When starting my journey and I met with my surgeon she told me I would be off 6-8 weeks because my job is very physically demanding and I work very long shifts with minimal breaks. When they filled out my short term disability paperwork they wrote to be off 4 weeks and said that they never told me 6-8 weeks. Well I am supposed to go to my surgeon's nurse appt on Monday which will be 4 weeks post op and she said she will clear me for work then because, "no one ever takes more than 4 weeks." I am still having issues with severe nausea/energy/etc and cannot really imagine going back to work next week. My question is can they really say that I am ok to return to work when I legitimately feel like I can't? My job is more than supportive and I can take as long as I need off and cannot return as light duty or restricted.

Assuming they're a reputable health care professional they wouldn't clear you to go back if you aren't physically ready.

Not sure what you do, but if possible it may actually help you to start back. I know getting back into my routine quickly was a huge boost for me and really helped me. Of course I have a desk job so while it isn't physically demanding, I do work a minimum of 18 hours every day with the only breaks being my commute (where I'm on conference calls the entire team), so I know about the long shifts with no breaks part.