returning to work

Anyone out there take the whole six weeks off? I don't want to be a wimp, but I just don't feel ready to jump back into it (surgery was 4 wks yesterday). I've also been getting sharp pains on my right side and have had "digestive" problems! Like when I have to go, I have to go NOW!!! I'm hoping this is normal! (& temporary!!!)

I'm 5 weeks today. Yesterday dr cleared me to go back to work next Monday. However, I chose to start this Thursday (tomorrow) because of a mandatory training session.
Yes, same here! For the last week, when I have to go, I have to run to the bathroom! Hope it doesn't happen at work!
I didn't feel I was ready to go back, either. I wanted so bad to ask for another week - or two! But I couldn't. I don't have any complications and no pains like you Janine. I hope they go away soon for you. Each week does get better. And you can take the whole six weeks, I'm sure. Of course, each dr is different, but I was told the initial recovery is 4-6 weeks. Some say 6-8 weeks.
Best of luck to you!!

Thanks for the support and positive wishes!!! My pains aren't like "doubling over" pains but there nonetheless! I'd be more concerned if they were continuous, but it does come and go (I do have a call in to my doctor though). I'm hoping my work understands!

My TAH was last October (I'm almost six months out), and I took the full six weeks. I know people have extenuating circumstances, but my recommendation would be, if you have the medical leave and you can afford to take the full time, do it! It's amazing how long it takes for everything to fully heal. I don't feel like I'm there quite yet, even now. I was lucky to have saved up enough paid medical leave to take the full six weeks and had no complications, plus I have an office job (very little physical work). I think if you had any complications you might need to do your best to find some way to take as much time as your body needs, especially if your job is physically demanding or you have a long commute.

'm taking full 6 weeks off, and any more that i can wangle.

I WORK FROM A HOME OFFICE AND TRAVEL TO NURSING HOMES IN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN. I WENT BACK TO THE HOME OFFICE PART 11 DAYS AFTER SURGERY BUT WILL NOT TRAVEL UNTIL MAY.
I FIND EVEN SITTING UPRIGHT FOR MORE THAN 2 HRS REQURIES A LITTLE "LAY DOWN"- SO IT IS NICE THAT I CAN DO THAT WHEN NECESSARY. I WORKED FROM 8-5 THE FIRST DAY AND WAS EXHAUSTED! BUT NO COMMUTE IS THE HEAVENLY PART.
IF I HAD TO DRIVE TO AN OFFICE AND STAY THERE 8 HRS A DAY I WOULD HAVE WAITED MUCH LONGER TO GET BACK IN TO THE SWING OF THINGS.
BE SURE YOU UTILIZE YOUR FMLA STATUS IF ELIGIBLE- IT GUARANTEES 12 WEEKS OFF PER YEAR WITHOUT LOSS OF JOB/STATUS. IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT ASK YOUR HR PERSON AT WORK.

I'm 8 days post and going to work for a few hours tomorrow. If I don't get off this couch and out of this house I'm gonna go CRAZY. I'm a home health nurse and my boss is going to let me do some office work for a while and my own pace. We'll see how this works out but I don't think I could sit here for the entire 6 weeks. I'm not use to being so helpless ...... I see things that need to be done and I want to do them.

I know all the dangers of pushing my recovery and my doc knows me well and is watching me closely. As much as I love my family I've gotta get out of here and back to work or they'll kick me out and it's only been 8 days.

PS: I also don't have sick time or any other benefits with my job so there's the financial worry as well.

Marie

I went back to teaching on Monday after only 4 weeks off. I had a laparoscopy, so it was a much easier recovery. I was worried about going back so soon, but I couldn't afford to be out any longer. I'm pretty much okay until about 2:00 and then I can fee the exhaustion begin to creep in. MOnday, I didn't get home until 5:15 and totally collapsed for the rest of the night. Tuesday I was a lot better, but today, I am exhausted again, and even left school an hour early. You just can't help the exhaustion. It really overtakes you. Apparently it's completely normal. I just hope it doesn't last too tooo long.

I had TVH on 3/1. I'm going back to work on Monday 4/12. My doctor wouldn't let me go back until 6 weeks and then next week he told me to only work half days. I'm feeling wonderful just a little tired. He told me I felt so good because I had followed his and (hystersisters) advice to the letter. My doctor knows me well enough to know I would've pushed myself earlier but he's not going to let me. He wants me to heal. If you think you need more time and can afford it. You should do it.

I had LAVH on 3/2 and about 5 weeks post-op. I thought that I would be able to go back to work at 4 weeks, but when my doctor said 6-8 weeks, it really DOES take 6-8 weeks to heal. (I'm only now starting to feel more normal....anticipate going back to work at week 7, if he clears me for full duty).
I have the same bathroom problem--- when I have to go, I have to go IMMEDIATELY! This could be a problem at work... have meetings/planning sessions during the day and it is politically incorrect to jump up and leave. Hopefully things will get better.