wdw 4 days post surgery

[ashely612]

I will be leaving for WDW on Sept 5. Unfortunately I was told yesterday that I will be having surgery before I go. Due to all the scans, scopes, etc that the dr wants done first, the surgery will be only a few days before we leave. My surgeon is ok with me going, but said I will probably still be very weak. Any suggestions on how to still enjoy WDW without overdoing it during my recovery?

 

[KPeveler]

a lot will depend on what you are having surgery on. no matter what (unless it is a hand or arm) i would suggest renting an ECV, to help with the stamina issues.... try checking out the FAQ and then if you have any specific questions (meds, rides, etc) i'm sure someone here can answer!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are going to be very weak and/or tire easily, you may want to consider a wheelchair with someone else pushing you rather than an ECV. With an ECV, you need to have a certain level of alertness to drive and watch what is happening around you.
Another thing to consider is whether you will be on any pain medication; if you are, that could certainly interfere with your ability to safely operate an ECV (it is, after all, a motor vehicle - although a rather slow one).

You should also consider taking a rest in the middle of the day; if you don't want to leave the park, going to First Aid works well. It is dimly lit, cool and quiet and they have cots in individual cubicles.
If you don't want to do that, going to one of the nearby resorts is a good break - they all have lobbies with comfortable chairs and couches where you could sit and relax.

Without knowing a little more about your surgery, I guess I can't give a lot more information. Do you have any specific questions?

 

[ashely612]

Should I start the day in a wheelchair or ECV or rent it midday when I begin to tire more. How easy is it to get through the lines with an ECV or Wheelchair. I don't think I would be able to stand for long periods of time. Also, we will be staying at POP. Are they available at the resorts or only at the parks? What about DTD?

 

[hematite153]

Should I start the day in a wheelchair or ECV or rent it midday when I begin to tire more. How easy is it to get through the lines with an ECV or Wheelchair. I don't think I would be able to stand for long periods of time. Also, we will be staying at POP. Are they available at the resorts or only at the parks? What about DTD?

I would recommend that you start the day with a wc. If you have someone willing to push you it is worth using even at the beginning of the day when you don't think you need it. That way, you will last longer. If you wait until you are overtired then you might be surprised by how much energy it takes to sit and be pushed. (We learned this lesson the hard way on our first trip. My DW gets better all the time with accepting the need to rest even when it "looks like you are faking it" because you know that you cannot continue that way for the rest of the day.)

Good luck with the surgery and have a great trip.

 

[Shorty82]

How easy is it to get through the lines with an ECV or Wheelchair.

Most of the lines are main-streamed, in other words they are wheelchair and ECV accessable. You ride in the chair all the way through the line to near the end where a CM will direct you to the handicapped boarding area. Some rides (I believe only in the Magic Kingdom) you will be directed to use an alternate entrance by the entrance CM, this is because of stairs in the queue or other barrier. I believe all of the lines in Epcot, Studios, and Animal Kingdom are main-streamed.

On most rides you have the option to either ride in the chair or to transfer. If you can walk on the rides that is a good idea as there are usually only one or two chair accessable ride vehicles and the wait for that vehicle can be quite long I understand. The chair will be waiting for you on the exit platform when you leave the ride.

I don't think I would be able to stand for long periods of time.

Then a wheelchair or ECV would be your best bet. That is what Disney reccomends for mobility and stamina issues.

Also, we will be staying at POP. Are they available at the resorts or only at the parks? What about DTD?

The resorts have a few wheelchairs available on a first come, first serve basis and no ECVs. DTD has chairs and a few ECVs available for a deposit.

If you think you will need a chair or ECV in the parks and resort I would reccomend renting from off-site. You will have the chair with you at all times without having to deal with renting at the parks and not possibly getting one. You will also have it for the trip from the lot to the gate and vice-versa, which can be quite a long ways. All of the WDW busses are accessable so using Disney Transportation is not a problem.

I highly reccomend reading the DisABILITIES FAQ, specifically post number 2. Post number 4 has information on using Disney Transportation.

 

[zumbergc]

Your best bet might be to rent from an offsite wheel chair or ecv rental company. They are mentioned in the stickey's at the top of the threads. We've used walker mobility multiple times and like them.

This way you can have use of the ecv at the resort, getting to and from the resorts, and at the parks, DTD, etc.

You are probably going to want to use the ecv the whole day. Start using the ecv, take it easy so you don't over do it. Take it easy and use the ecv, its better to have excess energy at the end of the day, then to be completely exhausted and tired half way thru and be completely tired and spend the rest of the day at the hotel room. You may have to spend long time at the resort, if it proves to be to tiring.

If you have never had a sergery done before, you are just exhausted as your body is healing. Of course depending on what type of sergery, and how extensive it involves, you may or may not make it the whole day in the parks.

You might want to plan to take 2-3 hour min breaks in the day, maybe longer so you can get a needed nap, or just rest for some time to recharge your batteries.

