AVR post op patient to ride in the back seat???

[Natanni]

Oh, this is going to go over like a lead balloon.

I just read the thread below about how soon to drive, and hubby is due for his AVR Sept 29th and he is not going to like the idea of riding in the backseat...Maybe we can disable the airbag in the truck. How long does the no front seat due to air bag rule apply?

[Phyllis]

Until he's cleared to drive- usually 6 weeks. I use to feel like I was "Driving Miss Daisy". Dick didn't approve of my driving in the snow either! :D

[hensylee]

actually, I don't believe 'riding in the back seat' has ever come along before. Anyone else heard of it?

[JohnnyV_46]

I was pretty Drugged up on the ride home from the hospital so I didn't care too much...Normally you can't get me in the backseat

[tobagotwo]

I rode up front. Many people do, as you aren't really flexible enough for the back seat.

If you're worried about the airbag, just think of what a lap-and-shoulder seat belt could do to his chest without an air cushion to slow him down. The impact of air bags is highly overrated and misunderstood. The torque and unequal loadbearing of seat belts is part of the reason air bags were invented.

Either way, just don't hit anything...

Best wishes,

[Ross]

Let him ride up front, be proud, sit tall and smile the whole way home!

[Lynlw]

Justin had his surgery, may2nd and was in an accident riding in the pasengers seat 4th of July weekend. and the airbag hit him. Luckily he was fine, but I was a nervous wreck. Lyn www.caringbridge.org/nj/justinw

[Johnny Stephens]

Rode in the front on the way home from hospital - never did ride in the back, come to think of it. I did move the seat waaay back, though. As Bob mentions, I think a collision *without* an air bag would be worse.

[ALCapshaw2]

One of our members wore an inflatable Baseball Umpire's Chest Protector while riding (and driving?) in a car. Others have put firm pillows over their chests, under the sholder belt.

FWIW, I rode in the back seat for the first few weeks.

'AL Capshaw'

[Natanni]

While ont he subject of riding in the car, how is it going to be for him on a 5 hour commute home? I know about the importance of stopping every 1-2 hours and getting out to walk, but does anyone have any other thoughts for this rather long drive home? Pillows? Hot water bottle? And yes....avoid hitting anything...hehehe....what about what eating on the way home?

[Georgia]

I was very strongly warned to ride in the back seat until I started to drive. They were adamant that airbags could cause major damage. I didn't think twice about it. My daughter got the same warning after gastric bypass surgery.

[knightfan2691]

Hmm...on the way home from the hospital I rode in the passenger side front seat, even though I so wanted to drive ;). I didn't mind the hour + ride home ... I suspect a longer distance might've been a bit untolerable ... then again, I wasn't happy about the car in which I was riding, either...he he he.


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[afraidofsurgery]

I was also told ride in the back seat unless the passenger side airbag can be disabled (which I think on most models is impossible).

I agree with whoever said "just don't hit anything" - that says it all ;)

[Cris N]

While ont he subject of riding in the car, how is it going to be for him on a 5 hour commute home? I know about the importance of stopping every 1-2 hours and getting out to walk, but does anyone have any other thoughts for this rather long drive home? Pillows? Hot water bottle? And yes....avoid hitting anything...hehehe....what about what eating on the way home?

One word... Drugs! Seriously - pain meds are a must. You'll probably be given a script when he's released - either fill it there or ask ahead of time for a few extras for the trip home. Don't forget the water! He'll probably still be on a diuretic so plan on frequent bathroom breaks. I'd definitely plan on pillows - probably get a sore back sitting in one position. (Move the seat back to let it recline some with pillows behind him. Also, moving the seat back will change the angle of shoulder strap. I padded my shoulder strap with a batch of fleece fabric folded until it seemed like the right thickness.) Probably a good idea to have some food - maybe bring a cooler & go to store before leaving hospital, unless fast food is okay. He'll won%2't be up for going into a restaurant for a sit down meal.

Geez, no one told me not to ride in front passenger seat.

Cris

[csutherland]

I don't remember if we were told to put Jerry in the backseat or if he just came up with it on his own. I (uncharacteristically) hadn't even thought of the aribag. He rode in the back until he felt his chest was healed well. Normally he's mister tough guy about these things, but since we personally knew a child who was killed by a front airbag a few years ago, he knew how hard they hit. And of course we're very careful about not allowing grandkids to ride up front!

[Ross]

One of our members wore an inflatable Baseball Umpire's Chest Protector while riding (and driving?) in a car. Others have put firm pillows over their chests, under the sholder belt.

FWIW, I rode in the back seat for the first few weeks.

'AL Capshaw'
John Cochran? He sent that thing to me and I wore it home in the front seat! I still have it too. ;) My first words to my wife,"Get me as far away from here as quickly as possible!" :D

[gadgetman]

While ont he subject of riding in the car, how is it going to be for him on a 5 hour commute home? I know about the importance of stopping every 1-2 hours and getting out to walk, but does anyone have any other thoughts for this rather long drive home? Pillows? Hot water bottle? And yes....avoid hitting anything...hehehe....what about what eating on the way home?

First, I was never warned to not ride in the front seat. From going too many wrecks and seeing the results I would rather have a seatbelt and airbag combo to cushion me. I was given a foam pillow wrapped in a pillowcase to take home with me. I put it between my chest area and the shoulder strap.

As a survivor of a 4 and one half hour ride home from the hospital I would also strongly recommend some pain meds before and during the trip. If he is given a diuretic (water pill) before he leaves the hospital he WILL stop every 1 to 2 hours :eek: :D . Of course the wife gave us both a jolt when she WENT TO SLEEP at the wheel :eek: :eek: . I noticed we were drifting close to the shoulder and as we ran off the pavement I yelled at her. Fortunately she didn't jerk the wheel but rode it through back on the pavement. Don't know why she was tired, I got plenty of rest :D :D . Needless to say, we made an immediate "safety break" after that. So make sure YOU get plenty of rest yourself before making the trip.

Also something we didn't think about until we had left the hospital were the scripts for all the meds they gave us. They didn't give us any for the first couple of days and if it wasn't for a cooperative Cardio office, coupled with a great sister-in-law, I would not have gotten my first meds that next morning. You might want to see if they will give you a couple of days meds before leaving the hospital.

Another thing that comes to mind is what I experienced. We didn't take into account that my feet might be swollen when leaving the hospital. I couldn't get either my shoes or bedroom slippers on. The only thing the hospital had were those soft slippers. Don%'t think that would have felt good on gravel. We wound up stopping and buying a larger pair of shoes after we left the hospital.

We also stopped and got something to eat shortly after leaving the hospital. It was the first "REAL FOOD" I had. That burger tasted like the biggest, best steak I've every eaten. Boy was it goooooood!!!!!!

We are sending prayers and good thoughts for both of you. Good luck and have a safe trip home. Look forward to the posts on the other side of the mountain.

May God Bless,

Danny