FrankTalk.org

I am considering on doing surgery which is about 5 hours away by car from where I live.

It is to use a great doctor, so that is the reason.

So while I could alternately fly to the surgery and take a car from the airport to/from....
I am not sure how great it would be to go through TSA and then be forced to use a
"plane seat belt" when I will most likely have my penal implant inflated.

Or I guess I could take a train.

HOWEVER I like the idea of driving because I control the pass of travel.
Driving at least lets me take breaks, take my time, stop along the way for a bit.
While I know the VERY best model is to stay lying in bed for 3 days following surgery,
I am not sure I want to stay in a hotel for 3 days after surgery.

I am leaning on driving to be honest, but I want some opinions or stories
of what you all have done successfully. Thanks.

What would you suggest?

Thanks

Driving yourself right after surgery will probably be difficult. I would discourage you from planning to do that.

I think you could manage being a passenger in a car for that distance if you take some breaks.

BostonJazzman wrote:I am considering on doing surgery which is about 5 hours away by car from where I live.

It is to use a great doctor, so that is the reason.

So while I could alternately fly to the surgery and take a car from the airport to/from....
I am not sure how great it would be to go through TSA and then be forced to use a
"plane seat belt" when I will most likely have my penal implant inflated.

Or I guess I could take a train.

HOWEVER I like the idea of driving because I control the pass of travel.
Driving at least lets me take breaks, take my time, stop along the way for a bit.
While I know the VERY best model is to stay lying in bed for 3 days following surgery,
I am not sure I want to stay in a hotel for 3 days after surgery.

I am leaning on driving to be honest, but I want some opinions or stories
of what you all have done successfully. Thanks.

What would you suggest?

Thanks

I healed pretty quickly but getting in and out of a car and sitting straight up in the seat for 10 minutes, never mind five hours, was not an option for until a week plus after my surgery. If you could sit in the passenger seat reclined and be ice up and have someone else drive, it’s doable a few days after surgery.

I agree with what everyone is saying, are you getting a infrapubic or penscrotal surgery? You have to figure you may need pain pills and that with driving surely doesn't mix. Be careful with infection as well, good luck.

I'm also in the don't drive camp. I could not have driven for even 30 minutes at that stage. Sitting was way too uncomfortable on the scrotum. It was even difficult watching TV. I think I started driving about a week post op but only very short distances, and I was still pretty uncomfortable.

BostonJazzman wrote:I am considering on doing surgery which is about 5 hours away by car from where I live.

It is to use a great doctor, so that is the reason.

So while I could alternately fly to the surgery and take a car from the airport to/from....
I am not sure how great it would be to go through TSA and then be forced to use a
"plane seat belt" when I will most likely have my penal implant inflated.

Or I guess I could take a train.

HOWEVER I like the idea of driving because I control the pass of travel.
Driving at least lets me take breaks, take my time, stop along the way for a bit.
While I know the VERY best model is to stay lying in bed for 3 days following surgery,
I am not sure I want to stay in a hotel for 3 days after surgery.

I am leaning on driving to be honest, but I want some opinions or stories
of what you all have done successfully. Thanks.

What would you suggest?

Thanks

I say don't attempt the drive alone. I know that it's different for everyone in how they are feeling/doing right after surgery. I was a passenger for an hour long drive and that was very difficult. My early recovery was very uncomfortable and was laid up for 13 straight days. Some have it like I did and I think from what i have read that many didn't suffer as much. You won't know if you are going to have an easy recovery or not. I'm not trying to scare you whatsoever here. If you need to get home asap then either fly or be a car passenger. As someone had said you'd be able to relax and ice etc during a car ride. Best to ya!

I suggest you take a room for 3 nights after the surgery.

You cannot drive for 24 hours after getting anesthesia. There is a possibility of you falling asleep again with no warning, just like going under. Five hour car ride? No way. A 30 minute ride home was tough for me.
Four days post I drove across town to pick up a grandkid from school. Made me hurt for another week.
Hire a driver, take a taxi, Uber or something but do not consider driving.

I would not recommend a 5 hour drive after surgery. I wife drove me home after 2 days. Only 20 miles. I could swear she hit ever pebble, every stone, ever bump, even every air pocket. So my answer.....DO NOT DRIVE FOR 5 HOURS.

I echo what others have said...a 5hr drive might not be good for you. Can you get a hotel room for a few days? I would think even 3 days might make a big difference, especially if you can have painkillers.

Either way, I think you should plan to have a driver, it's just not really safe to drive yourself in these conditions, even a few days later. I doubt your surgeon would even let you leave their facility without a driver, there's liability for them otherwise.