Driving after LAR Ileostomy

Hi Cat, 

I had a LAR with ileostomy by keyhole. I wanted to make it 4 weeks but the surgeon asked me to wait for 6 and then only if I was confident I could carry out an emergency stop without hurting. . I checked with the insurance company who said they had no rules and just to take the surgeon's advice and be sure I was happy and capable. The GP didn't come in to it.

I did wait for 6 weeks although I felt I could have driven earlier.  We can see how we mend on the surface but not how what we do affects the bits inside!

Good to hear that you are getting on with Bertha already, hope everything continues well for you

John

Hi Cat

i had major surgery to get to my cancer and was unable to be comfortable on the bumpy roads for a long while because my surgery was hands on so I was very bruised. 
You will know when you feel good to go.

Are you a passenger at the moment especially over pot holes?  
I think it’s fit to drive usually at least six weeks. 
As an ileostomy Bertha won’t be as crushed as a driver but as a passenger I bought a protective foam cushion Velcro strip thing that I can attach to the belt. Probably because I was very tender. I don’t know if any others did that. It’s just I had a leak in the car as a passenger and I put it down to pressure from the seat belt. It’s worth thinking about. 
You sound like you’re doing brilliantly with Bertha

I was told 6 weeks as long as I felt comfortable doing an emergency stop.did ask the insurance company and they were happy with that.

Kath

Ps.mine wasnt a Lars.it was a panproctocolectomy but still with an iliostomy.

Kath

Thank you to you all for sharing your experience and some good tips too. I’ve not been in a car since the day I was discharged and I certainly felt every pot hole and speed bump!  I will need to be patient… I am enjoying sunny morning walks at a very slow pace… however the benefits are I am noticing lots of things …. The snowdrops are coming out. 

Hope your all having a pleasant day 

Catz.x