Topic: How long until you were driving?

Do not drive as long as you are taking narcotic pain meds.  Once you are down to taking Tylenol or another OTC pain reliever, you should be able to drive.  Just use a nice fluffy pillow under the seat belt.  For me, with a BLM, it was ten days. 

Ann--I had a bilateral mx and drove to have drains removed about ten days later, but I had driven with the drains in for a few days before that.  I think I only took the pain meds maybe once or twice after coming home from the hospital though.  And, I had no reconstruction projects underway, which makes it easier.  And no freeways; not much traffic here in August.   

It made me nervous that my husband had to drive me everywhere; I didn't like it but I also wasn't to the point where I wanted to ask friends.  My sisters came to visit for a week and that helped a lot; I made them bring me stuff and drive me places. . .that was a highlight of the whole experience. 

Pillow under seat belt=really good idea.

I don't think you should drive until you feel you are ready; it sounds to me like your husband is a pretty devoted fellow, and this is something he can do for you.   

I hope you feel better soon.

Cathy

CBM and Celtic Spirit, WOW, such good advice. No one told me about the pillows! 

See how much we learn and can teach here!

Best to you all, 

Sue 

PS, I had to remove my own drains. My BS called to check on the drainage and it was minimal. I am a nurse. He said to come on down and he would take them out.  I had no last minute ride. He told me to get a mirror and take out the sutures. I sat on the toilet seat for a very LONNNNNG time after removing them. I felt like the magician taking the scarves out of the hat......haha

hey cool breeze, not so brave as i thought!

Let me put my head down between my knees........ok, now i feel better........

Never had the same stuff as you..............you are one strong lady!

Everyone is different so go with your own feeling on it.  My experience with major surgery in the past made me take this one slow and easy.  I knew I could drive if I needed to as soon as I was off the pain meds.  However, think about having to slam on the brakes or quickly avoid an obstacle especially if you have kids in your car.  Take it at your own pace but don't rush it. I hope you heal quickly.