Still trying to decide what or when I tell people. Curious abut return to work experiences

I have a desk job and I work from home. I took 3 weeks off, but I wish I would have taken longer. I had (still have) quite a bit of diaphragm pain and discomfort. It was a couple of months before I could comfortably sit up straight for any length of time.

But, I'm diabetic and a slow healer. All the nerves and muscles are just taking their sweet time to heal. I also have a small hiatal hernia that they didn't see during my EGD or surgery - so this seems to be a new development. I think that may be causing my pain, but I'm not sure.

I had a desk job (retired now) and took three weeks off. If necessary, I could have gone back after two - but I appreciated that third week to sleep and get used to the food progression.

On 01/25/2023 at 08:35, catwoman7 said:

I had a desk job (retired now) and took three weeks off. If necessary, I could have gone back after two - but I appreciated that third week to sleep and get used to the food progression.

Any thoughts on going back part time to start? Were you able to check in on email and stay in touch prior to officially coming back

I work from home, surgery was Tuesday and I was back to work on Monday. Didn't really have much discomfort but was getting up every 30 min to walk to the farthest bathroom in my house or downstairs just to get moving, had the medicine cups lined up with water to keep the fluids coming. I didn't feel tired but I was not taking any pain killers after that Saturday so that could have been why. I did make sure to work 6 hours a day or take small breaks during the day just in case.

For my VSG surgery, I was recommended by my surgeon and dietician to take off at least 6-8 weeks minimum to get through all the stages of my post-op diet first. This is moreso for the "mental" aspect of it and to get used to sipping water throughout the day and not get dehydrated, etc. I had (and still have) an office job where I sit most of the day and do not lift. When I got a second surgery due to GERD (rny w/ hiatal hernia repair), I only took off about a week and a half. This is because I was already used to this way of eating and drinking prior, and my surgeon felt I was ready to return. At the end of the day, do whatever makes YOU feel most comfortable, and of course always discuss with your surgical team. If you feel you need more time, request it and take care of yourself.

I decided against telling anyone in my life other than my partner (for now). I have no energy for questions on my decision and journey and will decide later if I want to be open about it or not. My surgeon gave me a medical certificate that was general for work purposes.

I started a new contract 4 weeks after my surgery. I did struggle a bit because my BP was so low - had times I was very doughy in the head & would lose vision at times. (Always had a tendency to this so…) I had a long history working in this department & they were very understanding. They knew I had a surgery & was recovering so let me negotiate my hours a bit. Funny thing was my boss presumed I’d had a ‘female’ surgery & I didn’t say I didn’t. Some noticed the weight loss ((last worked there five months previously) but they linked it to the surgery too & me trying to be healthier. All very easy actually.

I split my work time between home and the office. I thought I’d be good to return a week after surgery but I took an additional day starting back full time 8 days after sleeve surgery without issue.