Concerns about returning to work

I had my surgery on Jan. 4th, so I am going on my fourth week. I definitely have more energy, I don't take any pain meds unless needed (one ibuprofen a day at most), and I have one more week until I go back to work.

I am a teacher, so I am a little nervous about returning to work. Even when I am healthy, I come home exhausted after teaching middle school all day. I am hoping to return full time next week, but we'll see how it goes. I am worried about getting my teaching bag with my computer into school, also. I may have to use carry-on luggage for a while??? I am also worried because it still hurts to button my pants. What the heck am I going to wear to work? Would the swelly belly band help with this?

I had my uterus, cervix, and tubes taken out, and I am curious if I will still have any cramping, acne, sore breasts, etc when my normal period will come around. Has anyone experienced this?

I haven't had any bleeding or spotting, but from the looks of everyone's posts, this may start happening when I start to become more active.

I hope that everyone else is doing well. Your posts have been very helpful to know that I am still "normal."

Dear Laughing Allegra,

As far as working all day is concerned, remember having a TAH w/ OS is major surgery. Recover slowly, and don't go back to work too soon. (Can you go back part time for now?) You're right, even when a person is healthy it is very exhausting to teach middle school all day! Yes, if I were you, I would bring carry-on luggage for your computer. As far as pants go, try to wear pull on pants. They have some great exercise pants that a person could wear to work w/out it appearing as though you just went to the gym. I didn't purchase the swelly belly band, but several others have and it has helped them. (You should start a new thread and ask about the swelly belly band, as well as your question about cramping, acne, sore breasts etc, during the time your period was supposed to hit.

I have had spotting. But I have not had the cramping, acne, sore breasts as I would have experienced during my period. Yay!

Continued success in your recovery. And remember to take it easy!

Laughing Allegra, you're right, teaching IS exhausting even before you are recovering from surgery. Find ways to make it easy. Can you get a kid or colleague to carry your laptop bag? Even pulling a "carry-on" might be rough on you.

I had the wardrobe questions this morning before church. My regular dress pants are not comfortable, and I can't bend over to shave my legs, so skirts are out. Wound up wearing a pair of black yoga pants and a long sweater. When I got there I told someone I felt odd wearing yoga pants to church and she said that if I hadn't told her they were yoga pants, she would never have known.