The Drive Home

Hi Everyone,

My surgery is scheduled for April 18th. 2018. I live two and a half hours from the surgery center. I want to drive home as soon as I am released from the hospital to avoid extra hotel days and days my dogs have to be boarded. How realistic is this? How much pain were you in? Did riding in the car make it worse?

Thanks so much!

Given the meds that you were recently on most hospitals wont let you drive.

joe

My pain was well controlled by meds, which were definitely needed. It is not at all good idea to drive yourself home at that point, as you too will have drugs in your system. Is there someone who can drive you? I live 90 minutes from the hospital I had my RnY in, and my son drove me home. I didn't find the ride overly uncomfortable, but was a bit wiped out, and glad to get into bed when we got home. I suspect you will be ok with the trip, but as a passenger, rather than the driver.

Sorry, poor wording on my part. I'm not the one driving. I'm going to have to ride in the car for 2.5 hours. Is that doable?

As a passenger, yes, it is doable. As others mentioned, bring a little pillow to hold against your stomach, and another for your head, plus maybe a little blanket for coziness. Recline the seat and get as comfy as you can. You should be fine!

My hospital wouldn't release a patient without someone first being there to drive them.

I wouldn't want to be on the same road as you right after being released from major surgery. Not for 2-1/2 hours.

Ditto to what has already been said, now if you are talking about riding as the passenger, it's doable, but not very comfortable. Be sure to have a pillow to hold over your tummy. My ride was about 45 minutes to an hour and I felt every bump and pothole and was exhausted until I got home. Also, if possible, get your prescription for pain meds in advance. That was not an option for me and we had to stop at the pharmacy on the way home - it was late and Walmart was the only one that was still open and of course there was a wait. That was torture.

My ride home with was 2 hours with DH driving - as the others said we shouldn't be driving at that point. I held a pillow on my lap and reclined the seat. I was fine.

I just came home from the hospital last night and my ride home was a little under 1 hour. I knew it would be uncomforrabe so I asked for my last dose of pain meds just before I left. it also helps exponentially if you can get the nurses to give you an abdominal binder so you're not jiggling around as much. my ride was surprisingly easy due to those factors...but yeah you can't drive yourself. if there is nobody available from your family or friends you may need to get an Uber but they will never discharge you without a driver and even if your pain meds are worn off, you will be in too much pain to safely drive.

Very realistic to expect to be able to ride 2.5 hours based on my own experience.

I too was about a 2.5 hour ride in a pickup (which rides like..well..a pickup). I was somewhat unique, in that I had very little pain or discomfort right from the get-go. When they released me, there was some discomfort, but nothing that really sent me for a loop and I nixed the pain meds right away. My parents were my ride, and they were quite surprised at my stride walking out of the hospital. I climbed into the truck, got situated and the ride was fine. I did have a pillow held against my gut, and I highly recommend that. When I got home, I slid out of the truck and climbed the stairs to the house without issue.