Question:
NO INCOME DURING RECOVERY PERIOD.
I have been scheduled for Lap RNY on 11/06/08. My dilemma is I will have to be out of work for 6-8 weeks. Unfortunately, it will be unpaid. Does anyone have any advise on how to receive some type of income while I am recovering? Any advise will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. I work for NYS. I am insured through Empire BC/BS. — DIMPLES69 (posted on October 4, 2008)
October 4, 2008
Not sure of your situation but 6-8 weeks sounds like a long time to have to
be out? I had lap RNY on January 17 and could have gone back to work 10
days later when they took my staples out although I elected to take 10 more
days and vacation during the time. Maybe you won't need to be off so
— sandrainpodunk
October 4, 2008
Is your job such that you could do some work at home once you are feeling
better after surgery?? Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!!!
— Carmen G.
October 4, 2008
Do you not have short term disability where you work? I was only out of
work for two weeks. Why will you have to be out 6 to 8 weeks - that would
probably depend on the type of work that you do. One just can't pick up
more than ten pounds the first two weeks. Most work places have short term
disablity - talk to your Human Resources rep.
— ap2008324
October 4, 2008
Just an fyi.. and i know its not much but i have state farm Car and renters
ins on my policy i have a have a hospital pay income..meaning for everyday
im in the hospital i get 100.00... check with your Auto/home owners/
renters ins..or swich to one that has this available ...so if im in the
hospital 2 or 3 days i get 200 or 300 $$ just something to check into or if
your employer has any kind of aflack or short term disability...hope it
helps
Christina
— playgirl2077
October 4, 2008
Lap RHY should not keep you out of work for that long. Probably only 2
weeks. Also, you should check with the Human Resources Department at your
Job; where I live (New Jersey) there are short-term disability benefits
through the state of new jersey..... The HR Dept. at work explained it to
me and helped me submit the form and my Surgeon had to submit a form (they
do it all the time for patients). I was able to get money for my time off
work. This money is our tax money we all pay-in.
— Gina S.
October 4, 2008
6-8 weeks is a bit long for lap unless you have a very physical job with
heavy lifting just as someone else had said. I was an insurance benefits
specialist for 8 years so you definitelty want to check with your HR
administrator and see if you are enrolled in short term disability if they
offer it. Only 5 states plus Puerto Rico are legally mandated to provide
the benefit otherwise it's optional and they do not have to offer you
anything. They are California, NY, NJ, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. If it's
not one of the mandated states, they may not offer it all all since it's
optional and at their discretion. If you aren't enrolled in the plan then
you will have to wait until they have their open enrollment period which
for most insurance carriers is in November in order to have benefits
effective Jan 1 or May to have benefits effective in July for fiscal year
employers. Unfortunately you are not able to enroll whenever you like
unless you have a change in status such as getting married. Your employer
can enroll you as a late enrollee but there are many hurdles to jump over
for that to happen and even then there will most likely be a pre-existing
condition clause on your policy which would prevent you from recieving any
benefits for this since you were treated for it within the 12 months prior
to being out of work unless you had coverage with another carrier prior to
this. So if you do not work in one of the mandated states, then you
definitely want to check with your employer and then take it from there.
Sorry my answer was so long but I hope it helped you even a little.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 4, 2008
Why can't you collect state disability? Have your doctor fill out the
forms. Also, why would you be out that long? My doctor told me in one
week I could go back but it depends on what type of work you do. I am an
Executive Assistant who sits all day. My surgery is next week Oct 9th Lap
RNY but unfortunately, my Temp assignment ended yesterday so I can take
longer to recover and don't have to worry about going back so soon while I
collect unemployment benefits.
You shouldn't be out that long. My doctor told me one to two weeks for
LAP. If it were OPEN then it would be longer.
— LA2194
October 4, 2008
I was able to return to work in 2 weeks. I could have gone back after a
week, but I milked it for an extra week.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 4, 2008
I was able to return to work in 2 weeks. I could have gone back after a
week, but I milked it for an extra week.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 4, 2008
Is Lap RNY the same as Lap Band????? Is so why is your DR keeping you out
so long???? I had Lap Band on a Thursday....was walking to the end of the
block and back ( about 9 houses) on Friday evening...went Grocery shopping
on Sat ( but did not pick up or carry them ) went to the mall on Sunday for
an hour and half and back to work on Monday.....and I was 58 at the
time...so why is he keeping you out>>> I will tell you the best
thing you can do ..as soon as you can start walking.....to the kitchen and
back...to the bathroom and back....around your house ...get up and down and
walk ...walk ...walk...it will ease the gas pains and you will heal and
feel better faster.......this was what my Dr told me to do....I never took
pain meds after the second day and was driving on Sunday.....
— pphillips4720aol.com
October 4, 2008
This may or may not be for you. 6-8 weeks is a long time!! Best of luck
to you. Visit www.newreflections.nsedreams.com
— bariatricdivalatina
October 4, 2008
Wow...6 to 8 weeks seems a bit long. You might want to get Aflac isurance,
they will give you money while you're in the hospital and maybe even while
you are at home recouping from the surgery.
