We are very cognizant that pain control is very important for the patient's well being. Medications are provided to control the level of pain. The typical patient, however, requires only Tylenol and occasional Tylenol with Codeine for control of pain.

Generally speaking, we do not want anyone to drive until approximately 30 days after surgery, just to let you get over some of the soreness from surgery without depending on your reaction time while turning the steering wheel or having to brake. Sometimes people can start driving earlier, but we certainly do not want patients who are on narcotics or pain pills to drive. We suggest when you start to drive, you drive in an area that is very quiet so you can get your "driving legs" back.

Yes, you can learn or continue to drive. Licensing standards vary from state to state; however, all 50 states and the District of Columbia license drivers with one eye who pass their eye test. Yes, you may go swimming, although goggles or a mask are a good idea. If water skiing or diving, remove your prosthesis first, since it may become dislodged on impact.

It depends. The majority of people will be OK to drive after 3 – 4 days but it is important to check with your car insurance company that they will cover you after an operation.

Patients who have a history of loss of consciousness due to an arrhythmia in general should not drive. Those who have had symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias should be event free for six months before driving. Patients who have had an Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) to prevent sudden death may drive. top

Whether or not you should drive through a storm is a complicated question. It would be important to know what kind of storm you are dealing with – is there a potential for tornadoes, hail, flash flooding, or blinding rain? If so, I would suggest leaving your car and taking shelter in a substantial building.

Islay is larger than most people think, so driving around can take some time. Don't expect the roads to be as wide, well maintained and fast as on the mainland and calculate your travelling time accordingly. The A846 between Port Ellen and Bowmore (also known as Low Road) looks deceptively straight and fast on a map, but as it ‘floats’ on the peat it is quite ‘bumpy’ and you can't drive as fast as you might think.

On a learner's permit you must be accompanied by a licensed driver 25 years or older. If you are caught driving without a license or alone on a learner's permit, the police will impound your vehicle for 30 days as well as write you a ticket that you will have to go to court on and they could postpone your getting a license. This is not something you want to mess around with.

No, you do not have to drive them anywhere. Some company members bring their own vehicles. For those who do not, the Caravan sets them up on a carpool.