Driving and gym after SRS

[JaimeJJ]

Hi, just wondered how long it took everybody before they started driving again after surgery? I'm almost 3 weeks post op and itching to get back in my car, being stuck inside is killing me!

Also when is it ok to go back to the gym for running and cardio? I know no heavy lifting for a while!

[Jenna Marie]

I, um... drove a good chunk of the 5 hours home from Montreal. I *shouldn't* have, but my wife just wasn't able to handle the whole trip herself and I desperately needed to get home.

After that, I'd say it was 2-3 weeks more (so 3-4 weeks post-op) before I felt like it was both safe and comfortable to drive, but I could manage errands if I really needed to.

The gym, now, took months; I was just so constantly exhausted, and when I was feeling my usual energy levels I still tired easily. I did manage to go for gentle walks and do some light weightlifting, but mostly I needed to rest more than I needed exercise.

[Sabine]

I am runner (and it's part of my stress management with transition too) and have been thinking about this as well. Brassard said 8 weeks (which was about what it was after FFS). What have been the experiences of others?

[Lara1969]

I am now three weeks post op and I can drive 30min without pain but I am far away from distance running

[suzifrommd]

I was able to drive after about two and a half weeks. Wasn't comfortable, even with a doughnut cushion, but didn't do any damage.

As for exercise, please check with your surgeon.

My surgeon forbade me from all exercise before six weeks.

[JaimeJJ]

My biggest problem is sitting down. I can only sit on a pillow and I don't feel I would be physically able to stretch my feet to drive just yet.

[dkl]

I drove short distances (10 to 15 mis) for errands within the first two weeks; not painful, but was very uncomfortable. I drove to work (30 min) on my 7th week. I was just very careful an it was all low traffic hi-way driving.

[KayCeeDee]

Stay on bedrest as long as you can, you don't want to damage anything by too much exertion. You might ask for something to keep you down (like my doc gave me valium).  Ask your doctor before you start exercising.  If you do too much and bleed behind your graft you run the risk of losing it.

[Lara1969]

I am six weeks post op and I started to drive three weeks after surgery. Four weeks after sugery I could drive 3hr without much discomfort during driving but I had some pain afterwards.
Healing is fine. I did not do any damage. Today I sit without pillow quite normal.

Lara

[ChrisTinaBruce]

I can not recall when I started driving as I walk everywhere, although it was killing me to get back in the gym.  Take is slow.  Start by walking a little farther everyday.  Then try to do squats (very slow and gently at first) every 1/2 mile or kilometer for a week.  Then add pushes, etc.

Of course listen to your doctor first, but I would suggested at least two to three months before actually going back into the gym.  It was three months before I started lifting again and it took a while to get back to pre-op status.  It will return so take it slow and easy.

At my two year anniversary I ran a 10K and in better shape than before SRS.

Best of luck.
Chris Tina Bruce