Driving after valve replacement

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Permalink Reply by John French on December 1, 2011 at 9:11

Aidan - I have just start driving again after my surgery in October. My surgeons told me I was not allowed to drive for 6 weeks after the operation in line with DVLA guidelines. My Understanding is that you don't need to contact the DVLA unless there is something else with your medical history that could impact your ability to drive, i.e. for the heart valve replacement and aortic root replacement that I had there was no reason to contact them. If in doubt though I would check the DVLA website. The British Heart Foundation website also has a lot of useful information about driving after heart surgery and links to DVLA sites, etc.

I did contact my car insurance company and they noted that I had had surgery but said I could start driving at 6 weeks without contacting them again.

Hopefully you get your Warfarin levels sorted soon and you can get home - that first night in your own bed is pure luxury after the noise in the hospital ward.

Thanks

John

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Permalink Reply by Graeme on December 1, 2011 at 9:29

Aidan,

 

same as John says. You don't need to contact insurerers DVLA etc. As I understood it it was just the medical side of things the 6 weeks applies to as this is the period the docs allow for your breastbone to knit together again and any sudden stop against your safety belt could result in quite serious damage. Also I was instructed to place a small pillow between my chest and the safety belt - something i did right up to about 3 months or so. Travel Insurers. Hmmm..there's quite a bit on the site about this already... 'It's complicated' (!) as they say in the movies! Read the forums then see what you think. Re warfarin. I know how you feel. They made me stay for an extra 4 days after i was ready to go home as they could not sort out my warfarin either! You wil lget it sorted though!

 

take care

 

Graeme

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Permalink Reply by AIDAN KILLORAN on December 3, 2011 at 19:08

Thanks guy's will contact the insurers just as a precaution but will be waiting the 6 weeks :( anyway day 2 out the levels were not right there but decideD it was close enough and at the clinic this Tuesday's .Slept better in my own bed but still so tired and sore but each day I walk a little further and sleep a little less ,which is the only way to go !!!!

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