How long before I can drive my car ?

[enkaynj]

I am hearing several opinions on this topic. I am 4 weeks post-op. Although my surgeon said I could drive after 3 weeks post-op, I am hesitant to get behind the wheel until I hear from others on this forum. Any recommendations re. when it would be absolutely safe to drive ?
Thanks folks.

 

[ElectLive]

My surgeon said at 5 weeks my sternum was back to pre-surgery "impact resistance".

 

[escargome]

I found that I could safely without discomfort turn the steering wheel (even with power steering) at about 4 weeks, but my cardio said wait til 6 weeks. It wasn't a problem since I was lucky and family to drive me around.

 

[Freddie]

I was told to wait at 6 wks, but had to drive at 4 wks due to a small family issue. Personally I found that the seat belt was irritating, shoulder checking was troublesome and I felt every little crack and bump in the road.

As a retired driver ed instructor, if you feel hesitant now wait until you have more confidence with yourself. Even if you wait 6 wks, you probably will still feel a little less hesitant.

You have to do what feels right for you. Try going around the block and see how it feels.

Good Luck

 

[scott.eitman]

I was told 6 weeks to stay away from airbags. I started driving at 5 weeks post-op. That day I had a follow-up at the CCF and had to drive to the top of the parking lot which was very tiring.

Scott

 

[nngbwh]

Play it safe and wait a couple weeks.

 

[Jkm7]

It was about 7 weeks for me my first OHS but my second surgery, four years later, my cardio cleared me to drive after barely 3 weeks. The first time, I knew I wasn't ready and though I had permission at 6 weeks, I didn't want to drive. The second time, I felt I could drive at 2 1/2 weeks post op and did so as soon as cardio gave permission at 3 weeks. Common sense kept me from driving on major highways but I was able to do my local errands and drive the familiar streets near my home.

 

[Mentu]

We are probably all in the same ball park. My surgeon told me that I could probably drive at five weeks but when I saw him 4 weeks after surgery (the end of my 3rd week at home) he said I could drive but suggested that I wait a few weeks before driving long distances. I found that driving was no problem except for the shoulder strap which irritated my chest. A friend made me a cylinder shaped pillow about 5" wide/10" long stuffed with very soft filling which did a great job holding the strap away from my chest. Two years later, I still keep the pillow in the car because once in a while for a day or two the irritation returns and I put the pillow back into service.

Larry

 

[Greg a]

The real question is could you drive before OHS .........OHS will NOT make a better driver, golfer or piano player......my wife says OHS didn't fix any of those things

 

[escargome]

The real question is could you drive before OHS .........OHS will NOT make a better driver, golfer or piano player......my wife says OHS didn't fix any of those things

Greg, Congratulations to your wife. She seems to be a very perceptive woman

 

[neil]

greg a wise wife you have there, for me it was 6 weeks and then it felt a bit tender

 

[epstns]

Another of us in "the same ballpark." My surgeon cleared me to drive at 4 weeks post-op, but I didn't need to until about 5 or 5.5 weeks (family members wanted to take me wherever I needed to go). Big car with power everything, so I never had a problem - even with backing the car down a 120-foot long driveway.

 

[Cooker]

Can't remember what I was told but I drove at 3 weeks with no problem...

 

[alesia]

Hey there! My doctor told me 6 weeks and yesterday it was that...so i was so excited and drove. After that little drive was sore that night on the my speed bump area. So take it easy...still sore today from it as well.

 

[Jkm7]

One thing to keep in mind is that if we drive before our doctor has cleared us and we have an accident, it is possible insurance could refuse to pay.

 

[Julian]

I would wait as long as your doctor recommends. Tell yourself 8 weeks no driving so when the doctor tells you that you can drive at 5 weeks you will be surprised. SLAM DUNK!

 

[LeakyUK]

My follow up was at 7 weeks when I was told I could drive. I really did not want to before then anyway.

 

[Superbob]

I think I was told no driving for 6 weeks -- it''s been 6 years, so I'm not sure. But I do remember being told it was very important not to drive until the sternum has fully healed. Otherwise, an accident could have very unpleasant consequences. So I would not be in a big hurry to resume driving.

 

[drivetopless]

I started driving short trips (to the store and doctor) at 4 weeks, but I had a mini-sternotomy. I would think the type of sternotomy you had would be a factor.

 

[Jason]

My doc said six weeks, and I stuck to that advice. I am guessing that most do not stick to this, as when I went back for my six week checkup and asked if I could drive now, she looked at me kind of surprised and said "Oh, you're not driving yet? Yes, go ahead!"