should i go back to work?

I had my tummy tuck, mini thigh lift, BL/BA and a great amount of liposuction with fat grafting to my bootie on December 26th.  Dr S told me I could probably return to work after 4 weeks which would make it January 25th.  He gave me two release letters one for the 25th and one for February 1st depending on how I feel.  I work at a hospital as an ultrasound tech.  I work 8 hour shifts plus take call about twice a week.  I probably won't start taking call until Feb 1st.  I do a lot of walking and sometimes a couple of portable exams a week.  I am still pretty tired during the day and I'm not sure if it's my body recovering or the fact that my hubbie keeps me up at all hours of the night (he is a night owl).  How long did you take off of work?  And should I take the extra week off?  Thanks for your help.

If you can afford to take the extra week, I would. You don't want to go back and not be ready...relax and give your body that extra time.

When I had my surgery I was out of work for 8 weeks.  I started feeling close to normal at 6 weeks; you had a lot more done than me.  I had an extended tt, bl/ba and lipo on inner thighs and flanks.

Listen to your body; if you feel like you can handle 5 eight hour days then go for it, if not don't push yourself, because you will regret it later.

Best wishes!
Sherline

Thanks for you input...Dr S. told me I should be fine at 4 weeks but I think I'll probably take the 5th week off as well....

If you can get away with it, do it!!

I think I am going to try for 3 weeks, but have him write me a letter for an additional week if I need it, the problem with my job is that I am a social worker and no one will be doing my work while I am gone, unless an emergency comes up on my caseload!!!

If you can get the time take it. On the other side I was back at work after my LBL & brachio @ 4 weeks and after my MTL & BL/BA only 10 days. It would probably be doable but you might be more confortable if you take another week. I was fine going back but had absolutely no energy when I would get home.

Sonya

Salina,

I had the exact same thing that you did and would take the time off....I just went back this week (at 6 weeks) and found after the first day that I was really swollen and tired by end of day. I have ended up working half day in office and rest of day at home so I can put my legs up. At 4 weeks, I would have thought I could handle it but whew...its tiring. Also, just yesterday I got a slight superficial opening in my thighs. Its already got a thin scabby on it but it shows that just because our incisions are closed we wont encounter additional wounds 6 + weeks out so...take the time to allow further healing :-)

if you do portable x/rays then you must have to push around that heavy machine I know it is motorized but you are still pushig, take the extra time off
Susan