How soon after surgery could you drive?

CeciliaVera · October 2014

Hello! I had a BMX, no recon, on 9/23. So far, so good--it was great to get the drains taken out a few days ago. Eeeeesh.

At that post-op visit, the dr was very "just use common sense" about activity levels. I am 42 and rather athletic/active, so she was also warning me to avoid doing too much too soon.

I realize that everyone is on a different recovery timeline, but I am curious: if you have recovered or are recovering from a BMX, no recon, when did you feel you could...

...drive safely? (FYI, I have a stick shift and had SND on the right side.) Did you ease in, going short distances first, or just resume?

...exercise normally? I'm a runner. So far, I have been taking very short walks and doing some gentle stretches and exercises from the dr.

Thanks for any answers and any other comments or tips on recuperating. Good health to all!

aunt_paula · October 2014

I had BMX and SNB on right side, and got the same advice--was cleared to drive whenever I felt like it. I drove about a week and a half after surgery, a short distance, but really only because I really had to; I would have been more comfortable waiting a few more days. I have a high pain threshold, so it wasn't so much about pain/discomfort (really didn't have a lot of pain), but more about not trusting myself to react quickly if I needed to. (I have an automatic, so am no help with the stick shift.)

I was not a big exerciser at the time, but was able to do walks and did do stretches and exercises the surgeon suggested, and I think they helped tremendously, especially walking my fingers up and down the wall.

I hope your recovery is smooth and that you're back to doing what you want soon!

badger · October 2014

hi CeciliaVera, I just found your post. Hope you're doing OK. ♥

I had bilateral mx with sentinel node bx and didn't drive for at least a month. I took two weeks off work and didn't do much but rest and recuperate. When I did go back to work (desk job) someone else drove for a while. It's amazing how many chest muscles you use while driving, esp if you drive a stick.

Tip: get a small pillow to put between you and the seat belt. Much more comfy. Potholes are hell when your chest is ultra-sensitive.

C'mon over to Let's Post our Daily Exercise thread. We're a supportive bunch who span the gamut from hard-core to mellow. We run, cycle, swim, spin, dance, pump iron, do yoga and walk.

How soon after surgery could you drive?

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