I had that sinus sergery, to open up the airways. First sergery, never expected it would take a month to get my energy levels back to normal. One experience was I went x-mas shopping, just like a couple hours. The next day I was completely exhausted, and slept the whole day. This was at least 2 weeks after the sergery. So, you might want to take it extra easy so you aren't exhausted your second day out. Or be aware you could be completely exhausted that second day.

Good luck, plan to take it super easy.

Ow yeah, the lines are pretty much mainstreamed so the ecv can fit in the lines, there are a few where you enter at MK in different, but only a handful.

 

[madenon]

Everbody has given you the practical tips allready. Just one question; did you look into seeing if it's a possibility to postpone the surgery until after the trip? 4 Days after is very short day, let alone if you get very sick from the aneasthetic or -heaven forbid!- everything shouldn't go as perfect as planned. Ofcourse we can't judge on the medical part, nor on your own agenda, but it's something that might be worth considering.

I was supposed to have surgery done about last week, and I'm going to WDW on 9-4. I decided to postpone until after the surgery. While it does mean dealing with pain and some risks for a month longer, for me it was worth being sure I'll be able to do WDW as I want to and no risk of the trip being at risk of cancellation because of a complication or simply not feeling well enough.

Anyhow; good luck with the op!

 

[MisMikiNikiLynne]

I would either postpone the trip or the surgery. I would not take the chance of:
1. Having surgery, going to WDW and then having complications AWAY from the surgeon/hospital who did the surgery (most often another surgeon will not take another surgeons case so early after surgery) or
2. Spending the money for a great WDW trip only to be sick, tired and not feeling your best?
I personally would not take the chance, cancel the trip and go after you have healed, or cancel the surgery, go on your trip and have a GREAT time!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I can't comment on people's suggestions to cancel, as I don't know the details of your surgery or condition, but I just wanted to second (or third, or fourth) all the advice you'd been given if you do decide to go post-op.

I think renting a wheelchair from off-site sounds like your best bet; that way you've got it to use wherever and whenever you need it. If you want to walk for a bit, don't feel you can't just because of the chair, but don't over exert yourself either; just because you are physically capable of walking, doesn't mean you have to walk until you fall down with exhaustion.

Look after yourself, keep yourself hydrated, fed, cool and rested. There's a lot of air-con in Disney, so make sure you make use of it! If you're over-heating, go see a show or have a snack in a CS restaurant. Try not to over-do it, you don't have to see every attraction this trip (plus it makes a good excuse to go back again another time )

I'm sure there was more I wanted to say, but my brain's addled, so I've forgotten it. Anyway, have a good trip and take care of yourself

 

[solferino]

I would either postpone the trip or the surgery. I would not take the chance of:
1. Having surgery, going to WDW and then having complications AWAY from the surgeon/hospital who did the surgery (most often another surgeon will not take another surgeons case so early after surgery) or
2. Spending the money for a great WDW trip only to be sick, tired and not feeling your best?
I personally would not take the chance, cancel the trip and go after you have healed, or cancel the surgery, go on your trip and have a GREAT time!

Ditto. I'd say that if the surgery wasnt' an emergent thing (assuming it is because it's scheduled already) waiting til afterwards shouldn't be that big of a deal.

I had surgery at the beginning of July and all I wanted to do for the first week after was sleep. It's exhausting. As much as I love WDW I don't think I'd have been up for doing a trip so close to the operation. Also, be sure that your family understands that you're not going to be 100% and please please please don't push yourself to the point that you turn into a puddle.

Ultimately it's up to the OP what she does, but I wouldn't do it myself. No matter what have a wonderful trip and healthy recovery.

 

[Nanajo1]

I went to WDW 14 days after repair of a perforated gastric ulcer. It was in Feb and I reasoned I could be home snow bound or at Disney breathing the fresh air! I use an ECV already so I didn't have to think about walking vs w/c. I'll stress the importance of listening to your body. Use the first Aid station for a midday break. A 15 min rest on a cot with your feet up does wonders. Keep hydrated and check if any meds you are on make you sun sensitive. Also depending on youir surgery you might want to bring a note from your MD outlining what you had done in case you do need to seek medical help.
Enjoy your recovery.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When I had a kidney out my surgeon told me that Disney trips were OK, but for the next six months if any attraction had warnings for people with bad backs, pregnancy, or heart conditions the warnings also applied to me.

 

[arminnie]

Your recovery might also vary according to whether you have local anesthesia or are put out completely. With the full anesthesia (out) it usually takes a little longer for you to get your strength back.

It is more than just a walk or no walk thing. After surgery you can be exhausted even after just sitting.

I am taking care of my sister right now. She had surgery thru her sinus passages (a plug) 4 days ago. She is still pretty exhausted.

That doesn't mean that you shouldn't go, but just be prepared to take it easy. I had my appendix out on a trip to WDW a few years ago. My surgery was at 10pm on a Wed. night. I left the hospital before noon the next day and was at Epcot on Friday night w/o an ECV.

This was for an open appendectomy (not laparascopic). I wanted to go to dinner and Candlelight Processional. So I went less than 48 hours after open surgery. Yeah I was tired the next day, but I would have been tired anyway.

Enjoy.