Flying after shoulder surgery

[ironz]

I know some of our flyers out there have arm issues (yes, I'm sending a bat signal!)

I will be flying out to WDW for a conference about 3 weeks following shoulder surgery and may be still in a sling and with limited movement. Do you think it would be better to sit on the aisle with the (right) shoulder towards the aisle? Or by the window, so the bad shoulder is next to the wall of the plane? I plan on not having the shoulder by my seatmate, but wonder if there is too much chance of getting hit by someone coming down the aisle, versus the extra difficulty of getting across the row to have my right shoulder next to the right sidewall of the plane.

Thoughts?

 

[EpcotQueen]

Depends on the kind of shoulder surgery. If a complete rotator cuff tear repair, I would sit aisle with affected arm out. Sling for that kinda large. Then you only need to lean the other way when someone comes past. You may want to contact the airlines and see if they can give you a bulkhead seat since you will be a bit 'handicapped'. I had shoulder surgery about 2 months before traveling to WDW and did not have to use a sling. I had bone spurs and a partial tear. Didn't use the sling after the first week. Became a real pain in the tush!

 

[ironz]

Thanks...I booked my trip with the aisle seats, thinking that having space on the affected side was better. Hoping for upgrade to FC on one leg, which will help as well.

Bulkhead is a good idea, but I won't be able to get stuff in/out of the overhead, so will prob. stick with the regular rows. And obviously, exit row is not an option.

 

[DebbieB]

I would be very careful sitting on the aisle. I fly often and always try to get an aisle seat and frequently get hit by people getting on and also by the beverage cart. You may want to get on last.

 

[ironz]

Good idea, Debbie.

On one of the flights, it's a small plane where there is only the one seat on the left hand side, so for that trip, I can board and then just lean over to the left wall to avoid the people bumping past in the aisle. I'll remember to board later for the other flights. Maybe if I put something bright on my sling (assuming I'm still in it), people will watch out for me, too.

and, if the aisle seating doesn't work out heading over to MCO, then I'll try to switch my seats for the return flights.

 

[bavaria]

Was the bat signal for me? And did Duds give you authorization and training for using the bat signal??!

My usual sling is black and blends in so most people don't notice it, which is the way I want it. But it does mean that people bump and jostle me. I also try and do for myself hence part of my reason for small and light carry on bags. No 22 inch rollaboard for me!

I agree with sitting on the aisle, hence my reason for 'owing' certain seats. While I prefer the aisle, if my bad side will be on the aisle I try and get a window instead with my bad side to the window.

Other passenger behaviour is really the challenge - the fight for the arm rest seems to continue regardless of the situation. I usually prop up one side with a pillow and/or my handbag, so try that out before you fly to find out how you are most comfortable. (of course, the bag needs to be put away for takeoff and landing)

I cannot comment on your specific issues, but I will tell you that I fly all the time with physical issues. Usually the security staff are kind and aware and I don't result in extra screening. Sometimes however if I am getting extra screening, even if I advise them, I have had TSA agents insist that I move a certain way, which just isn't possible.

Good luck! If your flight is to/from MCO, I fear that the MCO leg may be the worst; sadly there is a lot more 'me me' behaviour on those flights. I did however once have a mother use me as a learning opportunity for her small child and very courteously offered to assist me in any way possible, without being patronizing (then again, MCO is where I have also had other passengers scream at me for not moving to meet there needs, even when I pointed out that I was seated in a particular seat due to my needs...)

 

[ironz]

Bavaria...yes, dear, the bat signal was for you!

So, you sit on the aisle, but with your bad side next to the other (middle) passenger? I do suppose educating one person not to bump me, rather than depending on all the masses up and down the aisle to not hit me is something to consider.
Or maybe I'll have a pillow and just keep the bad side to the window. decisions!

I'll be 3 weeks out from my surgery, so hopefully, most of the acute pain/tenderness will have subsided. Will definitely be packing light!

One trip will be to WDW, though I have another business trip in even before that, so will learn to accommodate quickly, I hope!

Thanks for the tips! I knew I could count on you!

 

[bavaria]

Empty middles are sadly a thing of the past, except on a few flights where people were too cheap to upgrade to E+. But almost ALL of my UA flights this quarter were 95% full or more (they post that information on the board at many airports now)

I usually don't say anything as I am fiercely stubborn and independent, but often Mr or Ms Middle boards after me and notices somewhat. Of course, being in the bulkhead row actually helps as the armrest cannot be raised, so I tuck the (airline) pillow down next to me and don't actually use the armrest.

As I said the other day, I am really fast at clearing security, even using one hand - just years of experience making do. But you may not be as experienced, so give yourself time and be kind to yourself. I don't know how your ability to grip and grasp may be impacted, but something else to consider. My (stranger) neighbour on TestTrack buckled me in last week as my fingers just couldn't manage the weird seatbelt.

