Question: how soon did you drive after surgery? Also how soon did you or your dr said you could return to work?

Mine just says no driving while on pain meds

My doc said same about not driving on meds. I never took anything for pain once I left recovery room but didn't feel like driving

Didn't finish thought.... Waited until day 5 to drive. I will be out 6 weeks because I have the vacation/sick time to cover but most folks seem to go back to work as early as 1 week. 2 weeks seems to be the average.

Thanks ladies

The day after discharge

I was told to wait at least 1 week to drive, but if I was still on pain meds to wait until I didn't need them anymore. Going back to work really depends on your job. Because this is an abdominal surgery, things take much longer to heal inside than they do on the outside. As well, you're re-learning how to eat and drink. They like you to learn this before heading back to the daily grind.

Two to three weeks seems to be the average. I suggest three if you can or more. It is so much better to get your food straight at home. Good luck

I didn't go home with pain meds so i returned to work and drove with in one week. I felt great!

My doc said I could drive once I was off pain meds which was about 4 days. I was off work for 2 weeks but the doc said I could have another week if I wanted. My work doesn't get done if I am not there so I went back. The hardest part about going back to work so soon is the eating and watching others eat normal food while you are still on liquids and soft food.

Question: how soon did you drive after surgery? Also how soon did you or your dr said you could return to work?

I went back to occasional work at two weeks and full time at three. I really needed three weeks but I had low Iron levels which decreased my energy.

You want to make sure that you aren't having bouts of low blood sugar, or weakness. Both could seriously impair your ability to react. Wouldn't plan on any big days of driving just start slowly with short errands.

I waited about a week and a half before I drove. Only then cause I wasn't taking any pain meds and the trips were very short. I don't work outside the home. But if I did I don't think I would be quite ready to go back yet., I will be three weeks post op Wednesday this week. But gauging how I am doing if I had to go back to a job probably Next week I would feel up to it. I am already doing more and more things around the house. So I think it depends on your job. Making sure that you have a plan for eating and drinking while you are at work and getting your vitamins in. Make a schedule and stick to it so you don't become dehydrated or miss your vitamins. Get your protein in so you will have some energy.

I was told to wait at least 1 week to drive' date=' but if I was still on pain meds to wait until I didn't need them anymore. Going back to work really depends on your job. Because this is an abdominal surgery, things take much longer to heal inside than they do on the outside. As well, you're re-learning how to eat and drink. They like you to learn this before heading back to the daily grind.[/quote']

This is why I'm waiting 6weeks to go back...well that & the holidays. Luckily someone is covering some of my work but not all.

I was told about a week for driving, if off pain meds. They said to sit in your car and slam on the break to make sure you can do it witthout pain. I took 6 weeks off because I could. Short term disablilty and FMLA.

I was told to wait 24 hours after taking my pain meds.