Returning to work post surgery

[Bugsy73]

I had an emergency laparotomy mid December, so will be 6 weeks post op this weekend.
I generally feel loads better, eating normally, able to potter around the house and the supermarket etc, albeit not at my usual pace.
My sick note runs out on Sunday and despite feeling well in myself, I don't think I'm ready to go back. I am not office based and have quite a lot of driving and dealing with people (teenagers) face to face.
I had my OPA yesterday, which wasn't that helpful as told to go back when I felt I'd be able to manage. Which I know is the right advice but I just don't know when it will be.
Because I feel ok at home, I'm starting to feel like a bit of a skiver!
I am going to make a GP appt this week for advice but wondering if anyone had had similar and at what point in your recovery did you get completely back to normal?
Thanks

[MincePiesGetInMyBelly]

Can you arrange to do a phased return at all? Helps physically and mentally going back this way.

[London91]

@Bugsy73 generally I felt better after around 6 weeks, I still got a bit more tired than usual but no where near as bad as I did in the days following. Just take it easy and possibly review it weekly. You've had major surgery, so definitely don't rush back if you're still feeling unwell!

Hope you're feeling better soon.

[Bugsy73]

I think if I was just to go into the office I'd probably manage, especially on phased return (good idea!) but my role requires a fair amount of energy and concentration and I'm not sure I have it in me currently.
My wound hasn't healed terribly well either and I'm still seeing the nurse a couple of times a week because of that. But nobody can give me a timeframe of when it will be healed completely and I don't know if I should be back to work whilst its ongoing! On the other hand I can't stay off forever....

[MincePiesGetInMyBelly]

Sorry you're still feeling rough. Hope you feel better soon. I can't advise specifically as haven't had that type of surgery, but a phased return definitely helped me after a few months off with severe anxiety and depression after a traumatic family incident.

I literally started with as little as I felt up to, sometimes it was just about all I could manage to open my laptop or make a coffee...but I gradually became more able to cope.

The difficulty is that people then expect lots of you because you're 'back'.

If you still have healing wounds though it does sound like physically you're not well enough yet. Take it easy

[Bugsy73]

mincepies. Thank you

[alexdgr8]

what does the nurse who dresses the wound say.
if I were you I would stay off as long as poss, wounds that are not fully healed are vulnerable to infection, so I would avoid as much risk as poss.
infection esp to wounds can be severe.
good luck.

[Rupertpenrysmistress]

I think the timeline is difficult because 6 weeks is generally acceptable to return to work depending what exactly you do. Laparotomy is an open procedure so recovery is slower than laparoscopic surgery. That said you mention your wound is not healed. What did they say at your opa about that? It is hard physically going back to work so phased return may be useful.

Do you need further treatment or gas the condition been resolved?

[Rupertpenrysmistress]

has not gas!!

[Bugsy73]

I'm seeing the nurse on Thursday so I'll ask her then. She's been fab so far.
Regarding my outpatients appt, it was pretty brief and I wasn't really given the opportunity to ask any questions. Wasn't concerned about the wound though, told me it would heal but couldn't give a timeframe.

[London91]

Don't forget that it takes longer to heal internally, so even when your scar has healed up, you're still going to be tender.

[Bugsy73]

I've been signed off for another month, and then need a further GP review. I'll get back to work eventually