driving?

I was just wondering for those ladies who had a VH, when did you get to start driving. My ob/gyn never told me and I don't go back to see him until the 22nd. I seriously am thinking about finding a different ob/gyn because mine never tells me much of anything.

Hi,

Most doctors recommend not driving for at least two weeks, or until you are off of all narcotic pain meds, can turn your body at a 90 degree angle, and can stomp on the brake hard without pain.

However, you should definitely call and ask your doctor what he recommends. Only he would know what you had done and what is best. Some doctors aren't very free with information - mine certainly wasn't either. Most of what I learned pre-op came from Hyster Sisters.

s,

Lisa

I was also told no driving before my two week post op appointment. My DH is having ear surgery on Wednesday and I was considering taking him because it will be two weeks from the surgery date but my appoointment is not until Friday. In talking to my sister she agreed that being on the meds is probably the biggest concern but as she put it, one little mishap on the road and will you be able to quickly deal with it. She is right...especially here in wonderful Michigan. So I have decided not to be stubborn and have a driver drop us off and pick us up...

Good luck,
Karyn

Yeah, the lovely ole Michigan weather. Don't you just love it? i've lived in Michigan all my life and I HATE the winters. What happened to your hubby's ear? I had ear surgery back in 2000 because my ear drum collapsed. Hope he has a speedy recovery.

hi jenny... i was told no driving for 4 weeks .... to be safe... phone and check.... take care.. mary. xx

I am 2 weeks and 3 days post-op and I had my 2 week appt. last Wednesday. My DR said I could drive then. On Thursday I drove to my school ( a 5 minute drive) and I was in pain on Friday. After resting for a day I was feeling fine again. Now I have another appt. this Wednesday for something different and I'm afraid to drive. Maybe 2 weeks is too soon. I would definately call my DR.

Good Luck during your recovery.

Hi there! My doctor wouldn't let me drive for 4 weeks. When I was whining a little about this restriction, she explained it like this. She said, imagine a worst case scenario. You're driving along, and a small child darts in front of your car. Your foot goes to slam on your brakes, but it HURTS your abdominal muscles, so your foot unconsciously pulls back, and you don't hit the brakes as hard as you should. NOT pleasant to think about the possibilities...

In other words, you shouldn't drive until your doctor says so, and until you can SLAM on the brakes, hard, and it doesn't hurt. So, once you are released, I would recommend going to an empty parking lot, or an empty street, and practice braking.

Plus, you might want to check with your auto insurance company. I found out mine doesn't cover anyone for 30 days after they were under general anesthesia!

Hi Jenny,
I too had a TVH, on 12/18/03. My dr only told me not to drive while on narcotics. I did consult my sisters here and the general answer was 2 weeks. I did drive at the 2 week mark and did not have any problems. I have found that getting in and out of the car too many times does take its toll. I am usually more tired than in any discomfort.

Good luck and enjoy the rest and relaxation.

Christa

I think the main cancern with driving is your reflexes aren't nomral yet if you are in any pain. You shouldn't drive either if you are still taking pain meds. Most dr. seem to say 2 weeks from what I can see here. I did start even before that, but my pain was minor and wasn't taking anything for it, didn't need it and the first trip was a short trip to the store. Saw my dr. yesterday and I'm 2 weeks out today, drove a distance to the dentist this afternoon, no problems, but I feel really good. Best advise is talk to your dr. and see what they say and how you feel.

Hi jensloan

I drove myself to my post op appt in 10 days from surgery. TVH.
I felt fine. I had felt fine since 5th day post op. Mr dr was a little upset with me. I explained, I had been walking since 5th day, biking since lst week, and was feeling wonderful. He told me to slow down. I did not drive as much as I normally would, but still drove after 2nd week.

Light housekeeping 3 weeks on; vaccumming, laundry, dishwasher, dusting etc.

I have read threads about insurance not covering you if you are in an accident, 4 weeks from surgery, under general anesthesia. I had stopped all meds, sleeping and pain, since 5th day. I did not take any aspirin or tylenol. Felt great.

I was swimming two weeks post op (dr ok'd).

I am 4 weeks post op tomorrow and chomping at the bit to go back to aerobics and pilates, but will wait until 5-6 weeks, heard too many horror stories.

I feel wonderful, and hope you do too!!!!

I honestly feel, our bodies tell us when we do too much...



We all recover at different stages.

Hope this helps!

PS I am 47 yrs young..