Knowing when I am ready to drive again post-op

[HeartwithMatchingHat]

Hi everyone. So I’m 2-weeks past open heart surgery to replace aortic valve. Which is just wild.

Did the usual requirements of advising who I need to about me not driving, and in my case I need to go to see a doctor 6 weeks after the op to discuss being fit to drive, for them to write a letter etc.

Query I have is, how do I know I will be ready to drive again? I read some posts which mention about having more awareness and caution when restarting driving again which i will have to manage. What I wish to know about is fitness levels.

What I can find so far is being happy with emergency stops, so I can probably trace that to how my sternum feels as I progress. But I’m also thinking about turning around to look in side mirrors, reaching and moving handbrake, looking behind when reversing. My car has power steering and reversing cameras, but you can’t put all your faith in the cameras.

Does anyone have any tips for how they knew they could attempt driving again please? Or maybe even exercise suggestions to get to that level. (I’m aware a lot of exercises need to be reintroduced gradually too outside of the driving question after my op). Maybe even if someone thought they were ready and found out they just were not, I'd appreciate those opinions too.

Thanks and best regards all

[Petitlady]

I had AVR in June. The hospital told me to notify the insurer, which I did although I’m not sure it was strictly necessary. I saw the surgeon at about 8 weeks and he said I was fit to drive. So again told insurer. No issues. I have been quite cautious because chest and shoulders were still sore and stiff. However due to a family emergency I had to drive for about half an hour each way at about 10 weeks and I was fine. I am on rehabilitation course and the exercises to improve flexibility have helped. Largely the ones where you look up and down and to left and right ! My car also has a parking camera which helps I find the seatbelt uncomfortable even now so have been wearing a gilet to provide padding!

[HeartwithMatchingHat in reply to Petitlady]

Thank you, and I was wondering of a better method than just sticking a towel under the seat belt.

[Howto]

Hi, I had an aortic valve replacement 3 months ago and was told I could drive from 6 weeks post op. I waited till 8 weeks and told my insurers - no problems with them. I am attending cardio rehab at my local hospital and have been guided by them. I have also had my post op consultation with the surgeon who told me I am now fixed so getting on with life. I wish you a speedy recovery.

[HeartwithMatchingHat in reply to Howto]

Thanks Howto I haven't got my first app for cardio rehab yet so look forward to that

[devonian186]

I think you will know. At 6 weeks post heart surgery nothing was further from my mind. A week later I was keen to try. I would suggest a couple of shortish easy trips with few bends or junctions where you will need to turn onto a main road and easy parking at the destination so you don't have to reverse out.

Perhaps you have a local garden centre with ample parking and a cafe? I wore a padded gilet to ease the seat belt rubbing against my sternum which worked really well and less prone to move around than a towel.

[Survivor1952]

My surgeon told me, before I was discharged from hospital, “if you can do a three point turn on your drive then you are ok to drive on the road”. I too had checked and no need to tell my insurer or anyone else.

Tried driving at 5 weeks (on private land) and whilst perfectly capable I wasn’t totally confident, drove at just over 6 weeks with no problems despite a painful shoulder. I was not concerned about my ability but what would happen if I had to swerve suddenly or do an emergency stop.

When I went to my surgeons clinic at just over 8 weeks he said I was fine to drive with no restrictions, I’d done two local journeys at that stage plus the trip to the clinic.

[HeartwithMatchingHat in reply to Survivor1952]

I have access to a bit of private land so I can do some 3-point etc and see ... thanks!

[TMeditation]

I was told by my surgeon at my 6 week post op review after my AVR that I would be ok to drive. You just sort of know as your confidence builds and don’t worry about those turning your neck problems whilst driving you will have plenty of practice doing that before you get behind the wheel. Take it steady at first and don’t go too fast, give yourself plenty of time to make driving decisions. In fact we should all do this after a lengthy time off driving, operations, holidays whatever. Your body will hold up just fine, just be kind to yourself and take your time. Hope your post op progress continues. Sue 🙏

[Cee-Cee1]

After a triple bypass last year I was told by the surgeon at the six-week post op assessment that he was happy with me starting to drive again. Still felt a bit nervous as I'd been in hospital for five weeks pre-op so hadn't driven for nearly three months. I waited a further week before taking the car out to a local shop. I noticed the roads were almost empty, it was Easter Sunday, so I a drove a little further into town and by the time I got home, my confidence was almost completely back again and on Easter Monday I took a much longer drive along the coast. If you can pick a day when the roads aren't so crowded, a Sunday perhaps, and just tootle along slow and steady for a while, it all soon comes back to you. My sternum wound was still a little sore so I used a little cushion between my chest and the seatbelt which really helped, a thick sweater or gilet would be good too. You just seem to 'know' when you're ready, I wouldn't have felt confident enough after 6 weeks, even though the surgeon said it was okay, but was definitely ready to try again after 7 for some reason. Good luck with your recovery which sounds as if it's going really well! Carol 👍😀

[Cliff_G]

I presume you've seen this? gov.uk/valve-disease-and-dr...

[Survivor1952 in reply to Cliff_G]

Which says, if you hold a car licence, you do not need to tell DVLA. It also confirms that you should have the OK from a doctor before driving, now I do think the surgeon telling their patient that they can drive as soon as they are able to look over their shoulder to do a 3 point turn constitutes that advice.

It's only if you hold an HGV or PSV licence that you need to inform DVLA.

As for insurance I went through my policy documents with a fine tooth comb and it actually says "you do not need to tell us if you have heart surgery". That can vary from insurer to insurer so that is something I'd check as an individual rather than rely on what is said by others. Hospitals will always say 'tell your insurer' as it then avoids any liability falling on the hospital if there is a claim.

[Classof1988]

I had to wait 8 weeks then my insurance company wanted a letter from a doctor to confirm I was fit to drive. Ten weeks post op I drove from London to South Wales with absolutely no problems - and this was in the days before cars had power steering and I had a diesel Ford Orion with heavy steering from starting off. Had to wait a further two weeks before resuming work only because Occupational Health wanted to check me over first. You will know when you feel ready and be guided by that.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I waited 10 weeks after my transplant, I was told it was to make sure the sternum had healed as I could be hesitant to do an emergency stop. I don't have camera's in my car and I have a tight driveway to reverse out of but everything was fine. char