Question, How long after the VSG was it before you could drive?

 I am trying to plan things out since surgery is on the 27th but was wondering how long it was before you could drive after surgery. Between a kid in karate and therapy weekly on top of carpool and daily life it is a mess. 

Thank gou you so much for your help. 

Nikki

Hi Nikki,

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery 

I didn't have VSG but had complications and was open and could not drive for months.  Ask your surgeon, he/she will be the best judge. Every surgeon is different too so ask on your next appointment or call since you have a lot of transportation duties.  We look forward to your updates.

I drove the day the after I got out of the hospital. I could have driven home from the hospital if I want to but my husband was there so I didn't. I have 3 kids and a very busy family. The day after I got out of the hospital I had to take my son to the DPS office to get his learners permit. Then I went to pick up my prescriptions. Then I went to the grocery store. It just depends on how you feel.

I had my surg with Dr. A in Piedras Negras.  We spent 2 nights in the hosp there then a night in the luscious hotel in the states.  Then we drove all the way back to Tucson, which was about 1K miles the next day.  No discomfort at all (except incision sites).

I came home on Thursday afternoon. I drove my son to school Friday morning and picked him back up that afternoon. No problems, but it will just depend on how you feel and how long you need the pain medication and what your surgeon recommends.

I probably could have driven on day 3 or 4, but waited until day 5 because there wasn't anywhere I needed to go. No way I could have driven home from the hospital the day after surgery or the next day (bad headache day after I got home because I was struggling to get my fluids in). We're all different! You need to not be on pain meds and be able to maneuver your body enough to drive safely.

You have to be off the prescription pain med for 24 hours before you can drive

I drove on day 5 because it was the first day I wasn't taking the narcotic pain meds. I've driven in the past while on narcotic pain meds and I never have any side effects, but I figured I wouldn't risk it.

Everyone is different. I didn't drive for 5 days after surgery.

it really will depend on your pain level and how long you need to be on prescription pain meds. You should wait at least 24 hours, preferably 48hrs after stopping narcotics. The hospital where I had surgery absolutely would not release you to drive yourself home since they give you last IV dose of narcotic pain meds right before you leave. (They wouldn't even release you to take public transportation/cab/uber - you had to have someone you know pick you up)