How Long Before I Can Drive?

[topgun 63]

ANother forum member recently posted a comment about hoping to be able to drive by the following week after havig recently had surgery. I hadn't really thought about it until I read that and I was wondering if there is a general rule of thumb about being restricted from driving. I'm still 10 days pre-op and I had thought that I would probably be able to drive just a few days after surgery, providing there are no major complications, but now I'm starting to wonder. What have you been told by your surgeons?

[Malyss 31]

I was told that I should not drive until after my first post-op visit with my surgeon, which was just about a week after my surgery. My theory is that the idea was to discourage patients taking pain medication (mine was vicodin in liquid form) from getting behind the wheel.

[gmadeline10 5]

I was told there were no driving restrictions.

[Mr_Worm 129]

Only driving restriction I was given was if I stayed on my narcotic pain meds they gave me...which I never took or needed. I was driving 48 hrs after with no prob.

[gramaof4 58]

I specifically asked about driving restrictions...I was told many people drive themselves home from the hospital. I flew home to the closest airport and drove home the next day 130 miles and have been driving since, I had ZERO pain so I was not on any pain meds....so no worries there.

Good Luck, Let your body lead you...

[Meli01 53]

Same thing, no driving restrictions along as I wasn't taking any pain meds.

I drove 2 days after surgery to take my daughter to school.

[VACookey 111]

I wasn't given any restrictions but I restricted myself while I was on Vicodin. If you're on pain meds and you drive, you're driving while under the influence and can get in serious trouble. It's just like alcohol. So if you're off meds, you should be fine.

[Tana_Q 20]

See this is surprising to me. I am not on pain meds and 4 days out. I don't feel comfortable driving just yet due to the weakness. I could drive if I had to but I would like to feel a bit stronger first.

[time4menow 13]

No driving restrictions here .. all I was told was not while on pain meds ( which is rule of thumb at anytime ). And as along as I was up to it

[jasonswartz 4]

It took me about 10 days post op to be comfortable enough to drive.

[chyna86 17]

I drove 4 days post op but i didnt have any pain and didnt take any pain meds

[emily_0192010 168]

My surgeon's rule of thumb for everything was "if it hurts don't do it"... and of course not to drive if I was taking my medication (which I only did for a couple of days). I found that the first time I tried to drive it was uncomfortable, so I asked my mom to take over... BUT I drive a standard car, so I had to use both legs and both arms and it wasn't just brake and gas etc. Since I am short I also have to actually extend my foot to properly reach the clutch and that pulled on my lower abs, which pulled on my incisions. Around day 10 though I had no issues at all pain wise. At that point my drain was also removed which made everything easier lol.

I truly think it is individual. If you feel comfortable and you aren't taking any narcotics then go for it. Since our surgery is laproscopic we heal much faster so we can go back to our normal lives much quicker.