How long to take off work

I have been reading some of the threads posted by you girls in the States, some of you seem to be going back to work after only a couple of weeks. How so?
Here in the UK we are expected to take between 3 and 6 months before returning to work,and we are not expected to drive for between 4 and 6 weeks (I am so bored) .
My own doctor has already given me a 'sick note' for 14 weeks. I have to return to my doctor to be 'signed fit for work' before my employer will allow me back.
I wish all of you very speedy and uneventful recoveries.

Hi Happy now
Returning to work at two weeks isn't the norm. I think some women have circumstances where they don't have time granted off with pay so they need to get back. I know for me, I didn't leave the house for two weeks and couldn't have possibly gone back to work before 8 wks and then I would have been in pain.
Everyone is different in how quickly they heal. A lot of that has to do with what all you have done and your health before going in, plus if you have any type of complication it will prolong the healing time.

I have always envied you European girls and the time you are allowed off. It takes the pressure off of you. Here in the states it seems like we look at six weeks and everyone expects you to be back to normal, which is rarely, if ever, true.
I hope you can find enjoyable ways to use your time. Get out and walk as you're able and when you are healed enough, work at gradually getting your strength back. Here I feel the women are often thrown back into work and then have to deal with whatever may come. If they don't feel up to the task, it's just too bad.
's, Rita

WOW, I would love to not have to go back to work for 14 weeks. I was told 6 but went back at 3. I am self employed and I don't get paid if I don't work. I was driving around 2 1/2 weeks. My doc told me I could drive as soon as I was off my prescription medication. I went to regular ibuprofen. I will say that 3 weeks is really too early. I sit when I can and try to only work half days so far. Starting tomorrow I am up to almost full days. I think the one thing that saves me is that I work m-w-f so I have a day off in between to rest up. Good luck with your recovery and try to enjoy your time off. I wanted to spend my time scrap booking but I didn't feel well enough to do it and now that I could I am back working. So, find something you can do to take up the hours of boredom.

I hope a post from canada will do!!!
You didn't mention what type of surgery you had done.
I had a TAH done on Jan 16th and I'm not returning to work until March 19th.Even that is a little longer than the 6 or 8 weeks which is what the drs here in ontario canada estimate is a safe time to return to work.I have a physical job so I took the longest time available to me.
Am I bored - hell yah but you need this time to heal up properly.I have only driven once,but as my body gets stronger I anticipate next week I will be back to normal routines again because the pain is almost all gone aside from a few pulls and tugs once in awhile.
I wasn't aware that england had such a lenghthy recovery time.Personaly I think it's wonderful(especially if you have insurance to cover you for all of this time off)Most of the posts I have read give me the impression that these sisters really don' feel up to par for atleast 6 months to a year!!SOoo take advantage of it.However if you don't have insurance that could get a little scarry!Some sisters return a little earlier because they don't have insurance and they need to go back.
I think if all the sisters had a choice they would love the extra time,I know I would!!!
As you start to feel better,you can drive and ease right back into your regular lifestyle.
Take it easy,happy healing.

I am only taking 1 week off of work, but I have some circumstances that make that a possibility. First, my hysterectomy was a laparoscopic procedure and I only have 3 incisions. Also, I work part time (only 15 hours per week) for a very understanding boss and will be able to take as many opportunities to sit as I need. I am an assistant librarian at an elementary school. My main duties upon returning will be sitting down at the computer to check in books and check out books to kids. I will have to shelve some books, but I told my boss it will be slow going because I can only carry one or two at a time.


The hardest part of my recovery in the next few weeks will be resisting the urge to clean up after my kids. They can make a mess and it's hard for me to just leave it there. I even managed to overdo it last night and I just had my procedure on Monday.

To Precious Pearl and Boohoo
In my job (I work in a Physiotherapy Department in an NHS hospital) We get 6 months full pay and then 6 months half pay. It does make recovery far more relaxed I'm sure, I don't feel any pressure to get better quicker than I can. My employer won't let me back to work until my General Practitioner says that I'm fit for work, so although I have my 14 weeks off for now...it could be extended indefinitely.
I have had a total hysterectomy with removal of my ovaries and cervix (I am 43 yo). I also think I have developed a Rectocele, although I was only bothered the once, I was so panicked. Not having the worry of going back to work in the next couple of weeks is a great weight lifted I can tell you.
My DH is self employed and has managed his work around me, so has been an absolute treasure...although the food isn't great!!! The attention has been gratefully received, he has totally indulged me. I could really get used to it.
It's a shame that there isn't a British site like this.
I would love to meet some of you girls, but it's quite a way for me! And hearing some of you arrange to meet for lunch makes me envious.
Take care everyone and hope to talk soon.
Jayne

To All
I love this site!!!! This is the most fun I've had since my surgery, it's great getting to know you all.
We (in the UK) don't have to have health insurance, we pay what is known as 'National Insurance Contributions (NI)'. This is a % of our salary and pays for any hospitalisation, surgery, dr's appointments, rehab etc, that we may need. We have a General Practitioner (GP), that we see if we need an opinion. They can supply us with run of the mill diagnosis. They can prescribe drugs and some do some minor surgery. They will refer us to a specialist should they feel it appropriate. This doesn't cost us anything. However we do have lengthy waiting times to see the specialists.
Those that can afford it can pay for extra medical insurance, and this gets people in to see the specialist and if needed, hospital for treatment at a time that is more suitable.
If someone needs treatment in an emergency there would not be a wait time. They would be seen and treated when required.
This has to be paid on top of the NI contributions, but I think that most of the better paid people in the UK do have extra insurance.
However the insurance doesn't cover any time taken from work. This is dealt with and is ar the discretion of the employer. If the employer does not pay the employee, then the government pays for some of the time off. This is covered again by the nations NI contribututions.
Those people who don't work, or our famous 'immigrants' that have never paid any NI are also covered. The goverment raise enough money from those of us who do pay, to cover those who don't. This is good, as many people can't for whatever reason, work. It would be horrid to have to go into debt for the sake of a dr's appt, and medical treatment that is out of their control.
Love to all
Jayne

I went back at 2 weeks but honestly I could have went back at 3 days, I also had the LSH hysterectomy with 3 tiny tiny incisions.....this was such an easy surgery ! I am 3 weeks post op and feeling great. Best of luck to you and your speedy recovery !

chris

Well the difference from the UK and the States is INSURANCE! My insurance rep was there the day after wondering if i could go home and my Dr told him NO. Insurance here says how long we can stay in the hospital and what the normal recovery period is for every type of surgery/disease.

My mom was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer - it took a YEAR to get disability pay. If she hadn't had sick days saved at work to give her a paycheck for a year, she would have lost everything.

We need a better system here.. :/ But money makes the world go round /sigh