Hi everyone, I just received approval from my insurance and have a surgery date in August. It's been a long process and I'm so excited to get to this point.

I've read about a lot of people trying to get back to work as soon as they can - two weeks or less. Did any of you take more time off, or wish that you would have?

I took almost all I was allowed. I was allowed 5 weeks short term disability (100% pay) But I only took 4, cuz I promised i'd work Memorial Day. Take all they will allow you to take. You need this time to take care of YOU! Relearn how to eat, get out and walk, figure out a menu, and what you can tolerate, and what you can't. You need to take this time for YOU. REALLY. These peep who went back so early missed out on some awesome ME time.

I took 2 1/2. Wish I had taken 3 1/2 to 4.

Looking back I wish I would have taken two weeks off. I only took one week due to not having vacation/sick time available to really take more time.

This does not apply to me since I am retired, but I have a small farm/huge garden/small orchard and I thought I would get right back out, but found that I needed a full month to feel good enough to work.

I'm hoping to get my surgery during the week of the 20th of July! I only have enough PTO and EIB for two weeks, I would have preferred to have taken at least a month off because I know I have to take care of me! I work as a CNA/Front desk HUC. I know my job doesn't require a whole lot of me, however I'm worried that some heavy lifting of baby formula is going to take a tole on me. I'll definitely keep you all posted on how my two weeks off go!

Did anyone apply for FMLA?

Edited June 27, 201511 yr by nataliearias

My surgery is July 29th and I'm planning to take a full six weeks off. I want to use the time to heal, but also fully concentrate on adjusting to a whole new way of life.

I took two weeks. It was just enough time for me. I work in an office, no heavy lifting.

I did use FMLA. I figured better safe than sorry. I had plenty of time, but if something did go wrong I wanted to have that in place and the clock having started at the beginning. Fortunately it all went fine and I was back to work as planned.

@@nataliearias YES TO THE FMLA!!!

I wanted 6 weeks off. My surgeon begrudgingly gave me 3. I work 12 hour night shifts in a busy NICU. Glad to not have burned through ALL my PTO but at 13 days out, my return date is coming fast and I barely have the energy to stay awake 12 hours straight let alone WORK! Hopefully I'll feel better in a week!

I work from home as a full time teleworker at my computer. I still took a week off. I was totally exhausted every day. The second week I ended up working 10 am to 4 pm and crashing around 4. The third week was a lot better and week four has been fine.

My husband took two weeks FMLA from his work and stayed home with me and waited on me hand and foot while I was recovering though. Without him it would have been much tougher. He did everything and took care of our 7 year old for those 2 weeks.

I'm a para-educator in a public school. I had surgery last July and had the summer off. Truthfully, I needed it, to get used to the eating. Physically I could have gone back after three weeks. I had a lot of fatigue early on.

I took 2.5 weeks and just returned today. I do wish I would have taken a bit longer as I am quite tired and still trying to figure out how to eat and drink. However, going to work did take my mind off of the frustrations of trying to get the right foods and adequate Water.... after think about only that for 2.5 weeks, I was ready to think about anything else lol

@@incredibleshrinkingnurse I too work in the NICU, I'm not an RN yet, but I'm worried about lifting heavy boxes or having trouble running around due to pain. Hopefully the pain only last a week (fingers crossed!!)

Edited July 3, 201511 yr by nataliearias

I found that the restriction on lifting (nothing over 10 pounds for six weeks) was my biggest challenge. I pulled it off ok, I just kept thinking about those very delicate tissues which had been cut and reconnected, and how easy it would be to rupture them, and how ticked my wife would be if I had to go back into surgery.... so I just hired strong 19 year olds to get my heavy lifting and major yard work done....