Most of our out-of-state patients are discharged from the hospital the second post-op day , stay overnight in a hotel , and fly home the next day. We do have patients that wish to stay an additional night in a local hotel and fly home the next day. Your spouse may stay in your hospital room; the staff will supply a recliner or cot. There is an airport in Columbia , S.C. that is 15 minutes from the hospital. Also available is an airport in Charlotte , N.C. It is about an hour and a half away and is an international airport which offers more direct flights than Columbia. We have patients leave the hospital , ride to Charlotte , stay overnight there , then fly home.