when can I drive again

[cherrybell 0]

I will be driving to Dallas for my surgery ( I plan on doing this without anyone with me ) and was wondering if they will allow me to drive myself to my hotel 2 days after and then 2 days later driving myself 6 hours home. Is this reasonable or should I grant myself a few more hotel days? I have not had my consult with the doctor yet but I am trying to get an idea of things that I might expect. Thanks all.

[Billy363627 15]

My doc told me that as long as I was not on pain meds I was more than welcome to drive. But had to have someone drive me otherwise.

[Can'tweight 41]

I will be driving to Dallas for my surgery ( I plan on doing this without anyone with me ) and was wondering if they will allow me to drive myself to my hotel 2 days after and then 2 days later driving myself 6 hours home. Is this reasonable or should I grant myself a few more hotel days? I have not had my consult with the doctor yet but I am trying to get an idea of things that I might expect. Thanks all.

No they won't. You have to be off all your pain meds before you can drive. I don't think it would be wise to try and drive yourself after 4 days without pain meds for 6 hours. Unless, you are Wonder Woman...seriously. I would give yourself more hotel days. But that is just my opinion.

[Gregg 0]

thats to far, u need to be off pain meds 48 hours before driving, and sitting in a car that long you will need to stop freq to walk around to get blood circulating to prevent clots. deff. no

[2bslimkim 11]

Is there an airport near your home? My thought is to save the money on the extra Hotel fees and fly to and from Dallas. Catch a cab to and from the the Hospital.

I know many people go to Mexico and travel home by air several days after surgery.

I just don't think you should drive 6 hr until you are on pure liquid diet and you are able to achieve the 60 grams of Protein needed.

You will not be able to eat the first week except Clear liquids and you will be very light headed from surgery and from a very low calorie, low Protein diet. I felt like crap until I was able to start Protein shakes and that was day 5. You will not fell like driving. First of all, you will need to nap up until about 5or 6 days out.

I started driving my son to and from school at 8 days out. I would have never considered an 6 hour drive solo. You will be required to stop every hour to walk to avoid blood clotting. Have you check the Greyhound schedule or even Amtrak. I ride Amtrak to and from Fort Worth to Austin TX on a regular bases. You can even get a sleeper cabin. If you could just get yourself close enough to your home town that someone could pick you up and drive you the remainder of the way.

Let us know what you decide.

I

[Caitlyn_Cat 7]

I agree with the others. I'm one week out today, off narcotic pain meds as of two days ago and JUST drove my kids to school this morning. I'm doing ok right now, but the idea of a 6 hour drive this soon out gives me the shivers. I strongly suggest looking at your other options.

~~Dee

[cwalker 12]

I will be driving to Dallas for my surgery ( I plan on doing this without anyone with me ) and was wondering if they will allow me to drive myself to my hotel 2 days after and then 2 days later driving myself 6 hours home. Is this reasonable or should I grant myself a few more hotel days? I have not had my consult with the doctor yet but I am trying to get an idea of things that I might expect. Thanks all.

Book a room from hospital and call a taxi or hotel shuttle, you probably need 3 days before you drive and you might need to stop half way and stay in another hotel.

[sleeve 4 me 910]

I drove on day 14 post op...I felt alive again lol

[myownnewdestiny 2]

I drove 3 days post surgery and went to work. It was a short drive (10 mins) and I was fine.

I agree with the others, the problem with the long hours drive you will face is the part where you dont walk and move around. It is very important to get the exercise. Good Luck!

[Rev Me Up! 75]

It all about the pain meds and food. I had an epidural that was taken out the day I left the hospital (day 3) and I could not have driven any distance like that for at least 2 weeks after. Partially because of the medication, partially because I couldn't eat much of anything and I was exhausted all the time.

Good luck,

Lara

[Can'tweight 41]

I will be driving to Dallas for my surgery ( I plan on doing this without anyone with me ) and was wondering if they will allow me to drive myself to my hotel 2 days after and then 2 days later driving myself 6 hours home. Is this reasonable or should I grant myself a few more hotel days? I have not had my consult with the doctor yet but I am trying to get an idea of things that I might expect. Thanks all.

Ok cherrybell...I replied to this post already but thought you should know this.

I am now 18 days post-op and had to do quite a bit of driving around town then 3 hrs to Georgetown and 3 hrs back. I probably spent a total of 8 hrs in the car today and I have to tell you I am quite a bit sore. Again, I am 18 days post-op. Granted I forgot my binder at home, but I thought about you when we got home 30 mins ago (at 3am) and I just wanted to let you know so it could give you a better idea of what it could be like for you...without pain meds...and 6 days post-op. I would not do it!!! Sorry...hope you can make some other kind of arrangements.