why do they say no driving for 6 weeks after vaginal hysterectomy and repair?

[notsofarnow]

Any ideas anyone as I think its going to drive me mad not being able to get about for 6 weeks well 5 now actually. Its not to do with an emergency stop coz i could do that now only 7 days in as I have no op pain as such just achey hips which is probably positional on the table.

It's to do with internal stitches. They are basically stronger than your internal organs so if you rip one you can end up with a hernia. And believe me that hurts a lot :)

ahhhh ok like I should know really did work on gynae ward for 3 years but thats the trouble you look after them post op and then dont see them for the rest of their recovery.

same as for a C-section the main problem is that if you had to do an emergency stop you could do yourself a mischief...

I had an abdonimal hysterectomy last year so much longer recovery, but the nurses said that even if I felt ok in the first few weeks I still had to take it easy as the internal stiches can take a long time to heal properly.

yep all down to those internal stitches suppose because we can't see them we don't think abou thtem - big mistake I think.

Went out for lunch yesterday then a stroll around asda then friends round last night and i have felt absolutely wrecked all day.

What about being driven in a car though? Surely its the same effect whther you are holding the steering wheel or not?

They told me this after I had my gall bladder out. Then they sent me home in a taxi.

As Tabouleh said, it is the same as when you have a C Section, you need to be able to do an emergency stop.

I thought it was more to do with you not being able to stop quickly enough - because you sort of protect yourself iyswim and therefore you'd be adanger to yourself and others? Explains why you can get in a car but drive one iyswim...

Also, your car insurance may be invalid for several weeks after a major operation. You need to check with your insurance company.

this suggests it's to do with not being able to apply enough pressure...but I think that's for abdominal surgery where your muscles have been interefered with....

I was told it was because of car insurance, so best to make arrangements to be driven. Our local Dial-a-Ride organisation costs about half the taxi ride, and I'd no idea we had it available.