TLH Returning to work after hysterectomy

Could use some advice regarding transitioning back to work. I'm an RN, in a med/surg oncology unit. My 2 week post op ck is on 4/2, not feeling ready to return to 12 hr shifts with full patient loads. Any suggestions from fellow nurses or those with physical demanding jobs?

I'm wondering the same thing. I work in an OR and it is very physically demanding.

I used to work in disability claims (employer Short & Long Term Disability). We used standardized well published (in the industry) guidelines.

For laproscopic/DaVinci hysterectomy generally 10-14 days for sedentary /light jobs, 3-4 wk for medium jobs and 4-6 wk for heavy jobs.

For abdominal hysterectomy generally 4-6 wk for sedentary/light and 6-8 wk medium/heavy work.

For hospitals we often found them willing to accommodate nurses to lighter work for a few weeks. 6 wk minimum, if no light work accommodations, seems best for maximum healing.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Spine I used to work in disability claims (employer Short & Long Term Disability). We used standardized well published (in the industry) guidelines. For laproscopic/DaVinci hysterectomy generally 10-14 days for sedentary /light jobs, 3-4 wk for medium jobs and 4-6 wk for heavy jobs. For abdominal hysterectomy generally 4-6 wk for sedentary/light and 6-8 wk medium/heavy work. For hospitals we often found them willing to accommodate nurses to lighter work for a few weeks. 6 wk minimum, if no light work accommodations, seems best for maximum healing.

Thank you for this helpful guide. I was thinking 4-6 weeks should be ample time to return to full duty. Is staff nursing considered a medium or heavy job?
Our employee health dept. requires nurses to be able to tolerate lifting/pulling/pushing a minimum of 50 lbs! I barely walked up & down our steep block today and ended up with a swollen belly, achey and sharp pelvic pain, can't imagine three 12 hr shifts of walking & patient care-yikes! My concern is being able to listen to my body and heal properly without the worry of my short term disability stopping, I still have a family to support. Feeling worried

If you have disability via your employer, have you submitted a claim? Usually when disability is approved you should get a letter stating what date it is approved through.

I'll clarify the difference between medium /heavy and get back to you. I want to be sure to quote the right physical requirements for each.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Spine If you have disability via your employer, have you submitted a claim? Usually when disability is approved you should get a letter stating what date it is approved through. I'll clarify the difference between medium /heavy and get back to you. I want to be sure to quote the right physical requirements for each.

Yes, I recvd an approval letter with STD coverage until 4/2, that's my 2 week post op ck. My physician will need to complete additional paper work and submit to them for an extended time frame. I'm pretty confident my physician will agree to extend my leave given my condition. Just not sure what type of criteria is needed to continue STD and if they can deny the request to extend it a few more weeks.

Look forward to hearing back from you...btw, insomnia is in full affect right now lol

Have your doctor state "based on the physical requirements of her job including... (list that stuff).. it is important she remain out of work for 4 more weeks. I will re-evaluate her at that time".

Often the disability forms ask for your limits. If you must be able to lift/push/pull 50 lbs to do your job the doctor has to clarify what you can do now so "No lifting/pushing /pulling beyond 25 lb for 4 more weeks".

The key to any disability claim is avoiding a doctor simply saying "disabled" or "needs 4 weeks". The doctor listing exactly what your limits are helps tremendously.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Spine Have your doctor state "based on the physical requirements of her job including... (list that stuff).. it is important she remain out of work for 4 more weeks. I will re-evaluate her at that time". Often the disability forms ask for your limits. If you must be able to lift/push/pull 50 lbs to do your job the doctor has to clarify what you can do now so "No lifting/pushing /pulling beyond 25 lb for 4 more weeks". The key to any disability claim is avoiding a doctor simply saying "disabled" or "needs 4 weeks". The doctor listing exactly what your limits are helps tremendously.

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Helpful information, thank you. I'll keep you updated after my post op ck.

I'm going to try the grocery store and a short walk again today with my daughters, hopefully I can tolerate it better than the last few days.

How is your healing going? Back to a routine yet?

Hugs