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Thinking about going back to work early!

Posted , 10 users are following.

lee4986
lee4986

Im back..... ok just a recap... im 5 weeks post op. Iv had a laproscopic sacrohysterpexy, cervix shortened, fallopium tubes removed and a posterior repair.

Im feeling really good. Wounds all except one healing well. One taking a little longer.... im in no pain and able to go about daily life really well. Im now starting to feel guilty being off work... sick note stated no work for 8 weeks then 4 weeks light duties back at work.... so thats another 3 weeks off work!!!! Do u think i should consider going back... obv after speaking to gp and getting the all clear...or should i really be staying off the 8 weeks???

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • carolyn011254
    carolyn011254 lee4986

    Posted

    I think it would be very sensible to stay off for your allotted time, they do say these things for a reason and while you feel ok at home going back to work is a very different matter. I know how you feel about the guilt as I feel the same but I was told 6 weeks so that's what I will be taking. Try to get passed that, look after yourself
  • Jan999
    Jan999 lee4986

    Posted

    Simple answer to your question......NO. It's very different being at work than pottering about at home.
    • sarah37908
      sarah37908 Jan999

      Posted

      At home we can just collapse in our ph's and back into bed when we feel like it , the thought of being in an office back in my job and actually having to talk to people all day is crucifying me lol , and I think I'm having a good recovery all in all ! Hubby back at work today , I'm so excited to have the house to myself , book in hand and endless cups of tea x
    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 sarah37908

      Posted

      So good to get house to ourselves! My hubby is a window cleaner and I only get house to myself on good days. Which means I get remote controls, sofa, and making myself tea and sandwiches .

      Enjoy as much as possible, it doesn't last long.x☺☺☺

  • DorryC
    DorryC lee4986

    Posted

    I have seen a lot of posts here where people are surprised at how much more tiring it was to return to work than they expected. 

    It takes 12 weeks for the tissues to heal.  it seems like the timeline they gave you is pretty sensible.

    do you have the kind of job where you could do a small amount of work from home while laying down and working on a laptop?   Maybe that would help you feel less stir crazy without wearing you out too much. 

    • lee4986
      lee4986 DorryC

      Posted

      Im a pharmacy technician where i stand for 8.5 hours a day. I only work three days a week though.... sick note stated no work for 8 weeks then 4 weeks light duties so if i do go back at 8 weeks was maybe gonna say can i do paper work, sitting down, which does need to be done... xx
    • Jan999
      Jan999 lee4986

      Posted

      It's the standing for long periods that is the problem lee. You will find it very difficult to cope standing for such a long period of time. You could find that you feel pain as well. I think in your job 8 weeks is optimistic.
  • ClaireM.
    ClaireM. lee4986

    Posted

    If you are signed off then stay off. You won't help yourself or work either if you go back for a week and then need more time off after that. Doctors note are there for a reason, you are not fit to work, you are not "bunking off" this is your recovery time.

    I have to say I have struggled, I am now 3 1/2 weeks post op and all this sitting around has not come naturally to me at all. That said I am now using the time to do all those things that you don't get round to so I have been looking for holidays on line, sorting through photos on the computer, renewing my passport etc. The kind of jobs that you can do sitting down and you don't have to do if you don't feel like it.

    I have also given myself more of a "routine" so I get the kids out of the house (someone else is doing the school run), read for 1/2 an hour, have a shower, read for another half an hour, put some washing away, read again etc. So I do have some structure to my day but equally if after half an hour sitting down I don't want to do anything I don't.

    You have to give yourself and your body the best chance for the wounds to heal and taking it easy is the way to go.

    • phyl_40063
      phyl_40063 ClaireM.

      Posted

      Completely agree with you ClaireM. The thing is that at work you can't just go and and lay down for a rest.

      I think we all feel physically great when resting most of the time, but don't realize that working even when it's light duties is more intensive and don't include lots of breaks.

      I felt great up to 10 week mark, have now been trying to increase the amount of time I'm on feet without break, and attempting to weight bear a little more in preperation for work. It's not going as well as I expected! Was hoping this last week off would make a big difference.

      Front repair is doing great but the back repair is still a bit uncomfortable, can't quite figure what's going on.

      So anyhow the point being that when we are not pushing beyond what we can cope with we can feel that we could cope with anything, but our bodies may need more time to heal!

      Phyl x☺☺☺

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