When will I be able to return to work?

I'm going to have my DS in a few months. I work from home as a medical transcriptionist. All I do is sit and type reports, usually 3-4 hours a day. When do you think I'll be able to return to work after surgery? How much time should I plan to take off of work at minimum?  Thanks in advance for your help. This will determine how much I should save up ahead I surgery so my bills don't go unpaid during recovery.

 

alicia

I was out of work for 4 weeks. But since you can work from home and it's only 3-4 hours per day, you may be able to start again after two weeks.

I am a wedding planner for a living so running around, lifting, twisting, stressing haha that is my job.  I was back to work gently after 2 weeks and back in full swing after 4 weeks.  Since you can work from home I would say to take 1-2 weeks off just to focus on YOU and resting and getting your body healthy. 

I was one of those that thought I'd be back in two weeks. I was out 6 weeks. I became dehydrated,and it's a visous circle once you are in it. Stay on top of the liquids.

2 weeks is probably a good bet.  You may b e able to do some work before then.

I'm also preparing for my DS surgery (revision from lap band) which is scheduled for next month.  I asked my surgeons office this very question today.  I work full time but it's a desk job and I can work from home when I need to.  Anyway, they told me that if you have an option to take off 4 weeks, that's what they recommend.  If not, the minimum they suggest is 2 weeks.  She said that some people have gone back after 1 week but it's definitely not suggested.  She also told me that 2 weeks after your surgery you'll have your follow up appointment with the surgeon and will get cleared (or not) to return to work at that time.  Hope this helps - good luck!

I have a desk job at a hospital and my surgeons office says 2 weeks but I went back after 1 week. I was a little tired but I did fine. I was bored sitting at home so I'd do the same again.

You really never know how you are going to handle surgery. I've seen stories about people having no problems and others who have issues that keep them in the hospital several extra days. My goal was 1 week the whole time, but I arranged for 2 just incase things didn't go as smooth as I hoped.

For the ds, my surgeon recommended 4-8 weeks, but I'm going back after a week and a half. I'm an technology and engineering teacher.   

Thank you everybody so much for your responses! I think I am going to pay all of my bills one month ahead so I can take a full four weeks off if needed and if I can go back earlier, I will. Thank you so much for your advice.

That is a perfect plan.  My recovery was picture perfect, but I was very listless for a good 5 weeks.  I probably could have sat at a computer for a few hours a day after a few weeks, but it's better to be safe than sorry.