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time off work

Posted , 11 users are following.

christelle48036
christelle48036

I had my 6 week check today. Booked my own with the GP as the consultant no longer does them??? I am doing well. However, she insisted on giving me another 6 week sick note. I did not expect that. I thought maybe two or three as there is no way I am up to going back full time yet, but 6? She kept repeating that I had major surgery ONLY 6 weeks ago and that I need to FULLY ( her emphasis) recover to avoid problems down the line. When I asked if I could come back in a couple of weeks to be signed off if I felt up to it she said, "well you could, but I would be very reluctant to do it....No, probably not". Worth considering if you have the option (I know some have no choice/sick pay etc) and are thinking of going back to work.

1 like, 31 replies

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  • Nannyrose
    Nannyrose christelle48036

    Posted

    I m due my op next week, told my manager the gyno told me I d be off 12 wks and she was very stroppy and said I can drive after 6 weeks so can therefore sit behind my desk and go to work! I am gutted that I m getting no support and no sick pay, just SSP. My husband has told me he's making sure I don't go back for 12 wks now, regardless if having no money from work. That's the thanks i get after 7 years and never been off sick longer than couple of days. If your doc said you need another 6 weeks then take it, good luck
  • Luckymum
    Luckymum christelle48036

    Posted

    12 weeks i believe is the expected norm, I am almost 8 weeks post op, I had a 6 week note then my doc gave me a 4 week note, she then said that I would need to see her at that point (so at 10 weeks) and that she would be looking at at least another 2 weeks if not 4 at that point! I also had a week off before my surgery as my boss sent me home and I was signed off with anxiety, so in total I will be off for either 13 or 15 weeks :o I think if anyone having this op has the oppurtunity to stay off for the full 12 weeks they really should, even my Occ Health dept says three months post op. I'm feeling quite good now but there are still things that I cannnot do yet.
    • Nannyrose
      Nannyrose Luckymum

      Posted

      Hi lucky mum,

      That time had gone quickly! I remember you asking for dates of all having op too, and remember you having the op, you have survived it and at least I can see you as my role model! One big question, was it as bad as you imagined it to be recovery and pain wise? Be honest I d rather know the truth xx

    • Luckymum
      Luckymum Nannyrose

      Posted

      A big fat NO!!! I can honestly say the pain has not been that bad for me, I had the PCA morphine for about 20 hrs after the op then I was on Paracetamol and Diclofenic (Voltarol), I took those pretty much constantly for the first week or maybe two (can't remember) but no because I was in pain but because I didn't want to be! After that I have taken the odd few tablets here and there. I have had to take some Paracetamol quite recently but I think that was to do with my discharge as my consultant thinks that it was a pool of fluid from the op that has now come away, he said that it would have inhibited the internal healing, so I was getting some knitting pains at about 6/7 weeks, I don't think this is normal though. The worst part of recovery for me was the groin pains, ouch they really hurt, but only when you move. It was difficult to get comfortable in bed for the first couple of weeks so sleep was not fantastic, lots of pillows to support you in a sitting position is a good idea and for later on you can use one to support your stomach when lying on your side or between your knees. Also don't try to sit in an armchair, I did that and it hurt, even with my feet up, I have found that being semi reclined across a sofa good for daytime. Any questions just ask, I'll help if I can xx PS. we are not that far away as I am in W.Mids, just the other side of Wolverhampton!! x
    • Nannyrose
      Nannyrose Luckymum

      Posted

      Hi lucky mum

      Fancy that you bring so close! Did you go to new cross? Thanks for the Info, I expect it to be the worse pain ever, but I m forgetting the contractions I kept having as I m taking tablets to try and control them. I know when I have then I swear hysterectomy cannot be as painful! I ll be glad when it's all over just hope I don't catch this cold that everyone at work has had this week! Speak again soon x

    • Luckymum
      Luckymum Nannyrose

      Posted

      Hi, No I didn't go to New Cross, I was at Russells Hall in Dudley. Are you going to New Cross, or are you futher into Staffs? xx
    • Nannyrose
      Nannyrose Luckymum

      Posted

      Hi lucky mum

      I have been to new cross A&E for my pains as no a&e in Stafford after 8pm but although I am closer to new cross (4 miles away) I m having it done at rowley hall stafford, my gyno does nhs there too! So feel very priveleged get in there. It's very nice, only 14 bedrooms but I still feel totally nervous and dreading the whole scenario 😢

    • Luckymum
      Luckymum Nannyrose

      Posted

      Oh thats fab, you are going to get the best treatment smile I was just simply the worse with my nerves pre op but I can honestly say that it was no where near as bad as I thought it would be xx
  • christelle48036
    christelle48036

    Posted

    I'm also from England. South Yorkshire. I think that the advice differs massively depending on the country. In England we seem to be expected to take longer to heal fully. Although that may be because we are more likely to have abdominal incisions. Those are the conclusions I have reached from reading forums. I don't have any real evidence for that. We do seem to be given a 6 week sick note automatically on release from hospital though.
  • bridy16825
    bridy16825 christelle48036

    Posted

    Hi, I live in Lincoln, ( lincolnshire) 6 weeks abdominal hysterectomy today...I had my due to multiple fibroids, I kept my ovaries (I'm 45)..... I was really lucky that it was for nothing sinister and I have to remind myself off that when I'm having a bad day, I read all of your stories and take myself off and give myself a talking to!... I only had to wat 5weeksfrom seeing the consultant to op date which was very good......I'm seeing my GP next week re further time off...my employers are expecting me to take the full 12 weeks off.....I thought preop that I would be back by 8 weeks!!! How wrong was I...!!
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