Recent arm surgery and cave tubing help!

[marpratt]

My boyfriend is having shoulder/arm surgery one and a half weeks before the cruise. He will be in a sling. Can he go cave tubing? Am I crazy for asking?

[panoramaofthepast]

My boyfriend is having shoulder/arm surgery one and a half weeks before the cruise. He will be in a sling. Can he go cave tubing? Am I crazy for asking?

I have had rotator cuff surgery twice - if he is having rotator cuff surgery, there is NO way he will be able to handle caving! Even going on the cruise will be a challenge. However, I would have him check with his surgeon for confirmation.

[CrusingGolfers]

What kind of surgery? Some companies carry tubes up the mountain some make you carry. Honestly the bad part may be the drive. Once you get off the highway they drive you up a dirt road with about a thousand potholes. Once your in the river your just laying in a tube unless its serious surgery I would think he will be fine. My review in my signature has pictures and info from our last trip cave tubing. It's a once in a lifetime thing we loved it.

[CaribbeanCrazy]

I wouldn't do it if I were him. We went cave tubing a few years ago and my arms, neck and shoulders hurt without just having surgery.

[dakotatex]

2 years after surgery, and 1/2 mile from exit I was wishing that I had worked harder on my shoulder rehab. If he were above ground and could get out of the river that would be one thing, but underground you have to go the distance.

[Luke gs Daddy]

If it is any type of surgery on the shoulder I would say noway!

I had some bone spurs remover a few years back and it hurt like HE double hockey sticks.

Shoulder surgery is the worst they say when it comes to recovery.

 

Good luck.

Leave him home and take a girl friend!!:D

[Travel Girl TX]

I went cave tubing in Belize one week before my major shoulder surgery and was unable to carry my tube the entire 30 minute walk. Fortunately, our tour escort from our hotel knew this and when he saw me struggling he carried my large tube and I carried his smaller, easier to manage tube as my arm was hurting pre-surgery. I tipped him very generously for his help because I really wanted to cave tube before my surgery induced inactivity.

 

There is no way he could get in and out of the tube sitting position right after surgery. Also, my surgeon would not let my arm get submerged in even a bath tub for 2 weeks after.

 

I did go on my New Years cruise 19 days post surgery. I only did beach break excursions and would gingerly walk into the water to cool off.

 

He can go on the cruise, but just take it very slow and easy.

[truckguy]

We just returned from our cruise Saturday and it included a port of call in Belize. We used VIV Tours (http://www.vivtours.com) and booked online with them. We chose them specifically because they carry your tubes for you. Maybe this would work for you and your boyfriend. I will admit the road condition is bumpy for the last few miles and the type of surgery he has may be too severe for this. I found the road tolerable but my shoulders are intact. Also the walk up can be demanding as you must make at least one river crossing on foot. There is a rope to facilitate this crossing but depending on the current this also may prove challenging. We enjoyed this tour very much and would recommend it highly. I hope this helps !! As a consolation .. you could always just hang out at the Wet Lizzard Bar !! ... Also .. Belize is a tendered port, in case you were not aware !! :) :) :)

 

Happy Cruising !!

[Janespup]

I think he better ask his surgeon about this. Very few people would even be able to go on the cruise 10 days after after shoulder surgery, no less tubing.