I got the call last week that I had been approved and scheduled for surgery. I'm guessing it's the norm but I wasn't given an option of dates. By the time the office called me, they already had me schedule for June 16. It just occurred to me that in order to qualify or apply for any type of leave/disability you have to get it in 30 days prior to surgery. Obviously my surgery is less than 30 days away.

Initially I was going to do the 4-6 weeks that my Dr. suggests I recover for, then switched to, maybe ill be ok with just using a few days of vacation time then going back. Now I'm back to, I'm going to need more than 3 days to recover.

That being said, I'm wondering if I should reschedule for a later date?

Has anyone else filed for disability with a close surgery date?

it is usually possible to get leave, FMLA approved quicker if the doctor signs for it.

Last summer I had an urgently done hysterectomy and my paperwork was turned around in a week, just a few days before my surgery.

I'd try to get the paperwork in and see what needs to be done.

I would apply for FMLA and see if it's approved based on current schedule. Our Agency doesn't hold to the 30day notice.

Well i think it depends alot on what your occupation is . I am back to work full time exactly one week later so i just took vacation days. My job is mostly 97% sitting behind a computer in my own room in a Health Facility so i didn't really worry about it. Unless your job is moving around lifting or dangerous i dont think you need 4-6 weeks.. but who am i .. My experience hope it helps.

Oh Congratulations on your approval!

My biggest worry with not taking disability would be if there were complications. You could potentially lose your job if only took vacation and can't go back in time.

and that was my other concern....I had a C-section 2.5 yrs ago and after a week I developed a seroma (sp?) and my incision busted open..ugh sorry for tmi. But needless to say I do worry about complications now

My biggest worry with not taking disability would be if there were complications. You could potentially lose your job if only took vacation and can't go back in time.

I told my surgeon's office that I couldn't do it until June or July due to my work scheduling, and they worked with me to get a date that was better for me. Otherwise, I would have had surgery yesterday because that was their first choice for me. I had my doctor submit my FMLA paperwork about 3 weeks ago and it was approved within 2 days. Hope this works out for you!

I also put off my date to meet my scheduling needs. I met with my surgeon in October and pretty much hand-picked my date in December to coincide with Christmas break.

when I had my lap band, I applied for FMLA, and had the doctor give me a range just in case there were complications I didn't get dinged for unapproved absences. I'm probably going to do the same when and if I'm approved for the sleeve, and just use vacation days at first. I have it in my head that I'll be able to be back to work the following week since I telecommute and have a desk job, but I still want that FMLA buffer just in case.

Congrats on your approval and surgery date!