Going back to work - need advice on how many hours to work initially

I am 5 weeks post op today from a TAH (abdominal incision). I will go back to work two days after my 6 weeks are up. I work three days in a row every week - two 12 hour shifts and then a 10 hour shift. I am on my feet covering a whole hospital. I am doing well in my recovery, but fatigue is still an issue.... and I'm not working steady for 12 hours a day!!

What would you recommend as a schedule when I return based on your experience? Thanks so much!

Hi there! I had my TAH the same day and I can't imagine going back to work next week for 12 hr shifts! I work from home at a desk and I'm not looking forward to an 8 hr shift!

The fatigue is very real and 12 hrs on your feet? yikes!

Definitely ask the doc at your post-op, maybe half-shifts for the first week or two?

Good luck

I went back to work for 6 hrs a day for two weeks and I did not even have a TAH! I could not have possible done your schedule without something major happening.

Uuuuuuuuuum, I had a TAH on January 11th and I have been battling fatigue since I returned to work. I was fine when I had the luxury of

I work 9 hours a day and for the first week I worked 6 hours - plus I have an hour commute each way. It was a struggle. Now, I go home after 9 hours and get a quick nap (1/2 hour) and then resume my evening activities.

I will admit that part of my problem is that I am once again burning the candle at both ends and occasionally I strike the match in the middle too.

My job is considered a desk job, but I am on my feet for most of the day.

I would talk to the because initally, mine said that I could go back to work full time and I told her "I don't think so." Once I explained the 9 hour day, she agreed.

Yeah, I also have a 30 minute commute.... And this sounds so funny, but I carry this really big binder with me everywhere too - it is my "desk" and I wonder how that will be with the walking everywhere.....

I was thinking about two 8 hour shifts and then a 6 hour....

I was glad to see this post! And all the advice from others. Although I know we are all different, and of course we have different jobs; the only one who can really ultimately decide, I guess, is us... and our doctor. I have two more weeks until I go back on Apr 21. My surgery was Mar 4. I'm already beginning to worry about it, and I'm not a "worrier" type! I have a desk job, but can't take sitting in any one position for any length of time. My tailbone is still very tender. (I had a vaginal hyst with alot of other 'repairs' that took over 4 hours.) My job is 9 hours, including the lunch hour, and my commute is an hour-and-fifteen minutes each way; thus just about a 12 hour workday. When will I be able to get my naps in?! I still get worn out really quickly. I'll talk to my doctor on Apr 17 when I go for my 6-week check. See what he says then. If nothing else, I'm going to ask him to write my FMLA paperwork for at least 6 months, so on those days when I'm really feeling awful, I can stay home without fear of reprimand or retaliation. (Company I work for is extremely strict regarding attendance.) I hope this thread continues ...especially after we go back to work!

i work 12hour shifts in a residential home for the elderly,im due to go back to work on the 18th april i am bored at home but worried about going back to work i have been ok so far but these last couple of days i feel physically drained my incision site is very tender again too any addvice
luv
jewjew

Doctor released me on April Fool's Day - no joke - without restrictions. Because I was still taking a couple of naps a day, I asked him about the need for naps. He explained that my body went into "overdrive" as a result of the surgery and that in another week (or 3 weeks post-op), I will probably not need the naps.

So, I decided to work half-days this week and all of next week. I figured it was better than falling asleep at my desk. I have been back at work for two days now and have come home after work and taken a short nap each day.

I know I would not be able to last a 12 hour shift running around a hospital at this point. As others have said, we have only one chance to heal so please take care.