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Driving after Da Vinci Robotic Surgery

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Modelshipwright
Regular Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 215
Posted 9/11/2009 5:35 AM (GMT -7)
With my procedure coming up in a couple of weeks, I was wondering how soon after the catheter is out you would be able to drive the car assuming everything progressed well?  Does anyone care to comment on this?

Thanks,

Keep well,

Bill

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LV-TX
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 966
Posted 9/11/2009 5:42 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Bill,

I am almost sure there isn't any problem with you driving after the cath is removed. I think most doctors are inclined to ask you not to drive while the catheter is in place...but after the removal shouldn't be a problem. I drove home right after mine was removed.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery.
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60Michael
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2009
Posts : 2254
Posted 9/11/2009 6:04 AM (GMT -7)
Bill,

I waited for about 17 days but probably could have done it sooner. I finally bought a donut cushion and continue to use it as my truck is not the smoothest ride in town. Keep us posted on your surgery and I know you will do well.

Michael

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Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25445
Posted 9/11/2009 6:10 AM (GMT -7)
I was told not to drive until my original catheter was out, which was for 30 days. They definitely don't want you to drive with staples in place or your original catheter or if you are still requiring prescription pain pills. If any thing happened in most states, they could get you for a DUI conviction from the medication alone.

Now interestingly, I have been on 6 other catheters since the original, and there was never any driving restriction on them.

Good luck to you.

David in SC
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Steve n Dallas
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2008
Posts : 4971
Posted 9/11/2009 7:19 AM (GMT -7)
I too was told not to drive while the cath was in...Have no idea why?

I drove my dad to the airport three days after surgery and never slowed down. (had my cath in for five weeks)

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Bluenose
Regular Member
Joined : May 2008
Posts : 260
Posted 9/11/2009 7:38 AM (GMT -7)

  My Doc never mentioned driving or not......I waited a few days, 3-4 don't remember which...slapped on the leg bag and was driving. Of course not if I'd popped a pain pill, didn't really use too many.

 When you get home though, shave your inner thighs, saves some uncomfortable moments when switching the tape securing the cath tube from one leg to the other. I forget who on here told me to do this....good advice though.  

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Worried Guy
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2009
Posts : 3780
Posted 9/11/2009 9:24 AM (GMT -7)
I drove about a week after it was out. The only issue I had was incontinence. Make sure to cover the seat with a blue pad if you expect you wife to ever drive the car again. Even if you don't leak, it's a courtesy - like putting the seat down. (It's 7 weeks for me and I have not had to worry about the toilet seat position. I either pee outside or in the shower.)
Jeff
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lewvino
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2009
Posts : 384
Posted 9/11/2009 9:38 AM (GMT -7)
I drove the day after the cath came out with no problems. Just make sure you still aren't taking pain meds while driving.

Larry
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engineer55
Regular Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 121
Posted 9/11/2009 10:44 AM (GMT -7)
I had surgery wednesday and was driving saturday, but i was suppose to wait the 7 days when I had a catheter.  The most significant pain after surgery is stomach mucsles and gas bubbles. Really no pain for the cutting
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Worried Guy
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2009
Posts : 3780
Posted 9/11/2009 12:19 PM (GMT -7)
Engineer just reminded me. My wiastline increased 4 inches right after the surgery! Good thing I had sweat pants. about the time the catheter came out I was still 2 inches above normal and my jeans didn't fit. In some states it is illegal to drive your car in your underwear. ;-)
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Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25445
Posted 9/11/2009 12:25 PM (GMT -7)
Gee, I lost 35 lbs in the first two months after my open surgery. If a doctor puts a written restriction on you involving driing, and you drive and get into a wreck, it can spell serious trouble for you in a lawsuit and with your DMV.

David in SC
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jackcc
Regular Member
Joined : May 2006
Posts : 80
Posted 9/11/2009 12:52 PM (GMT -7)
My doctor said he'd like me to wait 5 days at least. Its because of the amount of pressure you have to put on the brake pedal. Especially a quick stop. The pressure could hurt the incisions. I was in a hurry to drive because my wife was in a hospital and I had to check on her ASAP. I drove there every day. I was super incontinent but didn't let it slow me done. You shouldn't have to wait long. Just try not to have to slam on the brakes. I still had the cath in and wore a leg bag.
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engineer55
Regular Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 121
Posted 9/11/2009 2:43 PM (GMT -7)
Best advice I got was to get draw string pants, I think it was the nurse that told me. You need something loose with the catheter
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geezer99
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2009
Posts : 990
Posted 9/11/2009 2:48 PM (GMT -7)
If you have been building stamina by walking, then driving after the catheter is out is no problem. But for me the issue was learning to manage incontinence – note I said management, not the incontinence itself. about the third or fourth day I had to cut short some local errands, throw a plastic bag on the car seat and head home to change both my pad and my pants. By the eight day I drove a longer trip 1 ½ hours each way with a carefully planned bathroom break at the beginning, middle and end and I was fine.

Remember that you will be under a maximum lifting restriction of 5 or 10 pounds, so don’t plan any errands for heavy stuff.

I think the restriction on driving with the cath in is a safety issue. As many of us know, a wrong move can cause quite a bit of pain and that could distract you from your driving. There is also the issue that in an accident the catheter could act like a lever and do internal damage.
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goodlife
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 2692
Posted 9/11/2009 3:16 PM (GMT -7)
I think the key answer is, do what your doctor advises. My doctor didn't really impose any restrictions, If it feels bad, don't do it. I drove 3 days after surgeru with the cath, and it didn't bother me in the least.

Obviously, from the above posts, evry doctor has a little different post op intructions. Some, maybe much of it, is for legal liability on his/her part, the rest is for our good.
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CPA
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2008
Posts : 655
Posted 9/11/2009 3:26 PM (GMT -7)
Greetings everyone.  Before surgery my doc said no driving as long as I still had the cath and as long as I was taking prescription pain meds.  I only took the pain meds the first day home from the hospital and then switched to OTC so was free to drive when my cath came out on day 9.  David

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Ed C. (Old67)
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2009
Posts : 2492
Posted 9/11/2009 3:47 PM (GMT -7)
I drove the day the catheter was removed.
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rob2
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 1132
Posted 9/11/2009 4:42 PM (GMT -7)
I drove the day the catheter was removed. However, I was very sore and could not turn around and look at traffic. I was one of those people that drove straight and used the mirrors.
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Modelshipwright
Regular Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 215
Posted 9/12/2009 5:13 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks to everyone who replied to my question about driving. Waiting until after the catheter is out makes a lot of sense to me.

Regards,
Keep well,
Bill
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dogbot
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2009
Posts : 149
Posted 9/12/2009 6:38 AM (GMT -7)
Here in England I was told to wait at least 2 weeks after catheter removal in order for the stomach muscles to heal . The main concern was heavy braking causing a problem leading to hernias. I also have found an increase in waist size after surgery, but I hope that in time I shall come back down to my usual 32". 3 month follow up now booked for the 29 th Sept.
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