Question:
How soon will I be able to drive afterwards?
I am having laproscopic rouxen-y on a Monday and my husband is scheduled for his wisdom teeth to be pulled that Friday, will I be well enough to drive him? — Heather B. (posted on July 6, 2002)
July 6, 2002
Hi there! I had my surgery on a Wednesday, was home Friday evening, and
had to drive myself to my first follow-up that next Tuesday (6 days post).
I didn't have any trouble, except getting in and out of the car. I was
thankful my car was an automatic, although I had just bought it 3 weeks
prior to my surgery and had always driven a stick. I wonder if driving
would have been more difficult having to shift. Anyway, if you don't have
a long distance to drive, and your car is an automatic, you should be fine.
Just make sure to get plenty of rest up until you have to drive. You'll
probably be surprised at how easily you will tire from doing
"normal" things the first month out. Be careful and good luck to
you! (Lap RNY 3/13/2002, down 60 pounds!!)
— LaRayne H.
July 6, 2002
I am still pre-op, but from what I have heard from the other people at my
support group at HUP, you will not be cleared to drive until you are off
the pain meds.
Whether that precludes you from ignoring your doctor's orders and driving
on your own is another story.
— John Rushton
July 6, 2002
Hi Heather, first off, you should ask your surgeon *G*, though if your car
is an automatic AND you are off the pain meds, you should be okay to drive.
The Dr. will want you off the narcotics for obvious driving impairment
reasons.. *G* but liquid tylenol would be okay. I own a stick shift and
have yet to drive my own car, but I've had an automatic available to me for
the past couple of weeks, I drove for the first time about 3 weeks out, by
choice. I had support folks around who were happy to drive me. If you
aren't off the pain meds or it just doesn't feel right, please, put your
hubby in a cab. God bless!
— Joscelin
July 6, 2002
My surgeon gave me clearance to drive as soon as I was off of my pain meds.
I find that driving actually gets my mind off of the tenderness too.
— Tina B.
July 6, 2002
I actually found I preferred to drive than to be a passenger for the first
few weeks, because I was able to drive much more cautiously over potholes
and speedbumps that still hurt my tummy!
— sheltie
July 6, 2002
I actually found I preferred to drive than to be a passenger for the first
few weeks, because I was able to drive much more cautiously over potholes
and speedbumps that still hurt my tummy!
— sheltie
July 6, 2002
Hi,I had my open RNY on June 17th and I wasn't in a great deal of pain so
when I came home from the hospital I had pain meds but didn't have the need
for them.But I tried driving 2-weeks after and was ok,it just depends on if
your car sits low or if you have a truck and have to pull up in it. I was
still kinda sore after I got settled down,just make sure you don't have to
get in and out of your car.Good Luck!!!I will pray for you to have a safe
op and healthy speedy recovery.
— BOBBIE R.
July 6, 2002
I had my lap RNY on Tuesday, home on Thursday, took my last pain medication
on Saturday night, drove to church on Sunday, and was back to work
full-time on Wednesday. Everyone's story is a little different, and I was
fortunate enough to have a wonderful post-op course. Just listen to your
body...it's the only one who really knows what's going on with you...and be
sure that you have been off any medication for pain for at least 24 hours
before driving. Good luck!
— Diana T.
July 6, 2002
Hi, I had my Lap on Mon. came home Wed. I was driving on Fri. Was back at
work the following Tue. I would think to the dentist would be fine, as long
as you are up to it..Again everyone is different Best of luck to you Tish
— Tisha W.
July 6, 2002
My surgeon also said no driving as long as you are taking any of the
narcotic pain medicine. If you are given a "binder", wear it !!
It will give you good support, and also help prevent any hernias from
occurring. In fact, my surgeon suggested it be worn for 4-6 weeks,
however, with the hot weather, I haven't been very obedient. Good luck.
— Dispatcher M.
July 7, 2002
Heather--I had my surgery 6/4/02 was released from the hospital on 6/6 and
I actually drove on 6/7 to the store. I was NOT on any pain meds
whatsoever though. So I would say you should base it on how you feel---if
you feel you can drive then go for it but just make sure you're not on the
pain meds!!!! Hope that helps!
— Bambi C.
July 7, 2002
I was able to drive my automatic car on Day 6 after my surgery. I would
not have been able to drive a standard transmission. I probably could have
driven a day earlier, IF I can emotionally felt like it. But I wouldn't
have wanted to do so.
— Kathy J.
July 8, 2002
My surgery was on 7/2/02 and I was discharged on 7/6/02. The ride home was
a little hard to tolerate - Im glad it was only 6 minutes. As I sit here on
the computer, I feel like I can drive with no problem.... however, I was a
passenger in a car today and I kinda felt a little 'motion sickness'.. not
really sick, but just not right. Im definately going to wait the full 2
weeks that the doctor reccommends,
— Valerie H.
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