Driving Home From Dr Eids

[Vagabond127]

What is the longest anyone has driven home from Dr Eids surgery? I ask because some say car rides are rough. Others are fine. I'm thinking the pain meds will help.

[Vagabond127]

The first time around the bulb is hard. I'm assuming the same goes for the second. If this is the case, is it easier the second time to manipulate the bulb simply for having previous practice?

[Hawkman]

First, do you mean "riding" or "Driving" ?

You will not drive home from Dr. Eids even if you live a block away. Your legs would never work in an emergency. Dr Eid gives all patients a spinal block. Keep in mind that I had zero general anesthesia. Most have the spinal and some general. Surgery is a piece of cake without the general and I will never opt for general again if I can avoid it. You can leave recovery as soon as you can at least convince medical staff you can walk. It took me longer than I thought. I could stand but when I would start to walk I had zero balance because all my peripheral leg and foot muscles were non-functioning. I fought hard (3 different attempts) to get out of there as soon as possible because I wanted to be on my 4 hr road trip before the spinal wore off.

When I could walk with no more than a hand against my arm they put me in a wheel chare and took me to the front door. They did not wheel me out of the hospital. I had to stand up and leave on my own. I barely made it across a lane of traffic and flopped in the front passenger seat of my parked car. The spinal made the ride home about like I did not even have surgery until about 3 1/2 hours into the trip. The last 30 minutes were bearable but I did not enjoy the walk into my house and to my upstairs bedroom.

I talked to two other patients that live in NJ and had about a 2-hour ride home and they were fine.

If you are intense, you could always take a cane with you as though you typically use a cane. It will help you leave a little early. My wife had a cane in the trunk of the car and it helped me get from the front of the hospital to the car. I am not sure I would have made it without the cane. That early out of recovery, every step has to be very deliberate.

[Vagabond127]

Thanks Haekman. Very helpful. I have hired a car service from surgery to home. 3 1/2 ride. I live second floor with elevator. I'm hoping driver will help me.

By the way...I put 2 questions in 1 post. SORRY