Driving after surgery

[Diane Grimm 19]

Can anyone tell me on the average, how long after surgery can you drive?

[barriej9 61]

I waited about a week. My doctor said as long as I was off the heavy pain killers it would be fine.

[AvaFern 3,516]

I drove myself home from surgery at 3 days. I made sure that we stopped the narcotics 24 hours before though, so I wasn't driving high. In hindsight, it may not have been the best idea because it's a little hard to twist and if God forbid you were in an accident, you would probably not be able to react as well, but physically as long as you're off the drugs, you're allowed to drive.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I was cleared at my 2 week check up but later learned the rule had more to do with not wanting patients driving under the influence of heavy pain killers.

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

Same here. Once I was off the pain killers could drive. Because of the pain from my drain, I didn't drive until 2 weeks after surgery.

[Debbie Jean 406]

I drove 4 days after surgery. My doctor said that I just needed to be off pain meds which I was.

Edited December 31, 2014 by Debbie Jean

[Diane Grimm 19]

Thank you! I don't have anyone to drive me there or home so I was just wondering.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Thank you! I don't have anyone to drive me there or home so I was just wondering.

Check with the hospital. Sometimes they won't allow you to drive yourself home. When I had my IVC filter I was told I had to have a ride. I wasn't even allowed to call a taxi. They specifically wanted the name and number of my ride.