How long did you wait to drive after surgery?

[SanDiegoSusan 1]

My surgeon said a week but set up an appointment the Monday after my Wednesday operation!:teeth_smile: I took pain meds the day of surgery and the day after and didn't need anymore after that. I would not have been ok to drive either of those days. By that Monday I was more then ready (walking more than an hour a day, healing fast) and it was safe for me to drive. But I will not drive with any alcohol in my system and I would not have driven if I was still on the pain meds. Also, the first few days i was still pretty loopy from surgery so I doubt I was ok to drive for at least for 4 days including surgery day. Don't drive with drugs in your system, don't drive if you can't go for a long walk, and don't drive if your brain is foggy. Once you are back to par you should be fine to drive and I suspect it will depend on how your system responds to the shock it will undergo.

Good luck!

[mdgarcia31665 0]

My doc and the rest of the team said 2 weeks. They stressed this because of the possibility of getting in an accident. The pressure of the belts and steering wheel and air bag against your stomach would not be a good thing. The first week is because of the pain meds. I haven't seen any posts where anyone was on them longer than two or three days, but they want to make sure you aren't drugged up and driving. I hated not being able to drive for those two weeks. I am a single parent and had to find a way for my daughter to get to school. And for me to get where I needed to go when I needed to. Good luck.

[lisa"stime is n 0]

I was told that I could drive once I was off of pain meds an they were out of my system. I can tell you that I drove 6 days post op and that was too soon. I was still somewhat weak and didn't have lots of energy.

hi im a military wife also and just found out that tricare will cover the band. how long did it take for tricare to give approval? i have been to my pcp and will go tuesday for the seminar at the facility in nashville tn any advice would be helpful

[lalaredd 0]

I was driving the day after surgery since I am a single mom. I got in the car and put a pillow in between the seatbelt and my stomach. My dr. said it was fine to drive as long as you didn't take any pain medicine in the previous hours before. During the daylight hours I used liquid Tylenol and at bedtime I used Lortab.