Gall Bladder op - how long off work

[Fatfreefaff]

I've moved to a new job recently within my organisation. Yesterday I got a call from the hospital saying they thought my gall bladder removal would be in around 6 weeks. I told my manager I might be off for up to two weeks and she said she would arrange a laptop with work systems on it so I could work at home. Is this realistic?

I was in hospital for a couple of days this summer on an anti biotic drip as my gall bladder became inflamed and I felt really ill for 2-3 weeks following that. I couldn't even read let alone work.

Are most people up and running in a day or so and why does the hospital say 2 weeks then?

[rosie1959]

I wasn't working when I had mine removed but I felt fine after the op just a little bruised and stiff This is on the presumption they can use key hole surgery

[Penfold007]

Obviously you and her need to be guided by your doctor but presuming you have a straightforward keyhole removal then she probably is realistic.

[FadedRed]

The usual time is 2-3 weeks depending on how well you recover and the physical nature of your work. Sedentary workers might be ok to do sitting down office type work faster two weeks, but people whose work requires them to be more active usually need another week to be fit enough to be back at work.

[FadedRed]

Not 'faster', should read 'after'.

[Fatfreefaff]

Thanks my work is mainly desk based or at least it can be immediately following. I have a relatively short journey to work - 20 minute tube ride and a five minute walk each end. I guess I will tell work a week then. I am just worried about feeling really ill like I was during the summer - but if my gall bladder is gone perhaps not.

[MrsRonBurgundy]

I had 4 weeks off, all the websites said 2 but I couldn't have gone back after 2. And I really wanted to because I only get SSP so I struggled a bit! Luckily my manager was understanding as she had the same op the year before and had about the same off.

[NeuNewNouveau]

I think a lot depends on your reaction to the anaesthetic. I was wiped out for s week with that then still in discomfort for another week.

It surprised me that I was out for 2-3 weeks pretty much. I am desk bases and work from home but certainly couldn't have dat with a laptop in the first week.

I would tell them two weeks. You are putting a lot of pressure on yourself if you say one week.

[furryleopard]

I took two weeks off but towards the back of the second week I probably could've worked, certainly a few hours from home anyway. I'm glad I took the full two weeks though, the physiotherapist reminded me that although keyhole it is basically still the same operation underneath and you need to give yourself time. I'm desk based at work.

[southeastastra]

i took two weeks off, it hurt to move about the first week and the second week still was sort, it take 6 weeks to full heal ime. you should have two weeks off with no work. dr should give you a cert. it seems mean and unrealistic to give you a laptop to catch up!

[Flumplet]

i had keyhole and was up and about next day back at work after 5. you should be fine as long as no complications to wah the second week.

[Wolpertinger]

If you are off sick you are off sick, not working from home.

The hospital will usually give you a note for two weeks - I was advised to take all of it even if I felt better! I did feel back to normal after about 7 days - but in those 7 days no way was I up to doing some emails at home.

You should warn her it will def be 2 weeks, she can't make you work from home when you have a sick note and if you feel back to normal you will be back sooner. However if there are complications it could easily be longer.

Definitely don't tell work one week. It won't be.

[Fatfreefaff]

Thank you for your comments and sharing your experiences. I will tell her two weeks and go back a little earlier if I can.

[DesertOrDessert]

I would say a week off doing nothing, and then maybe working from home the second week, if your recovered enough.
I went back 2 weeks after abdominal key hole surgery, and in reality shouldn't have. Someone who worked for me gad her gaul bladder removed, and got the GP to write a fit to work note, invalidating the Hospital sick note after 10 days, and had been grouting the bathroom before that!!!

[toptomatoes]

The hospital told me at least 2 weeks and I WFH on a laptop. I was surprised I needed it. I probably could have worked the last couple of days but was still in discomfort.

[bigbluebus]

DH went back after 10 days. He wasn't allowed to drive for 7-10 days and couldn't have got to work without the car. The GP had actually signed him off for 4 weeks which was completely OTT as Consultant had said 2. DH only took Paracetemol for 24 hrs after surgery and was fine after 48 hours - he just wasn't allowed to lift anything for 6 weeks but doing an office job was fine.