Post Op - working in remote location (n.slope, ak)

Hi - My surgery is scheduled for March 4 - I took 2 weeks off from work. I work in a remote location - an hour & half from doctors - on the north slope in Alaska. Now I'm concerned that I didn't take enough time off from work... Any thoughts? I know everyone heals differently. I work a desk job - but it's 12 hour shifts.

Has anyone had the surgery and been able to return to full time work by 2 weeks out?

Thanks - Lisa

Every one is different but after 2 weeks I was not able to do ANYTHING.  I felt TERRIBLE.  I couldn't sleep.  I couldn't get enough fluids in.  I wasn't eating anything.  After 3 weeks I got a bag of fluids at the ER and had a bit of a turnaround and felt better.  After 2 weeks?  I couldn't have stayed awake for 8 hours.  12?  I don't think it is a good idea at all.  Can you change your plans if you don't feel up to it?

~Becky

There are a few that are that resilient, however I was extremely listless for a good 5 weeks.  You may want to reconsider.  I took 8 weeks off total and hit the ground running.

I did read of at least one being able to go back full-time at 2 weeks. I went back half days at 2 weeks and full time after 3 weeks. Desk job but only 8 hours.

--gina

 

I think you need more time.  I am one of the people that always pushes it.  I went back to work a 8 days but I could only work 1 hour and I live very close to my office (maybe a 2 minute drive away).  The next day I was in the ER for a partially collapsed lung.  Then I took the following day off. Then I went back to work the next day.  So I guess that would have made it 11 days post op.  I still could only work an hour or two.  Then I built up a little at a time until I could stay 8 hours but that took a few weeks.  I don't think I could've worked 12 hours at 2 weeks PO.  I don't think I could've stayed awake 12 hours at a time.  And I had to poop many times per day and that would have made any kind of a commute very difficult.

I think you need to plan on more time.  Two weeks is for very few that I have heard of.  I took 6 weeks total off - from day of surgery.  That may be generous but I had the benefits available (self pay on surgery) so I took it.  I can see maybe 4 weeks but your energy level from healing will be way down.  12 hour shifts even desk job will be a real challenge.

Just my $0.02 worth.

 

I am 4 weeks out this Thursday. I started feeling a little more like myself about the end of last week. I was tired. Your body goes through a lot. I go back on Monday...I'm glad Itook a month off. And I also work 12 hour shifts :0

If I had a desk job I would have been able to go back to work at 2 weeks, but not for 12 hours. If you can't take another week or two off, as your boss if you can start back 1/2 days for a week or two until you regain your strength.

Good luck to you.

Auburn

12 hour shifts is something most would not be able to do at 2 weeks out.  I don't believe you took enough time off.  Even if everything goes picture perfect, you still need time to relearn how to eat and drink.  You need to get to know your new body.  If I was in your position, I would probably take off 4 to 6 weeks.

I work 12 hr shifts - a desk job.  I went back to work 2 weeks later.  The WORST thing I could have done!  I was hospitalized twice the first month with complications.  I ended up off for an additional 2 weeks.   My surgeon said "You'll be fine".   I wasn't!

Everybody is different.  I wish I would have taken 6 weeks off from the get go.  If I were you, I would take at least a month off.