Back again, different joint. Left shoulder this time, rotator cuff repair last Tuesday, keyhole, home the same day. Sling for six weeks, physio starts next week.
A family thing has come up and I would like to fly short-haul, under two hours, around ten days after the op. I have not asked the surgeon yet because the follow up appointment is not until day twelve. Before I ring the secretary I would like to know what other people were told, so I know whether I am asking something reasonable or something daft.
Specifically: did anyone fly in the sling, and how did you manage bags and the overhead locker with one arm?
Ring the secretary now rather than waiting for day twelve. Mine got an answer from the consultant within two days by email, and I needed it in writing for the insurer anyway.
Not shoulder, but I flew with my arm in a sling after a wrist op. Book assistance even though it is your arm and not your legs. You cannot lift anything into the locker, you cannot pull a case through a long terminal properly, and having someone take the bag at the gate was worth more than I expected.
Window seat on the side away from the bad shoulder, so nobody can knock it from the aisle. Learned from Keith's trolley story on here.
Rang. Surgeon's reply by email: fine to fly short-haul from day ten provided the wound is clean and dry, sling on for the flight, keep moving and drinking like any other op, and call if the hand goes numb or the arm swells. He also said no lifting with that arm at all, which I knew, but seeing it in writing helped.
Assistance booked, window seat on the left, wife carrying the bags. She is being very nice about it so far.
Flew Saturday. Uneventful. The worst bit was the security tray with one hand, and the assistance person just did it for me. Shoulder was sore on landing but no worse than an ordinary evening. Thank you all.
