I’ve done all of my pre-op stuff (I’ll be starting the diet on October 31), and my surgery date is scheduled for November 14.

I’ve been keeping my boss up-to-date on my appointments, and I’ve been saving all of my sick leave (currently up to 157.75 hours, with 0.25 hours of comp time, and 58 hours of annual leave).

I only expected at least two weeks off, and some change. When I call the hospital to make sure before I put the leave in the system, the nurse said that she would like me to take 4 weeks off!

Whoa! Not that I mind having 4 weeks away from some of the idiots that I encounter on a daily basis, but has anyone else been told that they need this much time off.

I know I don’t HAVE to take the whole 4 weeks off, but I’m so tempted.

The boss said that it would be totally ok, I just need to invoke the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) so I can use my annual leave and comp time with my sick leave.

Has anyone else had to use their FMLA as well? Or does anyone else have an experience like mine?

My doc recommended 6-8 weeks off. Im taking 8. All covered under STD

A little thread-jack: A friend of mine was out of work due to chicken pox. Her supervisor called to discuss the status of her STD. Friend got all upset and started explaining that chicken pox wasn't a sexually-transmitted disease.

Another reason to love short-term disability.