Time out of work after hysterectomy - question

My surgery was on August 2nd (13 days ago) and I was hoping to return August 21st. After speaking with my nurse she sent a letter from the doctor to postpone returning to work until after my follow up appt. on the 28th. I'm a property manager and things get very stressful at work. I know stress can affect my ability to heal so I'm not rushing it anymore.

I am still on pain meds, Motrin or Tylenol during the day and Percocet if needed at night. My pain is mostly from my belly incisions along with terrible itching! Im resting a lot and enjoying this stress free time at home!

My doctor is ok with giving me the 6 weeks even though it was laparoscopic..... And I am taking the 6 weeks. I still have pain when I have a BM and I am still getting tired during the day and taking naps!

Notice the great variety in answers, proving that recovery is very individual! Returning in 8 days would have been insane for me. I expected 2 weeks off with LAVH/robotic but extended that to 3 weeks before even going back. My belly felt so unsupported and vulnerable! I work with young children who make you laugh, give running belly-hugs, move quickly and require floor sitting/stretching. In week 4, I made it to work three days, came home in great pain and canceled the rest of the week. I have groin pains where an adhesion was removed, aggravated by driving too much or straining during BMs. Everybody's insides are different! My best advice to a HysterSister is: Don't stress by comparing yourself with anyone else ~ no one has your body except you, and no one else feels or heals the way you do. It's taken me 5 weeks to really feel OK about my own healing rate and do away with any and all expectations or comparisons. I truly hope this is helpful to someone!

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Originally Posted by Pbog For the sisters that have gone before us..... How much time did you take off of work and do you think you went back too soon?

I was off 6 full weeks and no way was it too soon. I struggled with fatigue and soreness for 2 weeks after returning to work on august 2 and still today I need a hot shower, heating pad, ibuprofen for soreness in back and abdomen. I prefer prescription strength but the otc brand works . Also swelly belly too when I over exert.

I am now at week 7.5 from a laproscopic vaginal hysterectomy of uterus, tubes and cervix. I would not be able to go back to work yet. I'm on holidays for 1.5 more weeks. I'm scheduled to be back full time at 9 weeks post op. But the dr is actually talking about writing me off for another 4 weeks past that. He is concerned that I'm still in pain.
I can only do "work" for about 1-2 hrs a day before I'm laid up. Like washing dishes, cooking, cleaning, etc. I still do no lifting, vacuuming, or much bending.
I still have a complete vaginal cuff of stitches the dr can see when doing an internal. He also removed a cyst, endometriosis and many adhesions in my tummy.
I can't believe I still feel so yucky after such a long time. But it's out of my control and I need to listen to my body.
I am so glad the surgery ended up being at the start of my yearly 8 weeks of holidays- I don't no how I could take this much time off using sick days.
I hope you just listen to your bodies and don't push it.