Driving myself home from the hospital.....possible?

Hi everyone! I have a question.....has anyone driven themselves home from the hospital? Even a long (1.5 hours) drive on the highway? I am not sure how much pain there will be or if they will have me on meds.

I am asking this because I live in snow country (Michigan) and am worried about the drive over (60 miles) the morning of my surgery. I have been thinking of getting a hotel room the night before, so I can take my time driving there, and then I will only have a short drive in the morning. I have asked my sister to drive me the morning of, but don't really want to bother her to take off work.

Any suggestions or stories?

Not possible.  They won't discharge you without a ride.  I mean, I guess they physically can't prevent you from leaving, but they could refuse to discharge you and indicate that you left against medical advice, in which case your insurance might not pay for your hospital stay. 

You'll have been on pain meds while in the hospital and they advise against driving for at least 24 hours after taking your last dose.  You probably won't be in so much pain that you could not drive if you had to but you won't feel up to it.  Every little bump will be uncomfortable and you'll feel much better if you can hold a pillow over your belly and try to relax while someone else drives.  You might also be nauseous.

If you absolutely cannot get someone to drive you, then take a cab to a hotel.  But your surgeon will probably recommend having someone - a responsible adult - with you the first night after discharge just in case there is a problem.

No, I was pretty sore, too.

Just wanted to sign in to tell you that you are awesome Stacey.  I love your portraits!  And I think it is wonderful that you have lost 75lbs pre-op. 

PLEASE "bother" your sister - I am sure you've done for her and many.  You need to be safe and at peace to go into surgery and out of it.

I wish you the very best.

Layla

Hi Layla! Thank you for the compliments! I have given into the fact that my sis will be taking me. Thanks a bunch!

Good morning! No its not possible and do not recommended, the my Drs. explain why is not good for you to drive, please ask your sister to do it. I wasn't in pain when I got out of surgery but I was very sleepy, so I sleep all my way home, the good part is that I had my surgery in México and they drive my home, be very careful with that! remember that you don't have to do any extraordinary effort on your muscle, even my Drs. with me Metamucil to be ready to be in the bathroom without effort LoL!!

Not a good idea.  I wasn't allowed to drive for a week after surgery or a week after taking the pain meds-which ever came last.  Had VSG 10/24/14.  There is no way you should be driving any kind of distance especially if weather is an issue.  If your sister isn't an option, what about a neighbor, even pay a high school kid if need be.  Best of luck to you.

During my final pre-op appointment, the nurse asked me who will be taking me to the hospital and will be picking me up.  The paper work they gave me stated that they will not discharge me unless there was a responsible party to take me home.  I could not take a cab or public transportation.  So, you will not be allowed to drive home.  You will still be recovering from anesthesia, and will likely be on pain meds.  You will not be in any condition to drive, and I suspect you won't want to drive anywhere, even if it's to a hotel.  My girlfriend picked me up, took me home and hung out with me for a while before she went home.  The last thing on my mind was driving myself home.  I was in pain and still a little woozy from the anesthesia.  Hospitals do this for your safety and their liability.

I would suggest talking to your sister or someone else to get your transportation situation sorted out.  It will give you one less thing to worry about, and I don't think this a something that is negotiable with the hospital.  Getting a hotel close the hospital sounds like a good idea, given the wacky weather we are already having.  

To chime in here - They won't discharge you without setting eyes on your driver.  It isn't safe for you to drive after being on pain meds to be at your best to drive.  Even though you had surgery, if you got stopped, you'd probably qualify for driving under the influence.

Not a good idea to even consider. 

I drove the day AFTER I was released because I had been off narcotics since the day of surgery ie, 24 hours - but did have my husband and kids pick me up!

I believe I am the exception (being so perky after surgeries) rather than the rule - so you should assume you won't be driving for at least a couple of days after discharge!