How long until...

You were able to go back to work. When my husband had his surgery in 2004 he was out 3 months due to a minor complication. I sit at a desk & have a rest room right next to me. My plan is: Surgery Monday, Home Wednesday, Back to work on Monday. I really can't be out much longer. I was already out on disability over the last 12 months so I won't be approved & that is about all the vacation time I have (a few other days for, just incase). My Dr. says that all of the young mothers he has done surgery on have recoverd a lot quicker because they have to. He said he had a patient have surgery on Monday & was working on heavey machinery on Saturday. He said it's possbile if no complications arise. Can you please share with me what your experience was. Thanks, Amy

Hi - If you have no complications - it is possible to go back to work the following week. I had surgery on a monday, home on wednesday and went back to work the following week. I was out a total of 8 days. I could have gone back a day or two sooner, but it was January and it was cold and I just didn't want to go out in the cold, but if I had to I could have. I was amazed at how quickly I recovered. I used very little pain medication. You might be tired at first but you bounce back quick. Good luck - Marta

I also had surgery on a Monday home on Thursday and back to work on Monday with a sit down office job. I was alittle tired but fine otherwise. Good luck with your surgery Bev

hi amy i was out 19 days -- but i have a physical job -- there is risk of me being kicked or punched or bitten -- but i had surgery on wednesday, home on friday, driving on monday -- with open rny good luck roberta

It took me 10 weeks to go back to work. Granted the last few weeks of that I probably could have pushed myself but the doctor wasn't pushing, I was getting paid, it was summer and I opted to stay home. I think your time frame is pushing it a little but it is probably doable because everyone else did it as well. I had to be re-admitted one week following my surgery for complications that have yet to be figured out. I am better, they just didn't know what the cause of my abdominal pain that forced my readmission was coming from. So I guess barring any unforseen complications you can be back to work that soon... but it will be tough. You will be tired and the diet that you have to follow is tough. As for your doctor allowing someone to go back to work who uses heavy machinary, I think that is trouble. This is major abdominal surgery, it isn't anything to sneeze at. If you pull something you could mess up sutures that are internal and cause big problems. My surgeon asked what kind of work I would be doing and I am assuming that he did that because any heavy work would have been forbidden. Hope that helps. I don't want to scare you but just be prepared for not feeling 100%. Good luck. Amy

I had my surgery on Tuesday, was home in time for dinner on Thursday, and in Disney World a week after that. Depending on the type of work you do, I don't thing - as long as you stay complication free - that you should have much trouble going back to work a week later. I was off of all pain meds by noon the day after surgery, and felt good almost right away. I did join a gym prior to surgery and worked out quite a bit - well, walking the treadmill, doing the stationary bike, etc. I think that helped a little.