Question:
When can I drive a car after surgery?
I have not heard anyone say how soon I can drive after surgery. I know I can't that day or shortly thereafter since I will be on meds. But I do all the driving for my husband and myself and would really like to know when it is safe to drive. Thanks. — Melinda W. (posted on December 10, 2002)
December 10, 2002
I had surgery on 12/5/02(lap rny) I go back on 12/20/02 to have my staples
removed. My surgeon said to wait until I have them removed that would be 2
weeks. To tell the truth I don't feel like riding in a car let alone
driving it.
— Lisa B. A.
December 10, 2002
My surgeon did not release me to drive until 3 weeks post op. Got my
staples out in 2 weeks and then could drive at 3. I didn't leave the house
for about 5 weeks and started getting the kids from school just to get out
a little before I was due to go back to work.
— Sharon H.
December 10, 2002
LAP-RNY on October 8, 2002. Home from hospital on October 10, 2002, drove
on October 12 I think. Went back to work on the 15th, a bit too soon, but I
did it, nevertheless. Down 51 lbs and getting happier. Good luck to you.
— Steve B.
December 10, 2002
I had Lap RNY on Nov. 18. I was driving two days after getting home. The
real criteria is; any pain meds, and can you hit the brake without
hesitation. Admittedly, I only drove a little locally. It still took a
few days to get all the cobwebs out and for my energy level and attention
span to increase, but within a few more days I was fine. The only early
problem was with speed bumps and any rough road. Good Luck!
— Jonathan F.
December 10, 2002
I am pre-op (5 weeks tomorrow!), but have already gotten most of my
guidelines from my surgeon. He says no driving until after 2 weeks. Beth
— Beth S.
December 10, 2002
WOW! I do have to comment that the people whose surgeons let them drive at
2 and 3 days scare me!! Here's why you should not drive for 10 days....it
takes that long for the anesthesia to leave your system. You may think you
can slam on the brakes, but you won't believe how your reaction time is
slowed by the anesthesia. So the general guideline from at least 3
surgeons here in Pittsburgh is no driving for 10 days. If you are still on
pain meds that far out you need to increase it to 48 hours after your last
pain med dose. This is for your safety and the safety of those around you
as well. Good luck to you! Renee D
— Renee D.
December 11, 2002
Your question caught my eye hehe. I, too do most of the driving. Our
friends think it is so funny that my husband just automatically goes to the
passenger side!! He just does not like to drive and I have trained him not
to comment on my driving lol. After surgery, he did all the driving and
then about 2 weeks after, I automatically went to the drivers side and
began driving. It hit me that I was driving when I came to my first stop
lol. I guess I was ready and feeling better and just didn't think about it
till that point. I do remember my doctor recommending to wait atleast 2
weeks before doing so. Good luck and happy holidays!!
— ncgal
December 11, 2002
I had a lap rny (no staples) and when I asked my doctor this question, his
answer was "whenever you feel up to it, as long as you're not on pain
meds". Since I never took the pain meds once I left the hospital,
that wasn't a consideration.
I had my operation on a Friday and I was driving the next Thursday or
Friday, but only for short jaunts to the store to get out of the house.
Had I actually NEEDED to drive earlier, I think I could have, but I
wouldn't attempt long distances. In my case, no one was depending on me
for a ride; they were all pampering me and driving me around, LOL.
— sandsonik
December 11, 2002
I had open RNY and was released to drive and return to work when they took
my staples out 12 days post-op. Of course, I wasn't taking any pain
medications.
— Patty_Butler
Click Here to Return