driving? how soon after surgery?

Just wondering how soon after your surgery you were able to drive? I have 4 daughters that dance 7 days a week and I am trying to figure out how long I'll need to ask for favors for rides for them!

Michele

It should depend on what your doctor says but I too have 4 kids at home who are very active and my wonderful DH couldn't stay home forever and drive the kids around so I was driving after a week but that was driving dropping off and picking up if they need someone to stay with them you will want someone else to take them. going out that early where you have to sit and wait is exhausting and for me I had pain when i sat up to long. Good luck I hope this helps

A lot will also depend upon the type of surgery you had (aka incision site and size)...and how you feel.

I had an LSH, so three small incisions. I still found that I felt a bit of a pulling sensation when I turned to look out the back window with lane changes and backing up.

I'm in the wine biz, so my car is my office. This means that I spend anywhere from 6-10 hours getting in and out of my car....so I chose not to drive for the first three weeks. I tried on week two, but over did it and spent the next day resting.

Whatever you do, be careful and take it easy. You have one chance to heal properly.

When you can drive depends on your doctor and what kind of procedure you have. I had a vaginal hysterectomy, and my doctor said I could drive as soon as I felt like it and wasn't on narcotics. I drove my kids to school this morning (only about a mile but it was 10 degrees and they were running late), and I was ready to lie down by the time I got home. It tired me out, but I was ready to do it. I don't know if I could've handled a much longer drive.

I would not rush it. It depends on your surgery but most doctors don't want you to drive for at least a week and a half, maybe two weeks. I tried driving at 3 weeks and found it caused me pain later in the day, so I decided to wait a bit longer. Plus you are not as alert as you could be after surgery, even if you are not taking narcotics anymore. You're just more tired and worn down.

If you can have someone drive your kids for the first two or three weeks, do it. Or else curtail their activities for awhile. It's not the time to be doing for others - others need to be doing for you. You only get one chance to heal up right the first time.

My doctor warned me strongly that tearing those internal stitches, which could happen in an emergency maneuver, or if you forget and lift things in or out of the car - think groceries or kids in car seats - is a real bad thing.

Kathy
LAVH 12/10/08

I had a TAH and choose not to drive for 5 weeks even though I was not on medication since the surgery, I just did not have the energy. A lot depends on the surgery and meds.

My doctor told me six weeks. I had a horizontal incision ("bikini cut"). You have to understand that there are internal stitches that could be affected by driving, vacuuming or other lifting or stretching activities. Ask your doctor what his advice is for you to drive.

My dr cleared me to drive after 2 weeks but I did not feel I was up to it, so I actually drove myself to my 4 week post op check. If you must drive make sure it is short trips and I would avoid multiple times in a day. You will be tired and since everyone is different you will need to base the timeline on how you feel and what your dr recommends.

I had a TAH (bikini Cut) on the 4th of December, tried driving today and it was not a great idea... Felt exhausted, and a strange numb feeling, so best get help for the full 6 weeks, you can always change the arrangement on how you are feeling... can't take chances with your precious girls in the car!

Good Luck!!!

I drove short distances about 1 week after my LSH. The turning to look back, etc. was a bit uncomfortable so it was short drives only.