— maria09elena
October 4, 2008
6-8 weeks? That's a long time to be out... you should be able to return to
work in just a couple of weeks, (depending on your situation). I'd talk to
your surgeon and find out why so long of a 'recovery' time.
— pattschiele
October 4, 2008
Just thought of more to say... I was able to do just about anything after 2
weeks. If your surgeon insists you stay out for 6-8 weeks, you could take a
part-time job or sell on eBay. You shouldn't be limited to anything after
the first week or two (except maybe lifting anything over 10 lbs) and that
depends on how you feel. Good Luck!
— pattschiele
October 4, 2008
I was going to ask the same question regarding short-term disability that
most employers have for all their employees. You could apply for that. I
had gastric by-pass and could have gone back in two weeks; however, my
doctor had told me 4 and my manager went with the doctor's recommendation.
Had I insisted he would have let me go back in two. If you're having lap 6
to 8 weeks does seem a little long. You might want to check your surgeons
credentials.
— the7thdean
October 4, 2008
I'm not sure of the reason you need 6-8 weeks, I had OPEN RNY and I took 1
month (because I was paid) I could have gone back to work in 3 weeks TOPS.
Good Luck, wish I knew of something for you.
— imaswtgrl
October 4, 2008
If you are really going to be out 6-8 weeks which seems long to me. My
surgery buddy loads grocery trucks for a living and was only out for 4.
However, check with your HR department about FMLA. you would have 12 weeks
and some of it is paid.
— phyllismmay
October 4, 2008
I had my surgery 5/22/08 and was out for 6 weeks as well. But my job offers
short term disability. I was paid for the first week out of my PTO and then
we have it set up where we get Extended Sick Leave pay in which we get
along with state disability.
— DPURNELL
October 5, 2008
If you have used up your sick leave, maybe your emloyer can see if any of
the other employees want to donate some of their sick time to you? I know
it depends on how large a company and how many employees whether this is an
option, but it is something to think about.
— Wendy M.
October 5, 2008
I agree with other posts. I returned to work after 3 weeks and a friend of
mine returned after 2 weeks doing 1/2 days for the 3rd week.
— Junegirl
October 5, 2008
My question back to you would be why do you have to be out of work for 6-8
weeks? Most are back to work in about 2.
— vegastina
October 5, 2008
How did you find an old fashioned surgeon that would give you that much
time off of work? I had open hernia repair and lap band with a huge 8#
incision and was only given 9 days off work by my surgeon. I wasn't ready
to go back and begged for more time off and he wouldn't even consider it...
and at the time was the charge nurse of a very busy 34 bed med-psychiatric
unit which often turned into wrestlemania with very psychotic patients.
His thoughts were the sooner you get back to your normal routine and
function, even though it is strenuous, the better off you'll be in the long
run. You will heal faster, have less chance of DVT, lose weight faster,
etc. I was furious and did go back as I didn't have any choice, my
teammates just took up my slack and were very protective of me.
I don't know how to advise you as far as making some income goes, but, I
would like for you to be thankfull for the time off as it is a rarity. If
you don't have any complications, you'll most likely be able to go back
sooner. God forbid you do, you'll be glad for the time off to heal.
Remember, low energy after RNY is normal and it takes time to get back to
normal.
Good luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
October 5, 2008
My surgeon's nurse gave that as an approximate time to e out. I f I do not
have any complications, I plan on being out for 3 weeks. Maybe even 2
weeks and the 3rd week I will do 1/2 days. Please pray for my speedy
recovery. Thank you.
— DIMPLES69
October 5, 2008
Lets not be judgemental, we don't know her circumstances It is her MD's
decision and there must be a reason for this. I had open RNY and was out
6 weeks, I am a nurse and I do heavy physical work!!!! Good luck!
Ana Villa,RN
— nursevilla
October 5, 2008
I hope you can go back sooner than the 6-8 weeks. I work for the St. of MD
and they will not allow me to come back on a light duty so I have to be out
the 6-8 weeks until I can lift without restrictions.
— tonitoot
October 5, 2008
If you work for nys how come you dont have any time you can use? I work for
the county. NYS disability too I think is available.
— Linda R.
October 6, 2008
I had my surgery on Thursday, September 4th and returned to work on
Thursday, September 11th. It is not that long of a recovery.
— showcattlemom
October 6, 2008
— Lil' Booty
October 6, 2008
Although it depends on the type of work you do 6-8 weeks seems like a long
time. I had surgery on 7/30 and was back at work on 8/11. Disability is
also an option I would look into if I were you. Good luck!
— dnefews
October 6, 2008
I had lap RNY on Sept. 3,2008 and was back to work on the 22nd and I am
doing great, it depends on the type of work you do how long before you can
go back to work. As far as an income try diability.
— humper
October 6, 2008
The only restriction I had after surgery was no lifting greater than 25
lbs. Why does your doctor say 6-8 weeks for a laproscopic procedure? I
took 3 weeks off because I had the time, but I could have went back to work
after the first week. Good Luck
— mary_rn
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