I'd been told that I should be able to return to work within 1 -2 weeks after my operation, however when being released from the hospital, they told me I wouldn't be able to drive for six weeks. I was horrified. I have to drive to work - there is no suitable alternative. A girl in the room opposite who'd had the gastric bypass was told she had to have six weeks off work and couldn't drive for two weeks.

I was just wondering what length of time others couldn't drive for - as I just can't imagine being off work for a whole six weeks.

I waited a little over a week. My mom came out to visit and brought her car (a very comfy new Cadillac). I couldn't drive my own car for about a month but that's because my Mustang is a 5 speed and pushing the clutch in killed me. However...there's a good thing about this! When I DID get in my car my belly wasn't as close to the steering wheel anymore and I could push my seat up a bit so I was really excited about that LOL

Renee`

I wanted 10 days. I have a car with manual gears, the clutch no different than the break for me.

my drain incision was on my left side and when I would stretch and then push on the clutch...ouch! I never knew it took so many different muscles to drive a standard LOL

Renee`

HUH? I drove 5 days out and that was for my doctor's visit about 45 minutes away. I didn't drive much at all, but it wasn't a problem in the least.

I'd been told that I should be able to return to work within 1 -2 weeks after my operation, however when being released from the hospital, they told me I wouldn't be able to drive for six weeks. I was horrified. I have to drive to work - there is no suitable alternative. A girl in the room opposite who'd had the gastric bypass was told she had to have six weeks off work and couldn't drive for two weeks.

I was just wondering what length of time others couldn't drive for - as I just can't imagine being off work for a whole six weeks.

Let me add that yes, Margaret is right, I could have driven sooner IF it was my moms car. Like I said, the only problem I had was with my car. I had my husband, my mom and Lynn here running errands so there was no need for me to drive. If there had been a need I would have managed it probably about day 4 or 5 just maybe not very easy in my car.

I don't agree with the 6 week thing but that is very very common after surgery. I was told the same thing after my hysterectomy and I was driving and running errands the next day.

Renee`

I was driving 4 days post op and returned to work in 2 weeks. My wife returned to work in 6 days. 6 weeks is a really long time. I did however have a no heavy lifting restriction for 8 weeks and that seems to be the norm. In 2 weeks, aside from being tired, I was pretty much feeling normal.

I was told that I could drive as soon as I was comfortable and as soon as I was no longer taking narcotic pain medication.

I had the same instructions as Bryn. As long as I wan't taking any narcotics.

My surgery is in 3 days!!! but my surgeon told me I could drive as long as I could comfortably turn my head both sides to check for traffic/lane changes.

within the first week I was driving, I never took any pain meds once I got home so it wasnt an issue. My Doc said once you are off the pain meds its ok to drive..now lifting was another story I had to wait a month for that.

I was given a clearance to drive on my 10 day appointment. Although he made me wait 30 days to ride my heavy Harley Davidson motorcycle. That hurt!

I was back to work 6 days out and driving myself. No problems!

They are full of crap. I had my surgery Monday, home on Wednesday, drove and returned to work on Friday. I don't move bricks for a living, and was fine. You can't drive while you are taking the narcotic pain reliever, but I was off of that (and on to liquid tylenol) after four days.

Six weeks is absolutely absurd. I was back to my exercise classes starting at 2 weeks out, and returned to spin after 4 weeks. don't believe them.

I'd been told that I should be able to return to work within 1 -2 weeks after my operation, however when being released from the hospital, they told me I wouldn't be able to drive for six weeks. I was horrified. I have to drive to work - there is no suitable alternative. A girl in the room opposite who'd had the gastric bypass was told she had to have six weeks off work and couldn't drive for two weeks.

I was just wondering what length of time others couldn't drive for - as I just can't imagine being off work for a whole six weeks.

I drove on day 14...

I was driving around the 10 day post op mark. Back to work 6 days post op.