Question:
I'm having lap band surgery on June 26th. When can I begin driving again?
Not only would I like to hear about driving, but also about getting around in general. I don't have many people to help me with things so I need to plan well. Is the recovery painful? Thanks, Susan — [Deactivated Member] (posted on June 20, 2007)
June 19, 2007
Susan,
I was driving 4 days post op. The first 6 days post op were the toughest
for me. Take your pain meds and walk, walk, walk.
Rebecca Biles
— R. biles
June 20, 2007
Susan - I had surgery mon 6/18 at 1330 and am at work today, wed 6/20.
today is the first day I have driven. Definately the day of surgery is the
worst and my daughter was there for tuesday....but my doc said don't let
people wait on you - do it yourself. It keeps you moving and that makes
the air they pump into you come out easier. I drove to work today. Of
course, I did not take my pain med and only gas x - so i'll see how long I
can last. Carlotta
— CDJ
June 20, 2007
The previous writers are my heros.I did not drive for 3 weeks.Part of the
problem was turning/twisting to get in and out of my car.I would not
suggest driving while under the influence of pain medication.It's a gradual
process to start driving again.I would be out shopping and would become
exhausted after just a little while. Had I had to drive myself home, it
woulld have been difficult/uncomfortable. Follow the advice of your surgeon
and best of luck to you.
— purnellj
June 20, 2007
Jessica wrote my post. Huzzah for people who can drive straight out the
gate. It was at least 3 weeks for me, too, and it was the twisting motion.
Same thing that kept me sleeping in my recliner. Do you have a recliner,
Susan? Mine was a Godsend.
I didn't think the recovery was *especially* painful, but it was my only
surgery and I have nothing to compare it to. Getting up and down the first
few days was pretty rough, but that's why they make Lortab. :)
Best of luck! I'm very excited for you!
— Jeanie
June 20, 2007
Hi I had lap band surgery on May 29th and I went back to work the third
day after surgery, the most uncomfortable part of recovery for me was the
gas, if you walk walk walk it helps with the gas. I only worked 4 hours a
day for 2 days and then back to normal. I did get a wound infections so
that has been the most annoying part of the surgery. I am doing well 3
weeks out. No pain really to speak off. Good luck to you.
Cathy M
— baemkkgrandma
June 20, 2007
First let me say good luck to you...and congrats! If you want to start out
right, get up in the hospital as soon as you can. I had my surgery, came
out of recovery, and asked how soon I could walk. I asked for help getting
up right away, then got myself up as often as I could that night. I
walked, I drank fluids, I walked some more! I was released the next day,
and I was driving 4 days out (my doc wanted me to wait a week). I only
drove because it was a necessity, and of course I was not taking any pain
meds. I'll be honest with you, I could have driven sooner...or at least I
thought I could have. My first trip out was tiring, and the simplest thing
like a bumpy road did hurt! I went back to work 5 days post op to do
payroll, then back full time in only two weeks, with lifting restrictions.
I was going nuts being at home, and didn't like being dependant on others.
In hindsight, I think I should have used all the time I had available! In
the first days out, water and walking will be your new best friends!
— Karrie W.
June 20, 2007
I started driving at day 4 (so I could go back to work). I have an office
job so that part was easy. The first couple days after being at work all
day, the drive home was moderately painful from the bumps in the road. I
would have bee nbetter off waiting a couple more days. I got around fine
otherwise.
— Donna O.
June 20, 2007
Susan, you should not drive on pain meds, so when you stop them you can
drive. Pain is a very personal thing, so hopefully you have the will to
stop pain meds quickly. Also you will get around just fine with the lap
band. My surgeon had lap band done and was at work back to surgery the
next day. How strong is your will? Use it! Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
June 24, 2007
I drove the next day after I was out of the hospital -- it will all depend
on how you feel. I asked my surgeon if it was okay for me to drive and he
said if I felt like it. Doing so got me up and out of the house and kept
me moving --which we need to do after surgery anyway.
— the7thdean
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