Need help again.............How long will I be out of work after surgery?

Hi All, I was told by United Care Coordination Dept. that I should have an approval by 1/13/06. I'm hoping to have surgery on 2/3/06. With this in mind, I find myself needing to start the process for FMLA (time off) from my employer. Can someone please give me an approximate time frame I can expect to be out of work for recovery. I was thinking maybe 4-6 weeks. However, after reading some of the posts, I see people going back to work within 2 weeks. I think that's too soon but what do I know. Also, since my husband works out of town during the week, I was thinking about having my mother come up from Florida to help me with our 3 kids (ages: 13, 6, & 4) and dog (10months). How long should she anticipate being in Georgia? All comments are welcome. Thanks, D. Daniels

I went back to work 4 days after surgery. I teach, and it was the end of school....but the next week was post-planning.....WOW....I was SSSOOOOOOOOO tired by about 11 or 12 each day I was asking when it was time to go home. I'm so glad that part is over for me....now on to tt. See ya- and good luck

hey there, D.! Congrats on your surgery almost being here and on your decision to have it first of all. Time off after the surgery....I think it's very personal...I was back at work 10 days after surgery, and didn't have any problems... my job is not very physical, but I don't just sit at the desk all day either (I'm a PA)...but everyone is different ... depends on your age, overall health, possible problems or absence of thereof as complications of the sugery, and surgeons skills, pure darn luck....shoot for all you can get, but you may end up only needing part of it...."hope for the best prepare for the worst"(sp?)... right? As for help with kids... get all you can while you can....I know for sure there shouldn't be any lifting over 20 lb for a few weeks to start .. ...best of luck to you with surgery, recovery and weight loss, Rita

I was also back to work in 2 weeks. I have a little bit of labor intensive work, but very little... Anything that was what I thought was too heavy, I asked someone else to do for me. My mom came up from FL and stayed for 1 week with me. Once I was able to drive again, I was fine to stay by myself Good Luck to you with your upcoming surgery. Soon you'll be one of us Losers... Hugs, Susan

I went back after 2 weeks..but felt terrible and could not finish out the week. If I did not have a 1 1/2 hour commute time, I probably would have been alright. Just started to feel pretty weak driving on Thursday, so I turned around and went home, and stayed home on Friday too. If I worked closer, and did not have to deal with GA 400 traffic, I probably would have been fine that week

Thanks for all of the replies. I too have a 1 1/2 hour drive one way to work (I live in Rockmart and work near the Cumberland Mall). I was really worried about the drive. I think after 2 weeks I will try to drive to work and see how I feel. If I get too tired I will stay out another week. You guys are great. Thanks again... Be Blessed, D. Daniels