I am 5 weeks post op and am suppose to go back to work on Monday. I totally don't feel ready. I am tired on and off all day and am struggling with being able to eat more than 2oz of any food combination. I can't imagine a 40 minute commute and a 8 1/2 hr work day as a nurse. Just wondering how long most people are out of work and if I'm being unreasonable to stay home longer.

I would extend it by another two weeks then reevaluate. Don’t push yourself.

If you can, try to take more time. If they make you go back or you have to go back, maybe speak with your surgeon and see if it's possible for them to write you a note for more desk work than patient work?

If you don't feel ready physically, don't force it. You just had major surgery.

I took three weeks off but probably could have gone back after two (although I got really tired in the afternoons for the first month or two). HOWEVER....I had a desk job. As a nurse, you're on your feet all day - so that makes a big difference.

1 hour ago, catwoman7 said:

I took three weeks off but probably could have gone back after two (although I got really tired in the afternoons for the first month or two). HOWEVER....I had a desk job. As a nurse, you're on your feet all day - so that makes a big difference.

Agree with Catwoman. I took three weeks off from a desk job just to ensure that I would be totally ready. However, I was able to have all of the protein shakes and other foods I needed at my desk and could eat and drink water on a very regular schedule. It would have been much more difficult in a job like yours.

By the way, Catwoman always has very sound advice!

Edited July 21, 20206 yr by Recidivist

I took 6 weeks off FMLA

I took 5 weeks off post surgery, and I have a desk job. I wanted to be back on "normal" foods before I was eating around other people again.

Take as much leave as you feel you need.

I took 1 week totally off work and worked from home the 2nd week. Went back to the office at week 3, which included a 1-hour commute (both ways) and a 9+ hour day. By that time, I was eating 2-3 ounces of pudding consistency food. I packed a lunch bag with a protein shake and 3 of those tiny "meals" so that I could eat more frequently. Once I was up to regular food, I always kept protein bars on hand, just in case.

That being said, I suffered from exhaustion for several weeks after surgery despite meeting all of my nutritional goals. It was the running joke in my household that every Thursday, you could count me out for family TV time because I'd just fall asleep as soon as my butt hit the chair.

Just a word of caution. My job is sedentary. If you are a floor nurse, you're likely on your feet most of the day. Having been a floor nurse in a previous lifetime, what is the likelihood of you being able to take regular nutrition/hydration breaks? Unless your job/employer can accommodate frequent rest periods/breaks, you may want to consider extending your leave until you are able to tolerate being on your feet and have a good grasp on how to incorporate your nutrition/hydration needs in your work environment.

18 hours ago, 4 me said:

I am 5 weeks post op and am suppose to go back to work on Monday. I totally don't feel ready. I am tired on and off all day and am struggling with being able to eat more than 2oz of any food combination. I can't imagine a 40 minute commute and a 8 1/2 hr work day as a nurse. Just wondering how long most people are out of work and if I'm being unreasonable to stay home longer.

I was off for 7 weeks and then was back at work for two weeks and went on disability and have been on disability for almost 4 months now. But mine is due to chronic dizziness that my doctor doesn't believe is caused by my surgery. I've just completed my physical therapy for the dizziness so next comes an MRI (which I'm not sure how that's going to work since I have a metal plate in my head... -_-").

Anyway, you know your body best. If your surgeon doesn't want to give you extra time off then ask your regular doctor and discuss how you're feeling with them. Nursing is a difficult profession and you're on your feet all day on top of that and essentially have to be in top shape and if you're not feeling like you can go back hopefully they can see where you're coming from! I hope everything works out for you!