Drive Home Same Day of Surgery? - Dr. Romano

[Newguy09]

I got a quote from the office of Dr. Romamo, and the lady on the phone quote me a price of $5,000.00 for lipo and excursion.  She also stated that I would be able to leave the same day and drive home about an hour after the procedure.  Is this typical or does it just depend on the Dr.?  I was under the impression that I would have to stay in a nearby hotel and return for a follow up the next day. . .

[xelnaga13]

Are you going under general anesthesia?

I had two surgeries recently... one gyno and one shoulder. The shoulder surgery I was a drugged out mess for hours after surgery. The gyno surgery... I had 100% of my mental faculties immediately after waking. I would imagine it comes down to how you react to the anesthesia.

[Newguy09]

Yes I would imagine I would be under general anesthsia.  what would be the alternative?

[xelnaga13]

Yes I would imagine I would be under general anesthsia.  what would be the alternative?

Some do local with a sedative. Ive never heard of a hospital/surgery center allowing a patient to drive themselves home after surgery. It boils down to liability.

[captain chesty]

It's generally advised that you should not drive for 24hrs after general anaesthetic.

Really depends on the anaesthetic used though, so your best to go on your surgeons advice.

[captain chesty]

could try putting your question on the 'ask a doctor' section for a professional opinion...

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

The only way I would allow a patient to drive by himself is if an operation was done strictly under local anesthesia -- and I never do it that way.  Just imagine you are driving and the local anesthetic wears off and you are in pain -- what are you going to do?

For operations under general anesthesia, one should absolutely not drive for a minimum of 24 hours -- period.

And if one has had sedation + local anesthesia -- yes, you will have close to all your faculties when you leave 1-2 hours after surgery.  But I would not let you drive if you were my patient.  I do take responsibility for my patients arriving home (or to a friend's house or a hotel) safely after surgery.  My strict policy is that one must be accompanied home after an operation -- for personal safety.  No exceptions!

Dr Jacobs