How Long After a Tummy Tuck Can I Drive?

                  The
vast majority of abdominoplasty patients are able to resume driving in about 10
to14 days following surgery.  At
this point in time patients have the range of motion which is necessary to
operate a motor vehicle.  In
addition, they are usually pain free and off narcotics.  It’s important to realize that it’s
against the law to operate a vehicle while impaired by any substance.  For this reason it’s
important that patients be off narcotics before driving.

                   Resumption
of driving following surgery varies from patient to patient and depends on a
variety of factors.  For this
reason, it’s important to discuss these issues with your plastic surgeon.  Your surgeon should be able to tell you
when it’s appropriate to resume this important activity.

Thank you for your question! For my patients having any procedure, they are able to drive as soon as they are off of the narcotic pain medication. 

As a general guide it takes about two weeks before you can straighten up due to the significant abdominal tightness. Therefore, you shouldn't even consider driving for the first two weeks.  After two weeks, being guided by your body and how mobile you are.. If you feel safe to get behind the wheel you can return to driving.

Thank you for the question! Certainly, discuss this with your plastic surgeon, as answers will vary among surgeons. I typically say that whenever you are not taking narcotic pain medications and when you feel like you are strong enough to turn the steering wheel suddenly if needed, then you may resume driving. If you meet those requirements, take short trips around your block with somebody and see how you do. Best wishes!

Pain medications can impair your ability to drive safely. As a result, you should probably wait until after you've stopped taking an pain medication. This may take about 2-4 weeks.

In most instances being able to drive is a function of whether you are taking pain pills which could impair your ability to drive. In some cases this is within 4 days while for others it may take longer in the range of 2 weeks.

Thank you for the question.

It would be best to address specific questions regarding your recovery with your operating surgeon since he/she knows you and the planned procedure ( and is responsible for all aspects of your care). My routine may not be applicable to you and could potentially be  confusing. Having said that, most patients ( assuming they are off “mind altering” medications and can respond to an emergency quickly) are able to drive 2 to 3 weeks after tummy tuck surgery.  Best wishes.

The duration is subjective and always varies from patient to patient. I allow my patients to drive as soon as they are feeling less sore, off the pain meds, but not before 7-10 days post op. I also restrict long distance travel for about 10-14 days following the surgery.

You can resume driving after Cosmetic Surgery when you can make rapid decisions and execute them without the influence of pain pills. Driving while taking pain pills is a felony that may hurt you and or others. It is best to postpone driving until you are off pain pills and can make sudden turns or stops, should you have to. For most people this would be around 2-3 weeks.

The advice I give my patients is that they should not drive if they are impaired.  You should be able to operate your car in a safe manner.  This means you have to be able to react and move with out pain and not be inebriated with pain medications.  This is very important from an insurance stand point because your insurance company does not insure you as an impaired driver.

Best Wishes.