known to be extremely comfortable, even for people without back problems. Being in a kind of cramped space for a few hours may cramp her back. If she can get the bulkhead seats, they usually give a little extra leg room so that she could at least move a bit.

For the parks, I agree with the others about renting a wheelchair or ECV.
She should be aware of the attractions with warnings so she can avoid them.
You can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue.
For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space
• Test Track

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
• Space Mountain

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours
• Rock N Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl
  
  I don't know if there is a warning on the new Toy Story Mania ride, but from what people have written, it is jerky as it moves from one game to the next.
  Also, some people with back problems have mentioned Spaceship Earth and Haunted Mansion as 2 rides that bother their backs. Both have hard plastic seats with a high headrest and both include a downhill part where the ride car goes backward and you are laying on your back against the hard plastic.
  
  Even if she can just do the shows and more gentle things, there will still be plenty of things to do.