estimating time off work

My surgery is scheduled for 13 Feb. I am 54 years old, had C-section at 23. My doctor told me if I feel up to it I could return to work after 2 weeks (no lifting)... that's what I told my boss. Now I'm starting to panic, after reading how long others took off. I am an office manager, so no lifting, but some walking around the office. What about driving? Doctor said some people drive after 5-6 days if they don't have pain. I have a 30-minute commute....

What type of surgery are you having?

CSZ,
I had TAH BSO BIRCH Bladder repair, I am 49 yrs old & in good physical shape (5'6" 125lbs), I am at 3 weeks & NO WAY could I return to a job. I feel pretty good NOW(most days), but I'm sooooooo tired all the time . I wasn't released to drive til last week, but I took a 4 hour ride with DH yesterday....I'm in bed today. It was just too much for me . I've had a few surgeries when I was younger, I never expected this. I'd ask the Dr. to give you a release from work for at least 6 weeks if you can afford to. It takes a lot out of you, & any additional healing time will only benefit you. Best wishes & Many Prayers for an uneventful surgery & God's Speed Recovery

God Bless
Lori

TAH/BSO, doctor not sure yet if laproscoptic is option... said depends on how movable the uterus is, he will decide after pre-op exam couple of weeks before surgery.

Hi Csz5651,

I went back to work 2 weeks after my LSH, with my Dr's okay. Being honest, 3 weeks would have been nice. I just took it really slow and I delegated a lot. I did have a lifting restriction for the first 6 weeks.

You might check on driving. My Dr. did not want me driving until the 2 week mark due to the prescription meds I was on in post-op.

If your Dr. does want to go ahead with a TAH, it can generally require a 6-8 weeks post op recovery time.

Best wishes,

Mary

CSZ!

I had a TAH/BSO with an abdominal incision (bikini cut). I did not drive for two weeks. When I began to run errands, I noticed that one or two a day was all I could handle.

I really only started to feel like my old self again at four weeks. But when I overdid it a few days, I ended up in my pj's all day .

I have a 1 hour commute each way to work and I'm not looking forward to going back! I do not have a strenuous job, but I think just getting up earlier, getting dressed and driving will have me in my pj's as soon as I get home from work.

Luckily for me, I had enough sick time with pay for the full 6 weeks. If you can do it, I highly recommend taking the time off.

s

Judy

I am back to work now, feel fine. Am not all that tired. I do not lift anything, that is very important. Driving is a bit uncomfortable, just feel like my insides are squished, doesn't really hurt though. Good luck to you.

2 weeks???
If you are allowed 6 weeks for disability, why don't you tell your boss that, but let him know it may be less. Everybody heals differently, and the last thing you need is the stress of a time limit. I took 6 weeks off and ended up with the flu the week before I was supposed to go back, so it pushed out to 7 weeks. One thing I noticed is that you will have periods ( not menstrual LOL)after your surgery where you feel great, and then blam... you'll get tired, or sore or...
The first two weeks back at work were pretty stressing on my body. I pretty much sit all day too. This is major surgery, take care of your body and mind.

Heck, at two weeks I was still not able to focus on any one thing for long due to hospital pain meds still in my system!

Take a couple of weeks more off, especially if you have the TAH/BSO.
I went back to work at six wks, and I wish I would of waited another wk or so...and I am a pretty tough 'ole bird!

Each week in the recovery process is another step forword...it is really quite amazing. But that step forword can easily turn into a major step back: been there, done that!
Good luck to you...and take your time!

I'm having a TVH and my doctor said I wouldn't be back to work any sooner than 4 weeks. My pastor's wife went back to work 5 days after having her surgery and she said if she had to do it over she would take at least 4 weeks. I think everyone heals differently but it seems as if everyone says that you are just exhausted after surger..... I think the suggestion that you say 6 weeks but that it could be sooner is great. That is actually what I did.