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BillB

It's will be 4 weeks since my AVR/Dacron Aortic Graft surgery this coming Friday (6/15). The double vision has subsided and except for lotsa naps, I really feel great! Now for the simple question.....How long did you all wait before you resumed driving an automobile? I feel I am ready now and the self imposed "house arrest" is driving me nuts. BTW....my surgeon's assistant and my cardio have differing opinions.
Thanks,
BillB
 
Bill,

The issue with driving is not based on feeling strong enough to drive. It is based on how long it takes the sternum to heal. The last thing you want is to have an accident where the seat belt zaps you tightly across the chest as the airbag rams you in the chest. Sounds painful - it would be.

That being said, I think I was driving at about 6 weeks. I rode a lot as a passenger making sure I had a pillow I kept in front of my chest.
 
Dick was not allowed until he had his 6 week check-up with the surgeon.
 
Obey your surgeon on this one. My surgeon strictly recommended eight weeks with me. It wasn't easy but I was nearly entirely obedient (except when we had to evacuate our home during a wildfire about two weeks post-op...)
 
Bill,
My surgeon cleared me for driving at four weeks, but it was not very comfortable. And as was pointed out you would be putting yourself at risk.
Remember it takes an average of ten weeks for your sternum to fully heal.
Rich
 
My cardio gave me permission to drive at 6 weeks but I wasn't ready and knew it. I didn't drive until at least 8 weeks. It was too difficult for me to turn in order to back up or the thought of parallel parking was out of the question.

I was happy knowing that if I had an absolute need I could drive, but knew I really should wait a little longer.
 
My surgeon required 6 weeks. That being said, I cheated a little and was driving to the coffee shop at 4 weeks. I live in a small town and thought it to be safe. Sure glad I didn't have an air bag/seat belt event.
 
BillB said:
How long did you all wait before you resumed driving an automobile?
Click to expand...

*grins*

In MY opinion ... WAY TOO LONG. Course, in my cardiologist's opinion, perhaps not long enough. In my surgeon's opinion ... just right ;).


My last surgery was January 6, 2003. I was cleared to drive on February 10, 2003. Did I wait until the daylight hours to drive? Oh hecka no. I stayed up that night ... and at the stroke of midnight, I was puttin' on my coat and grabbing my car keys and taking a "midnight ride".

Course, my sister told me that if I wasn't home within a half hour, she was calling my cell phone until I answered and came home ... he he.



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"My heart is like an open highway" ... Bon Jovi ... 'It's My Life'
 
Driving & Cheating

Driving & Cheating

I was supposed to wait six weeks before driving, but I cheated and started driving again at 3 1/2 weeks. My first time back behind the wheel was a short, quick drive to cardiac rehab. The weather was bad and I didn't feel like walking to the hospital. My wife was pretty upset when she found out what I had done. I didn't stop cheating, but in retrospect I should've been less reckless. This said, I don't recommend you cheat.

-Philip
 
Ok, am I the ONLY one on this board who didn't cheat? I drove my [stick shift] car for the first time about 3 months post op. Course, I was sick as a dog for most of my recovery...... still, it was fun to be back behind the wheel and free again!

Ruth
 
Five weeks for me. We had a pretty bad wreck at 8 weeks, but luckily the airbags didn't deploy (not sure why because there was about $10,000 of front end damage, but I'm glad). I walked away scared and angry, but not hurt.

I know how you feel about house arrest. I can sit around and do nothing all day, except when someone tells me I can't drive, I immediately feel very confined!

It doesn't look like this question was that easy. Anywhere from 4 weeks to 3 months was recommendation. Do what your surgeon says. He knows how tight he left those wires!
 
Actually (and oddly enough), the surgeon is a bit more liberal than the cardiologist...about 2 weeks ago the surgeon closed the file on me and sent me to the cardiologist...(they work as a team). I will call the cardio tomorrow and again confirm his opinion. Thanks to everyone for the valuable input!
 
There are actually TWO ISSUES here.

First, the Physical Aspect. Most surgeons recommend 6 weeks before driving. At that point, the sternum should be healed to about 85% of it's previous strength. It will take another 6 weeks for full recovery.

My surgeon relented at 4 weeks for LIMITED DAYTIME driving, primarily so that I could come in for my followup appointment without my S. O. having to take off from work and other medical appointments.

Second is LEGAL Aspect. What would happen to you legally if you were to be involved in an accident, or even ticketed, if you were driving BEFORE being released to drive by your Doctor?

What would your Insurance Company say about an accident claim filed before you were released to drive? THAT may be the BIG issue!

'AL Capshaw'
 
And the third issue: How attentive to the road will you be? I wasn't, so please pay attention to that as well as the other points. My surgeon is a great guy, he let me drive at three weeks, and I only cheated once or twice before that.
 
I was "able" to drive after 6 weeks, but avoided driving any real distance for quite some time after that as I found it physically uncomfortable. The seatbelt was uncomfortable over the incision area and I had achy neck and shoulders for several months post op so driving for any length of time bothered me. It was probably 10 months before I reassumed my job as the family's primary chauffer (during the interim, my wife filled in). :D
 
You are ALL so right.....and my lovely wife heard right too.....must have been wishful thinking on my part........Cardio said 6 weeks.......DOCTORS ORDERS! Thank You All!
 
Late again....

Late again....

I use my pillow when I drive (no - not to sit on!) between me, the shoulder strap and steering wheel. I waited 8 weeks - country roads are brutal and bumpy and I never knew when an animal would impede my progress.
I got really tired turning the wheel and think about it - the muscles that you use to drive are not only your arms, but your chest!
So it's not only the sternum that's healing, but your pecs and other connective tissues!
Take care -
Nan
 
My surgeon said two weeks but I drove back to work at only ten days out. I used my heart pillow between the belt and my chest for about two months because the pacer made a new tender spot right where the shoulder strap wanted to lay across my chest.
 
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