Hey all,

I am being banded on the 20th, 2 days away, so excited. I am a manager for a TJMaxx, and am planning on taking 10 days off for recovery, any other retailers out there? How long did you stay out for? I am in charge of the sales floor and am rarely in the office, and my store is GI-NORMOUS ~44000 sqft, so lots of walking etc. Any advice is helpful. Thanks!!!

Sara

I'm not in retail but I walk at least five miles a day and I'm currently four days out and I feel that I could easily walk a half mile straight right now, a mile would be pushing it as I get light headed from not being able to consume enough calories -- but in another six days I imagine I'll have no issues with five miles. Just make sure people know you had abdominal surgery (they don't need to know exactly what you had done) and that you may need to rest every now and then. Wear supportive undergarments (will help a lot). And take it easy. Remember, you won't be fully healed for 4-6 weeks.

I'm not in retail but was for years, now I have a desk job. When I went back to work I had to keep getting up to walk around because it was killing me to sit for too long. The position I'm in at my desk was making my incisions hurt, walking or standing were the only things that made me feel better. I naturally press my stomach against my desk while sitting/typing/writing and that wasn't good for my boo boo's.. Moving around helps people heal faster anyway. So, I actually spent more time standing or walking around the office my first week back. You might be ok with standing and walking around, but definitely make them aware at work that you have had some sort of surgery and may need to rest. Remember you will still be healing so don't over do it. Everyone is different and you won't know what you'll be able to do until you get there. Good luck!

For your first week back could you pull service desk duty? And perhaps use a tall stool? Even it you had to supply it yourself? You know in Europe retail people dont stand at the register they sit!