Question:
Should I be driving so soon?

I had the DS. on April 18th. I'm about 11 days post op and down 22 lbs forever... (just had to get that in!) I am going stir crazy in the house. I feel great and have had no problems at all. I'm still a little sore, but not too much. I know the doc said not to drive until my follow up, but I just HAD to! Has anyone else driven before the doc release? Do you think it is safe? It's not like I'm all doped up on pain meds or anything. I'm going crazy in this house, plus I need to take my daughter to and from school next week! Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!    — Kim B. (posted on April 30, 2001)

April 29, 2001
My doc said as long as you are off pain meds and feel comfortable enough to react in an emergency that it was OK to start before the follow up.
   — Lisa B.

April 29, 2001
I had my open rny on 4/18 too. Congrats to you! I also was going stir crazy at home and drove 11 days post-op. I had no problems. I even took a short walk at our local park. Yesterday 4/29, I felt realy great and was in and out most of the day. I don't see any reason to stay down if you are feeling well and not on any meds. Good Luck!~
   — Michele C.

April 30, 2001
If you are off pain meds, go ahead but be careful. You don't want to have to 'slam on the brakes' cause you might pull something.
   — Cindy H.

December 3, 2002
I was 4 days post-op when I came home from the hospital. I had no one to help me except for my children (ages 14 and 10). Although they could help me with the housework and help me physically, they weren't able to drive and we had no other way to get food except for me to drive. I never needed any pain meds after I came home, so I started driving 5 days post-op. However, the discharge orders did say no driving for 2 weeks. I advise that anyone who drives within the first 2 weeks after surgery make sure they aren't on any pain meds and make sure you are very careful about hurting yourself.
   — SnowWhiteDove459