How long were you off work?

I have yet to go to a consult b/c I recently started a new job and don't want to have a consult until I have some idea of how long I'll be off.

I am hoping to get a breast, arm, thigh and body lift.  First off, will they do all these procedures in ONE surgery? That's my hope, even though I know it's a shot in the dark. Second, how long can I expect to be off? I work as a nurse and am on my feet, with the occasional bending/stooping.  I know these are Plastic Surgery questions 101, but this is my first time on this particular forum. 

I realize it's insane, but I'm hoping to be back to work in 2 weeks. I can't afford to miss work being new to the job.

Thanks for answering my basic questions,
Sara

I was told the thigh lift needed to be done as one surgery/alone. Not that it can't be, but due to how long the surgery takes and the recovery for it. I just got TT, BL, BA and expect to be off work 4-6 weeks. I am a paramedic. I would consider what you really want the most and up front, and go from there.

To be totally honest with you, two weeks is not reasonable for anyone. Maybe if you were just having the breasts and arms done.  But you have to consider the lifting restrictions with the body lift.  It's 5lbs for 6 weeks.  Some say 10lbs. I'm not sure what kind of nurse you are, but even being a NICU nurse, I couldn't get away with that type of lifting restriction.

You want to totally heal and heal well without complications.  Two weeks won't allow you to do that.  I'd say the least for a thigh and body lift would be 6 weeks.  Maybe you could do the breasts and arms first and then after you've reached some more time in your new job - take the time off for the other surgeries.

I have 4 weeks of my 12 weeks allowed for FMLA this year - so I'll be having the face/ba/bl/arm revision done at the end of the summer.

You can get FMLA if you need it for this?  That is actually awesome news!  Who signs the paperwork?

I work from home, just sit on my couch and talk on the phone and work on my laptop.  Will I be able to do this after two weeks if I take naps along the way?

Thanks!!  Robin

Robin,

I work at home to.  Usually in an office, but I went back 2 weeks and 1 day after BA/BL, arms, anchor cut TT, and medial thigh lift.  I brought my laptop out to my recliner and worked from there.  I didn't have any problems and now am 4 weeks out. 

Lisa Mc
 

That is awesome news!!!  Thanks for the input, work wants a realistic timeline from me...  Robin

Yup!  I got Short Term Disability and stayed home healing with the FMLA.  Dr Sauceda signed all my paperwork.  I sent them to him and he returned them via DHL.  Before I left he wrote a Discharge Summary for me for my STD company. 

I had to fill out FMLA paperwork because I was staying overnight in the hospital and following up with my surgeron. Even though it didn't qualify for STD nor was it paid by insurance, I still had to file the FMLA papers. My surgeon's PA filled out the paperwork.

Also, I had enough PTO for the procedure and still had to file the FMLA paperwork---I think you get the point

Every company is different. I was off work 2-1/2 weeks.

My Dr. wouldn't do all of those together. He did the LBL and arms together and the breast and thighs together. I was off work for 4 weeks w/ the LBL & arms. I was off exercise and lifting for 6 weeks.

For my thighs and BA/BL I was off work for 10 days but I have a desk job. If I had to be on my feet and did more walking I couldn't have done it after that time. I'd say maybe 3 weeks and I was OK but you may have more swelling in the legs b/c you are on your feet so much.

Sonya

 I'm a clinic RN and do mostly sit down triage.  I had a LBL, anchor cut TT, Long thigh and long arm lift and some face work done.  I took 6 weeks off.  I still need to prop my feet up or my legs swell at the end of the day.  You want your incisions to heal well and it would just be too much stress to go back to work that soon.   You will also have a lifting restriction. 

Dr. S in Mexico will do that many procedures at once,  but most US surgeons won't ,