work

Can you speak to your GP and get signed off if you are not being given suitable light duties? Good luck for your op

Ann

I managed to work (office based) full time right up to the operation. I was in agony most of the time, not sleeping and nearly at the point of giving in. I was at the hospital at 7 am but was the last to be operated on that day around 4 pm. There was a chance that my operation would be postponed and if it had I would have got signed off as I couldn't have carried on working.

So, what point have you got to ? Is traveling to work agonising, are you hardly getting any sleep ? Are you in tears several times a day ? If so, get your GP to sign you off work, you need to look after yourself. 💐

Hello, it  sounds like you are having a difficult time, and I am surprised that you being in health care, that your bosses don't know any better.  In my case,  I finished work at 11:30 pm and the next day had to be at the hospital at 6 am for surgery.  I had a really difficult time before surgery.  I couldn't sleep and the pain was excruciating on a good day.  I was worse after surgery.  Finally I went back to  surgery for repair work about 18 months later.   In between hip surgeries I was off for 3 months with carpal tunnel surgery.  I needed this because I was so long on crutches from the first hip surgery.  I have to work since my children need the health care benefits that my job supplies.   If at all possible, try to tough it out and then you can have the time you need (hopefully) to heal after the surgery.  I am concerned for when you go back to work, that you don't over-do it.  I am a nurse too, but I work in an administrative department in a hospital, would you be able to do different work if need be?

Hope the best for you.

Leah

Hello jools I completely sympathise with you, and your bosses should know better. If you really want to stay in work until your operation speak with your GP who can issue you with a fit note that can state restrictions, so tell your GP what you can't do at work and if he puts it on this note and you take it to your bosses they would have to put you on light duties. The same would apply when you can return to work after your operation. Good luck 

Jools first of all they have a duty of care towards you and are not following their own policies. Get union involved. Secondly witg a physically demanding job you are prob going to need to take 3 months off. I had 2 months off but have an office job and it was tough even though I have a great boss whovsaid do whatever hours you lije I was full time in 3 days and I was shatterd. Be positive about recovety. I had an infection and nerve damage which resolved quickly. You will never regret having it done. My first words to the surgeon in recovery was that bloody pains gone! Gpod luck xx

Hi Jools

I work in the NHS and took annual leave for a couple of days before both my ops as I felt I needed a little breather before the big day. Phased return worked well for me, soon when I return after my 2nd new hip I will make sure via Occ Health that I maintain the recovery pattern needed as per my Physio. Not sure how that will go but am going to try to be determined enough to recover well before the job takes over as per usual. 

Sorry no more help but good luck with it all. A XX

I will post how I get on with it all

Hi jools - so sorry to hear your work colleagues are being so unsupportive.

I understand your reluctance to be signed off before your op - how long will you be able to get full pay when signed off? Might be worth making an appointment with HR and talking it through with them. They, probably in conjunction with occy health will be able to arrange staged return etc.

I work in private health sector - my HR manager said they would support me staged finish and return. I was lucky and work parttime so struggled on until op and rested on days off. My manager was v supportive also so i did less physical stuff prior to op. I hope to go back innfew weeks and will be on staged return. Best of luck and be kind to yourself. Xx