Undergoing weight loss surgery is a significant step towards improving your health and well-being. As you start to recover from the procedure, one of the questions that might come to mind is when you can safely resume driving.
This concern is understandable, as many consider driving a crucial part of daily life, offering independence and the ability to carry out day-to-day activities. The recovery process after weight loss surgery varies from person to person, influenced by several factors.
On average, most patients can safely return to driving approximately one to two weeks after their weight loss surgery. This assumes you are no longer taking pain medication that can affect your driving, and your body recovery is telling you – you can safely drive. This also assumes your body is healing without any issues and you feel up to it.
Some patients can take up to three to four weeks before driving safely again. Issues that cause longer times include: more complicated revisional surgeries, complications during surgery and post-operatively, anxiety, and a lack of awareness.
Here is expert advice from healthcare professionals on when you can get back behind the wheel.
Postoperative Recovery Stages
After weight loss surgery, your body goes through several stages of recovery. Initially, you might feel discomfort and need time to adjust to the changes. The recovery process can be divided into different phases, starting with the immediate post-surgery period, then a phase where you gradually reintroduce activities, and finally, a stage where you return to your routine, including driving. The timeline for moving through these stages varies for each person.
Consultation with Healthcare Professionals
Before you think about getting back to driving, talking to your healthcare team is crucial. They are the best source of advice on whether you’re ready to resume this activity. After weight loss surgery, you’ll have follow-up appointments to check on your recovery. Use these meetings to ask about driving. Your doctors and nurses can give you a clear idea of the right time based on your healing.
Impact of Bariatric Surgery Type
The type of weight loss surgery you’ve had greatly influences when you can start driving again. Some surgeries are more invasive, meaning they involve more extensive operations inside your body, which can lead to a longer recovery time. Other procedures might be less invasive, allowing for a quicker return to normal activities, including driving.
Generally more procedures that require a bit more recovery time and more awareness is gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass, duodenal switch, and revisional surgeries.
Medication Influence
After weight loss surgery, you might need to take medications to help with pain and aid in your recovery. Knowing that some of these medications can affect your ability to drive safely is important. They might cause drowsiness, slow reaction times, or affect focus and alertness.
Driving while under the influence of these medications is not just unsafe; it’s also illegal.
Before you decide to drive, carefully read the labels of your medications and talk to your healthcare provider about their possible side effects.
Physical Comfort and Mobility
Before driving post-surgery, ensure you’re comfortable and mobile. Being able to turn, reach, and react quickly is vital. Pain or discomfort means it’s too soon to drive. Adjust your seat and use cushions for support.
Mobility matters—check blind spots, operate pedals painlessly, and brake swiftly without discomfort. If you can’t do this easily, then you need more recovery time. Listen to your body; if prolonged sitting or rapid movements are tough, wait longer.
It’s also important to remember that your body is still healing after bariatric surgery – the biggest concerns is patients twisting and turning – which can cause your incisions not to heal correctly.
Driving Restrictions from Healthcare Providers
Healthcare providers may impose driving restrictions after weight loss surgery to ensure safety. These are based on your surgery type, health, and recovery. If mobility is limited or medication impairs concentration, you should delay driving.
These rules aim to protect you and others, requiring full physical and mental readiness. Following your healthcare team’s advice is vital, even if it is challenging. Restrictions are temporary and will lift as you heal.
Gradual Resumption of Activities
Resume activities and driving slowly after weight loss surgery to avoid strain and aid recovery. Start with short, local drives to assess your comfort and endurance. Pain or fatigue means you need more rest.
Gradually increase driving distance and duration as you feel better. Recovery varies per individual, with no fixed timeline for long drives. Listen to your body and consult your healthcare team if unsure about your readiness for longer trips.
Awareness of Cognitive Function
Being alert, focused, and mentally ready is just as important as physical readiness when resuming driving after weight loss surgery. Surgery and recovery can temporarily impact your cognitive function, affecting your ability to drive safely.
Pay attention to how well you can concentrate and react to situations. If you find yourself easily distracted, unable to focus, or feeling mentally foggy, it may not be the right time to start driving again. These cognitive abilities are crucial for making quick decisions on the road, recognizing traffic signals, and responding to other drivers.
