If I wanted to take a 700 mile drive, how long after surgery so you think I will be able to do this?

If you are driving I would wait 2 weeks. If you had to slam on the breaks it may hurt a bit. Nothing else is really a big deal. Let just a little bit of the healing process happen and to be sure you are off of pain meds if needed.

Josephine

Your body is most susceptible the first two weeks after your surgery. The last thing you should be doing is traveling long distances. You need to be close enough in the event that you have to see your surgeon. You should be mobile to keep the blood flowing but not that mobile. If you're not mobile you put yourself at risk for blood clots. I'm about two weeks post op and I ended up with an infection yesterday. God forbid I wasn't close to home and couldn't get the right care I needed. Your surgeon knows you better then any other doctor at this point and he/she would know exactly what to do. Be cautious. In the event you suffer from any type of infection or whatever else the band is in a very sensitive location and you could easily die if you're not careful. Just relax for a while before taking any big trips.

Edited December 5, 200817 yr by winthropgrad08

Ask your doctor. A major concern postop is being immobile because it increases your risk of blood clots. Your surgeon can give you the best scenario for this patients and what is average recovery time for them.

My doctor let me drive after one week out from surgery. But personally, there was no way I could go for a 700 mile drive even with pit stops.