after a "tah" when is the body really ready 2go back 2work

my doctor wrote on my insurance forms 1month 2 the date after surgery that i would be able 2return 2work.....when i called the office 2speak with someone in medical records i was informed that that was a normal time 2 be healed & back at work...is this enough time without complications ??

Depends on the individual, I'd say, and whether you had an open or lap procedure. I was on restricted activities for a minimum of 8 weeks, but I am a very large woman and had a very large procedure, as everything was huge with cysts and fibroids. Plus I have diabetes, so the docs assumed a longer recovery period for me anyhow.

If working had been an issue for me, I would *not* have been ready to go back even at 8 weeks, much less at 4.

I'd say you need to be honest with yourself about whether you feel ready to give it a try, and if you don't feel fairly confident about it, talk to your doc about an extension of medical leave. This is especially true if your job involves any degree of physical labor. Please err on the side of caution; you only get one first crack at healing right.

I had a TAH on 9/7 and just returned to work today, yesterday was 6 weeks. I feel pretty good, although my belly is still swollen and is tender. I sit at a computer most of the time, but I do commute into the city by bus and train. I would not have been able to come back sooner than this.

I returned to work yesterday 1/2 day, and today a full day. I am 3 and 1/2 weeks post-op and I can honestly say it was way to soon. did ok yesterday but the full day today was to much got bad swelly belly and pain in abdomin and very tired did not last whole day left 2 hours early. Now I think I will wait at least one maybe 2 more weeks before going back again, Everyone at work did not want me to return so soon but I thought I was gonna be ok Wrong, now they are all saying told you so. My body really hurts tonight just took pain pill havent been on them for 2 weeks. bummer

this friday will be my 3rd week post op,& 2day is the 1st day that as of yet i have not taken a pain pill....however i dont feel that in a week & 10 days i will be ready for the old 40hours,or maybe even 20 !! this was some serious surgery & i think 4 weeks recoup time is not enough......maybe things will look different by nov 1st.....

i meant in ten days i dont think i'd be ready,but maybe i am second guessing myself & maybe i will be a changed woman,afterall i've had no issues from the normal healing process....

"tah softball sized firoid removed-left ovaries"

Hi all I will be 6 weeks post on this Friday - no way would I have been ready to return to work before this time. Alot of healing goes on between week 4-6. I see Dr on Monday and will talk to him about part time for weeks 7-8. Take care and dont push before your ready, whats a few more days in comparison to the rest of your life, set backs are no fun and very depressing - take care !

I weened myself back into work. The first week back I tried only working 8 hours, then the 2nd week 16 hours. I am now on my 4th week back and at full schedule. Today was my first day back waitressing, I am tired, but no extra aches or pains. I am not by no means trying to be superwoman here. I did start back at 3 weeks post-op with the stip that I would be going home if things didn't work out. I am happy to say that I am still doing fine other than that darned ole swelly belly. Not even the discomfort associated with it, but the fact that I only have 2 pair of slacks that I can fit it in to. Will be happy when I can fit back into my whole wardrobe. I think that your body along with your dr. of course, will let you know when you are ready. I have just been one that the longer I sit/lay around the worse I feel, so getting going for me, along with restrictions has worked for me. Please be careful and good luck to you...

I went back to work at 5 1/2 weeks for half shifts only. I made it through the first night, but the second night I left after 2 hours because of pain and . I was on half shifts until I was 8 weeks post op, then stayed on light duty for 6 more weeks until my incision healed completely shut (I had a seroma). I could not have gone back in 4 weeks, even if someone had driven me. There is a lot of healing that goes on between 4 and 6 weeks...and it takes several months to have all your energy back, as a general rule.

If you feel you are not ready, get your doctor to write a note stating you will be out for another couple weeks. If nothing else, go back part time and build up to your full hours.

Good luck.
s
Cat