driving post-op...

i'm sure those of you in the 5 boroughs where there is alternate side will appreciate this question... i know we're not supposed to drive right after surgery, but here's my question.  i have a manual (stick shift) explorer and i'm a single parent of 2 young kiddies.  i live in brooklyn and am subjected to alternate side 4 days out of 7.  i plan on having open rny in a few weeks, and am worried about moving my vehicle from side to side.  anyone else have this concern?  what did you do about it? NOTE: no one else in my family can drive my car, not even my best friend can drive it.  anyone think i'll have problems moving it? thanks in advance for any responses.

iserene17 Hello, welcome. I know driving is an individual thing and different surgeons have different recommendations. I think 2 things WILL you and SHOULD you! Although no one knows how long recovery in the hospital will be I will start there. What if you are in for 3-5 days or more? Do you have arrangements for that? Just a thought. Then most surgeons do not 'allow' driving until you are off pain meds. For some this is a day others it is weeks? Now will you physically be able to get into a car and drive, not sure how you will feel. I can say even riding in a car was challenging for me (soreness etc) as mobility is somewhat limited! I do not live in the city so not an issue for myself but I can see the dilemna! I can only think about leaving car at a parking garage or something and paying to have it stored for a while? Ma not be even feasible I do not know. I wonder if anyone locally on OH lives close who could assist? Have you spoken to surgeon about this as well who could give you a heads up on typical (again no one knows what your process and recovery will individually be like..) I wish u well! Jamie

you're right...  i know i shouldn't but i probably will. there are no parking garages in my mostly residential neighborhood.  the closest one would be at my workplace.  i'll give more thought to options, but right now, my mind's blank. thanks for taking the time out to respond. have a great day! dee

I didn't drive for about 10 days after surgery...mostly due to the pain killers...but, I don't think moving the vehicle would hurt since you wouldn't be driving a long distance.  Good luc****ep us updated. Rosemary

it's mostly just across the street.  i'm just wanting to know if anyone was actually unable to drive that short a distance exclusively because of pain.  to be honest though, when you don't have a choice, pretty much ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right?

I don't believe the reason you are told not to drive is cause of the pain as the fact your reaction time isn't going to be as fast, and if god forbid in an accident you can pop the incission sites. But to move the car back and forth, I would think it will be uncomfortable knowing how I feel now at a week out, But not unbearable!

thanks, gina.  i'll keep that in mind.  i actually MAY be able to drive my car to someone's house in queens the day before, so maybe i won't have to move it at all! thanks for taking the time to answer me. dee

Iserene,  I was able to drive to my post op appt. about 6 days after my surgery.  I did not take any pain killers except tylenol when I got home, so tht was not a concern for me.  I did not have OPEN surgery, but I would assume that your healing time may be longer.  Good luck. 

Do you know of anyone who has a driveway, where you can park your car temporarily?  Or those empty lots  that parks cars?  Why dont you try livingston and smith and see if they have overnight parking.