Forced Back to Work...Help?

I own my own wedding business and while away for surgery & recovery - I hired a temp to answer phone calls, emails, etc.. I have been training her on and off over the course of several weeks prior to prepare for this time away. Did suregery on Monday. While in the hospital on Wednesday I could see on my cell that none of my emails had been replied to nor VM listened to.I call her from the hospital & she lies to me saying she has been. When I tell her that I can see on my phone that nothing has been sent out, emails not replied to and voicemails not listened to she lies and says 'Oh. i didn't know you could do that but your phone is wrong because I have been." Within minutes "magicly" all the emails from the weekend & days prior are marked 'read" yet nothing is in the sent box. I get home on Thurday & Friday I meet with her to a 5 page "to do list" for me of the the stuff she didn't do while away. I had over 10 different complaints from upset clients & vendors due to poor service while away. I spent Friday & Saturday working and now since I have fired the temp, I'm forced back to work full time on Monday, 1 week after surgery. I am so angry that someone would completely and utterly lie to a person in the hospital, not do there job and not help someone in need especially when they are being paid for it. So, any tips on life back at work so early post-op? I'm not ready but I don't have a choice. Any tips would be great. thanks!

 

Pace yourself...you will tire easily. Plan your meals, be prepared , keep water to sip on throughout the day. Get plenty of rest at night. Can your hours be flexible for a few weeks giving yourself some more time to heal - able to take short naps, start later in the day or end day earlier than usual...any adjustment would probably be helpful. Good luck.  

Wow that's a tough one but I would think that all you can do is your best when you get back. Also often if your honest with people in telling them what happened they will likely be understanding of your situation. More importantly, when you get back just go slow and do what you can. Rest if you need to and try not to stress. Best of luck. 

Wow! I'm so sorry you're having such a rough time... what a *****!

As far as tips... make sure you have plenty of staples with you to stay on track! I have a soft cooler that I pack full of drinks and such to make sure that I have what I need throughout the day.

Also, does your work require any kind of lifting? Can you hire someone to help you with that type of stuff until you can get back to 100%?

Ultimately, just make sure you don't push yourself physically. You just had major surgery. Take care of yourself.

I also returned to work Monday after the previous Monday's surgery. Assuming you're having a good recovery, it's doable if you can arrange to do most of your work from a desk or office. I was fortunate enough to be able to work the first 3 days at home then went into the office. But I did put in a full week.

My suggestions--
---Start with the easiest stuff first. The jobs requiring the least exertion. But set a timer if necessary to get up and walk around (even while on the phone) for about 10 minutes each hour.
---Do the same to remind yourself to drink---you don't want to get dehydrated.
---Take a cooler with all the stuff you need. Takes planning in advance!
---Try to get clients or vendors to come to you. Most folks are pretty accommodating when they know you're working just having been in the hospital.
---As the week progresses, you'll feel stronger, IMO. You'll be able to do more but no lifting until your surgeon says OK.
---Limit the length of your days. Maybe some hours in the am, a rest, then more hours in the afternoon.

Sorry you have to do this. Owning our own businesses is great....most of the time!

I also went back a week after, just be prepare to feel really tired,  later I foung out is normal to feel like that,  try not to over do take it easy and now is the time to get some help while you are there monitoring

have not had vsg, yet but will have to go back to work 8 days after. It will be quite difficult because I am a charge nurse of a critical care unit. Hopefully my sta will be cooperative esp since I am not telling them about my vsg

I had surgery on Monday & returned to work the following Monday. I just took my water & my shakes with me. I paced myself & I got a little tired, but made it hrough the whole week. Sorry that happened to you people who don't have the same investment in your business as you do will not go the extra mile. I have learned this the hard way too! Hope everything works out well for you & Hang in there!!