And I don't see anything at all wrong with asking if you can preboard - you do after all need extra time and have a valid (and visible) issue.

 

[ironz]

Thanks!
As for the clearing security, I am one of the ones on here who is a frequent flyer...usually about 4-6x through airport security each month. I have that down pat! (at least two-armed--I'll practice using mostly one arm tomorrow when I fly out)

Will keep all your ideas in mind and see how it goes! Surgery 11/17.

 

[macraven]

you got good advice here.
i went thru the rotator cuff surgery and flew a few weeks after using a sling also. i know the aggravation of dealing with it.

i would think the aisle seat would work for you but it could pose a problem.
anytime the people to your left need to leave their seat, you would need to get out of yours and stand in the aisle for them to get past you.

staying buckled and in your seat when they need to get out, is not good.
plane sways and they would fall into your lap if they tried to squeeze by.

 

[bavaria]

Sorry OP! I knew that you were a very regular flyer - by years of experience I meant me having years of experience with non-functioning body parts!

Of course, if you are nice to Safetymom maybe she will find you a princess sash too that says 'expert' so they don't shove you in the line for those needing extra time at MCO

 

[ironz]

Sorry OP! I knew that you were a very regular flyer - by years of experience I meant me having years of experience with non-functioning body parts!

Of course, if you are nice to Safetymom maybe she will find you a princess sash too that says 'expert' so they don't shove you in the line for those needing extra time at MCO

I totally need the "expert" sash! I have a tiara that will go with it just perfectly!

I think I am going to change my seats to windows with my bad shoulder to the wall, so I can just cushion it and not worry about the other people. I'll do that on the flights where I'm not in that single seat. And hopefully, get my upgrade for at least one leg.

Thanks!!!
Surgery in one week. I'm a bit nervous, but optimistic.

 

[lmogs]

My husband has taken several flights after surgeries (often cross-Atlantic), and was bumped up and out of coach a few times. I recommend always asking to be upgraded. With the economy the way it is, it's quite possible that 1st class isn't full. If you get an understanding ticket agent - you could be seriously smiling all the way to MCO. Good luck!

 

[SueM in MN]

Sitting on an aisle and preboarding, you also have to worry about the suitcases and bags of the other passengers hitting you as they board. We need to preboard with our DD because of gate checking her wheelchair. If I had a dollar for every time I get hit by someone entering (and later leaving) the plane, I could sometimes have enough money to pay for a flight.
Also, on some planes, the bulkhead aisle seat is straight ahead for passengers boarding - the aisle in First Class (or whatever they call it now) is wider and narrows at the bulkhead seats. But since the bulkhead is the first seat where it is narrower, people tend to come straight at you. DD was sitting on the bulkhead aisle on a recent trip and got hit several times (nearly in the face several times) and also got her legs bumped into.

 

[bavaria]

My husband has taken several flights after surgeries (often cross-Atlantic), and was bumped up and out of coach a few times. I recommend always asking to be upgraded. With the economy the way it is, it's quite possible that 1st class isn't full. If you get an understanding ticket agent - you could be seriously smiling all the way to MCO. Good luck!

There are some challenges with what you posted. Load are actually HIGHER right now due to capacity cuts, and I can assure you that I haven't flown a flight in North America in 2008 where F wasn't completely full. OP is already on the waitlist for an upgrade, using status or miles.

Also, if one asks for an upgrade because one does not feel that one can fly comfortably in Economy class, one runs the risk of being deemed unfit to fly. Airlines can and do make this decision, and can deny one boarding.

In addition, most carriers require agents to account for the upgrade with miles or certificates; the days of upgrading honeymooners are long gone on most carriers. Even LH often flies with empty seats in C and F rather than upgrading passengers on longhaul.

While there are rare instances of upgrades being offered, passengers cannot and should not assume that upgrades occur based on goodwill. That is simply a reality of flying today.

 

[ironz]

SueMN... I have heard of people getting run over in those front bulkhead seats. Bulkhead won't be for me, so I can at least get to my carryon bag easily.

I flew yesterday (3 flights), keeping in mind all the suggestions and trying to mentally put myself in a sling, with various limitations. Let's call it a pre-surgery practice run, if you will. Watched the people on the aisle get bumped a little bit...with the people going by, and people putting their things in the overhead bins. Also observed that there is a bit of extra room on the armrest to the window side of the plane due to curvature of the "metal tube." So...I will make sure that, when possible, I will be on the window of my affected side, and have an extra pillow for cushioning.

To the PP...I have an upgrade pending based on my status on the airline. But only for one flight, as I am trying to save some of the upgrades for another flight I will need to take right after the trip to WDW. I'll have 14 segments to fly (3 round trips) in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th weeks after my surgery.