post op questions

I'm scheduled for a hysterectomy with bladder repair (for stress incontenience) in 2 weeks - my short term disability only pays 2/3 of my salary while out on MLOA...can't support the family on that! Here's the big question...I work a compressed shift so I am off 4 days a week and work 3 days, sit at a desk in front of a computer all day long - nothing physical...could I get away with not telling my employer about the surgery - and coming in to work as normal within 5 days?

My goodness - my answer would have to be - Don't even think about it!
First of all, you really won't be able to even if you want to. Second , you would VERY likely do serious harm to yourself. Third , people would most likely be able to tell that something was going on with you - this is MAJOR surgery! There are lots more reasons why that is really NOT a good idea!
You could possibly lose your job if you try that also.
Please please do not even consider returning to work until your dr releases you for that.
s

Honey you're gonna be hurting so bad, you'll probably pass out if you try that. Don't mean to scare you but there's no way you could do that.

I agree 100% with Jean. Which ever procedure you have, don't forget that this is MAJOR surgery. You will have hundreds of internal stitches. In addition, the first couple of weeks, you'll be under the influence of anesthesia and pain meds. You shouldn't even be driving then, let alone trying to work. Plus, sitting is an activity that should be limited to 20 - 25 minutes for about 4 weeks post-op as it puts a lot of stress on your healing internal tissues.

No, please don't even think of going back to work in 5 days. Recovery is at least 6 weeks and you will need that time.

You only get one chance to heal right and this will be it. If you try to do too much too soon, you could end up prolonging your recovery and causing serious damage which could require additional medical treatment. I used to work as a nurse on a surgical ward, and I've seen what can happen to women even years later when they don't allow themselves time to heal properly. We used to refer to it as the "Wonderwoman Syndrome."

Try to look into other financial options. Would it be possible to do some of your work at home on a laptop computer in a reclining position. I did that for several weeks. Or could you take out a short-term loan and pay it back when you get back to work. Or how about cutting expenses? How about short-term disability through your state plan?

I hope you can get something worked out, so that you can give yourself a proper recovery time.

Best wishes and s,

Lisa

WoW! Thanks for all your feedback! I now see my idea as very STUPID. I guess I thought I was a pretty tough cookie...

Ruggles

Your idea wasn't stupid, just rather naive and overambitious. It's hard to know ahead of time just how you're going to feel after this surgery. I mean, if you've never had a hysterectomy before, how could you know what you'll be feeling and how it will affect you.

To tell you the truth, when I had my surgery almost a year ago, I thought I could just go back to work in a couple of weeks! HA! These wonderful ladies, who had already gone before me, quickly set me straight on how it would REALLY be. And they were so right!

Full recovery from this surgery can take anywhere from 6 months to a year. I'm just now starting to feel 100% back to normal, though even today, after helping my disabled mom in and out of the car several times and carrying her groceries and my groceries into the houses, my abdomen aches and I'm exhausted.

That was another thing I wanted to mention to you, the fatigue from this surgery can sometimes be overwhelming, and it can last for months.

Do you know yet what type of procedure you are having?

Feel free to post any questions or concerns you may have. We're here for you whenever you need us.

Best wishes and lots of s,

Lisa

My ob/gyn said TAH, my pre-op appt. is scheduled for next week, I have several questions for her in regard to removal of ovaries.

Several people have told me that since I'm pre-menopasal (sp?), I should have my ovaries removed as well. The reason, they say, is that ovarian cancer is very hard to detect, etc. I will definitely discuss this with my DR...

Thanks again for all the support, I'm so glad I found this site!

Ruggles

Gee, I had my hysterectomy on Monday along with a bladder repair. I really am doing great but its been 5 days now and I couldn't go into work. Walking long distances really get me and sitting up straight bothers me some. I have the sensation of feeling swollen from the bladder repair.

Good luck!

I can understand the worry about money -- I'm self-employed, last year was very slow for business and only have long-term disability, no income will be coming in at all while I recover. I'm hoping I'll be able to do small projects in three weeks, but that's at my laptop reclining in bed or on the couch. Even then, I doubt I'll be able to get back to full project load (and full money) for 8 weeks or more.

I freaked about this at first, plus I have very high deductible insurance so my out-of-pocket will be stiff, but have calmed down. Healing and my health is much, much more important, and so I've already taken low interest loans to pay taxes, etc., and, well, the money thing will just work out, even if things are tight for the rest of the year.

Financial difficulties are not a good reason to risk your health. I've been unemployed for over 2 months and my partner's salary is frozen due to the state budget crisis. We are limping along with a little help from family and credit card, and just trying to be very very careful about spending money. I'm 16 days post op, and no way could I go to work. My summer job starts in 4 weeks and I will barely be ready to do it, with a lot of help (strenuous job, fulltime, overtime, 7 days a week). I am nervous enough about doing that job after 6 weeks of healing.
Do not risk your health.