Returning to work????

I continue to be amazed at all these posts of women going back to work 2 weeks after surgery. Bravo!!!
I don't know if I'm already a wimp - but I'm having an LAVH on Nov 17th and I told my work I would be out for 6 weeks - I work on a busy Labor and Delivery unit - lots of standing, holding heavy legs of mom's who have epidurals, pushing beds to the operating room.....
Yes I'm a nurse, but not when I'm the patient.
I don't have my preop until Oct 25 and my doctor will give me more specifics on the time off from work etc.
Is 4 weeks more realistic? Will my doctor even give me 6 weeks?
I'm hoping not to work Christmas, it's my holiday to work and I'd like to be home with my family.

Gigi

No one's a wimp here, honey, especially a nurse. We may all heal at different rates, and our jobs also play a major role in when we can return. With your demanding job, I wouldn't blame you one bit for taking off as much as necessary.

Take your 6 weeks!! Rest Relaxe then you will be 100%when you go back!!

Sherri 31 LAVH, BSO A&P 10/10

I went back at 2 weeks (even tried to work at 8 days post op but only managed one day). However, that was only because I own a daycare center (over 200 kids) and didn't have a choice. And my doctor is one of those that believes that the faster you get back to normal the better (in his previous life he probably encouraged those women to squat in the fields to have a baby, strap the baby to her boob, and get back to work). So I absolutely, 100% believe that, if you have a job that tolerates it and a doctor who allows it, then take every single, solitary minute you can get your hands on. As women we work way too hard anyway (in and out of the home). So you go girl. Take the time and enjoy your Christmas if you can arrange it. Good luck with your coming surgery!!

Rhonda

I had a LAVH and went back to work at 7 weeks post-op. I did half days the first week, then full days at 8 weeks. I don't think I could have gone back to work any earlier, and I have a desk job that isn't as physically demanding as your job sounds. I think 6 weeks is entirely reasonable.

Six weeks for sure! Maybe you will get lucky and get 7-8 weeks. If you have a good relationship with your doc, maybe you could ask for him/her to "restrict" you through the first of the year...

I am also having a LAVH/BSO on November 17th. My gyn suggested I could be back at work after only 10 days. Now I am confused. My preop is Nov. 7th.

Alot depends on your doctor, your surgery, complications if any and the type of work you do. Everyone heals differently. And being a nurse, I would think that you will want at least six weeks if not eight weeks off (my moms a nurse and I know how hard they work). Talk over your concerns with your doctor.

I am having a LAVH on 10/26 and the surgeon asked what I did for a living. I told him I an a secretary and he said that I would easily be out of work for 6 weeks. That is what I told my boss and my boss said, "don't worry about your job, worry about your recovery." So, I'll play it by ear with following up with the doctor.