Is it too soon to go back to work ?

Good Morning Everyone.. I had my Extended TT on November 27th and I am scheduled to go back to work on Dec 12th.  My surgeon sent in the paper stating w/ a no heavy lifitng restrtiction.  GREAT..so now I wonder what he will do.  Is it too soon to go back to work?  I know i could perform my duties should a problem arise but I also know I would be hurting the next day too. I work weekends 2 twelve hour shifts and a 8 .. Just wanted some input.  By the way I feel great  have been out an about no overdoing it.. resting.. I have had one bad day so far..I sure many more to come but I feel like I am ready...

Thanks for your input

Natalie

it depends on what you do. I feel if you are getting paid for it take off 6 weeks cause after an extended TT you really need that much time unless you have a desk job and you can sit most of the day but 12 hrs. is an awful long time even if you do sit all day. sounds like you might work in the hospital . If you do from past experience there is no light duty. if a patient needs help you may forget about yourself and try to help them remember you did  have a muscle repair and you don't want to hurt yourself.

I felt great after y TT I was driving after 1 week never took pain meds but if I overdid it my beely swelled so just be careful

Ah! you are a nurse too? I am a private duty nurse to  darling boy for he past 10+ years. I work 12 hours shifts too and only at night.

He is a good sleeper and is, in fact, asleep most of my shift, but since he needs to be turned and positioned q 2 AND there is always the chance that he will pee BEFORE I cath him, there is the roll, push, pull of changing his attends. (he is a quad. and 17 years old now) With that knowledge, my doc said to take the full 6 weeks. YOU DONT WANT TO UNDO ALL THE BEAUTY THAT WAS JUST DONE!!

What stinks for me is that I am self employed and do not get paid for  time off...and once I go back to work, it will be a month from my first billing before I get paid. Thank God for savings. I will rely on that bundle for a while.

Listen to your body and please do not over-do!!

Good luck, Natalie!

Soapy

Hi Soapie  Yes I am a nurse I work in a longterm care facility on the rehab unit .  if there is a choking episode or a full code then i must perform.. aside from that the cna's do the heavy lifting and we have a no lift policy if a resident  falls we must use the sara lift or hoyer.. I think my surgeon is going to change the return to work release form , he called me this evening.. and i am planningon seeing him again on friday.  Why couldn't I have been born rich instead of beautiful ?  lol

Natalie

Well, between the mechanical lifts and the CNA's it looks like you are good to go. My only problem would be fatigue. I have days lately when I cant do squat for a full day...usually after I got a few things done the day before...like vacuuming, or floor mopping. One day I can function, the next I cant. But I had alot done at once...did you JUST have the TT? It may make a difference.

Good luck going back to work. Hope all goes well!!

Soapy

How pleased are you with your extended TT? I'm looking into getting that one done. I'm nervous about the pain though!! How was your recovery? so you ended up taking just a little over 2 weeks off?

I am EXTREMELY PLEASED W. MY tummy tuck  I can't beleive thats my tummy I stare at in the mirror..  Pics will follow soon  I promise

Natalie

Hey Natalie, I am extremaly pleased with my tummy too.  The muffin is finally gone!  Yay!  I was going to go back to work this Friday but yesterday I went grocery shopping, made beef stew, met a friend for coffe and then went to a support group, didn't get home till 9:00 and today I'm exhuasted.  I will go back to work next week.  Today I am resting, I'm listening to the advice of others on the forum, resting as much as I can.