Question:
How long after surgery do I have to wait to drive?

My husband and I are considering haveing surgery the same day or maybe a day or two apart and I need to know how long the doctor will make us wait to drive home. We have a 3 hour drive home and I do know that we will have to stop every hour or so and walk for 5-10 minutes. Do you think we will need to wait a little longer? We really don't have anyone that can take us home, 1. because my family is totally against us having the surgery and 2. because his family is too far away. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks    — Renee S. (posted on April 27, 2002)

April 27, 2002
Hi! I was told no driving post until my check-up. But then the assisting doc who discharged me said no driving for as long as I was taking the pain meds (percocets). I drove exactly 2 weeks post and let me say this, it pulled a bit on my innards :p So you may want to get someone else to drive you home. Perhaps take a taxi or ride a bus if there is one. That soon after surgery you'll most likely need pain meds and it's dagerous to drive while on them. Specially if they make you sleepy. Wouldn't be right to survive surgery only to die falling asleep at the wheel. Good luck to both of you. I wish you the best of luck!
   — Renee V.

April 27, 2002
I began to drive within the first two weeks after my laporscopic surgery. I think it was about day 12. Up to that time my family drove me to where I needed to go. It may have been a little quick for me, but my limitations were lighter since I had the laporscopic and not full abdominal incisions. Good Luck
   — Janet P.

April 27, 2002
There wasn't anyway I could have driven myself home after WLS and I was in the hospital for 5 days. I was way to sore to move my feet around to manipulate gas and brake pedals, not to mention the fact that I was still sluggish from the morphine, even though I had been off of it for 24 hours before being discharged. I know everyone is different, which is exactly why you should really find someone to drive you home, because you have no way of knowing how either of you are going to feel. If there isn't any way to accomplish this, maybe one of you should have your surgery now and the other one should wait 2 to 3 weeks to have theirs. I know this isn't what you want, but you may have no alternative. Besides, it would be really nice for you two to be able take care of each other, in turn, after WLS. If you have it at the same time, you won't be able to help one another out as much. Just a thought, hope it all works out for you. Good luck.
   — Susan M.

April 27, 2002
My Doc said I was able to drive as soon as I was off narcotic drug (codene). I did file about a week and a half after open rny. Some advice though, is to seperate surgeries by at least a month or two. Give one a chance to take care of the other and vice-versa
   — Dell H.

April 27, 2002
I would recommend against the two of you having surgery so close together. Like Susan said, you will be too sore to drive and want to be on pain meds. And also, when you get home, you will need someone to do the cooking, cleaning and basic things like grocery shopping or someone to run out and get you a movie to watch when you are going through your 'feeling cooped up time'. You will definitely need help for just the basic tasks. You need this time to relax, nap, and let your body heal. It can heal faster if it is treated properly during this time. I would reconsider it. And if one of you does go first...shhhh you go first, men lose faster, lol. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy your journey!
   — Cheri M.

April 27, 2002
I lived approximately four hours from the hospital where my lap RNY was performed, and my husband drove me home two days post-op. As far as the mechanics of driving were concerned, I think that I wouldn't have had trouble braking or steering. However, I was given a tablet for pain just before leaving the hospital, as well as another tablet "for the road". My surgeon's instructions were that I could drive as soon as I was no longer needing any medication for pain. By the fourth post-op day, I was only needing the medication at night, and was driving without any difficulty. Perhaps you and your husband can arrange to stay a few extra nights in a local hotel before starting your trip home. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

April 27, 2002
I drove at 2 weeks following my Lap RNY and I found that I was sore each time I drove so I stopped for another week. There is alot of stomach muscle involvement you never think of when you break and turn around. Just being in the car initially seemed to make me queasy. I didn't take any pain meds when I came home so that would not have been a good guide for me. Suggestion: Call some private Limo services and see if you can make a cheaper arrangement for a long term trip. It will be much better to arrive safely. Good Luck
   — Hedy W.