Driving after Da Vinci Robotic Surgery

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.

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

  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.  

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

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. ;-)

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.

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.

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

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.

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.