Do you really think I can't drive?

chelseymat

The nurse told me I can't drive for two weeks. They never told me this the other two times and I was out and about less than a week after surgery....just for dr apts and what not......So why can't I this time?? 

amymichelleh13

My doc said as long as I was off painkillers and felt like I could stomp on the brake and react quickly then I was fine to drive.

khays8785

amymichelleh13 said:

My doc said as long as I was off painkillers and felt like I could stomp on the brake and react quickly then I was fine to drive.

This, and I was off painkillers and drove for the first time about 1.5 weeks PP..

Tallulahsmom

I drove as soon as I stopped the painkillers and felt up to it.

mysticl

I was told 4 to 6 weeks and I was given a "test" to pass before I drove.  I had to be able to reach forward and press with both feet (break, gas, and clutch) and look over both shoulders (blind spot check) with out pain.  

RayRay007

I was never told anything about driving. I think that as long as you feel you can control the pedals and aren't hooped up on narcotics, you should be fine. 

kanned0121

Each doctor has different rules. But I was told I could drive once I was done with pain meds, when I felt comfortable doing so.

24karat

amymichelleh13 said:

My doc said as long as I was off painkillers and felt like I could stomp on the brake and react quickly then I was fine to drive.

This is pretty much exactly what I was told.

annabelle.27

They never told me I couldn't drive. I was driving on my own on day 5.

MissJenna2011

With my first 1 was told 2 weeks no driving, it was a rough recovery so it was more like 4 weeks. With my 2nd I was driving 5 days after but just a few blocks to take our son to swim & preschool, I was no longer on pain meds and felt comfortable. But make sure you can twist to check blind spots and hit the brakes ect

chicagobride_07

I drove about two weeks post surgery

Eleventy11

I was told two weeks with my first, and after I was done with pain medicine this time. I drove a 160 mile round trip a week after having my DS with no issues.

amandalgreene86

The driving thing is to make sure you're not driving while on pain killers and bc your insides have gone through a lot...if you were to be in an accident the trauma would/could cause severe damage.

notkateanymore

I think it's pretty standard, I was told two weeks as well.

Enami

I drove at about 1w pp. I wore my girdle aal the time, which helped manage my pain by keeping everything from moving, and I was only taking Vicodin right before bed, so I just didn't drive late evenings or early mornings.

Schell2013

I would say when your off meds that could affect your reaction time, able to step on the gas etc. you should be fine to drive, at least that is what my doctor told me.

jdubh

I wouldn't drive. What if you're an in accident...have you ever been hit by and air bag?

liamsmommy74

I was told 2 weeks because of the fact that you actually use your abdominal area to press the brake so he said if I could slam on the brake (in case I had to) without pain and not on pain meds then I was ok. 

kpahl

I was told 1 month the first time and I drove about 3.5 weeks later. This time was told a month and drove at 2 weeks. Just use common sense and know if you can do it or not.