Would you do this? I feel weird about it but everyone is saying to take advantage

[Itsthebluecrayon]

I am due to have some minor ish surgery in May. I’ve been told recovery can take up to two weeks but a lot of people feel fine within 48 hours and back at work/usual tasks within a few days.

Obviously I’ve no idea how it will go until it gets to that point but having mentioned it to friends and family, everyone has said oh I hope you’ll make the most of taking some leave and have some time to yourself (or variations on this).

I don’t know if part of this is I’m a single parent so I haven’t had a ‘day off’ for over 2.5 years now (and toddler age child) or whether this would be the attitude generally. I haven’t had time off sick in several years and I have huge anxiety about it. I mentioned it to my mum (she’s not going to be impartial I guess!) and she said it’s obvious I am not well rested and I should think seriously about taking this opportunity in one go… taking multiple sick leave creates alerts whereas one following one event would not.

I have been really surprised by these comments and it’s made me think twice about rushing back in to work. What would you do? How long would you take?

I thought I would be back at work the few days following surgery but I ended up taking a week off and on reflection, I needed more time off as I was shattered! Exhaustion took me out. Take the time you need. You're entitled to the rest.

I had open heart surgery in March last year and my surgeon suggested I could go back to work in six weeks. I didn’t feel ready after six weeks, so rang my manager and he insisted I take another month off and then a phased return over the next few weeks.
i am so glad I took the extra time as I had good days and bad days and really needed that extra time.

Take the two weeks. I’ve just had surgery, the op was supposed to take 45mins/1hour and I was actually in there for almost 3hours! It was my first ever general anaesthetic, I was bloody terrified, and I have been surprised/humbled about how weak I feel afterwards.
I’m a very strong person and I have a big load to carry with caring responsibilities etc so I thought I could have a few days rest and be back to it. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t even walk faster than a snails pace! I’m feeling better now but being forced to rest has been so good for me.

Of course, this is totally dependent on the surgery you’re having but no surgery is ‘good’ surgery, it’s a procedure that will weaken your body and take time to heal, no matter how small. If you’re already run down and burnt out, take the time to recoup. Why shouldn’t you?
Prioritise your health OP and take this opportunity to build yourself back up in all aspects. I hope the surgery goes well and you have a smooth, restful two week recovery.

My rule is that I take exactly the amount of time it takes me to feel 100% back to normal + 1 day.

previously I used to go back as soon as I was feeling OK, then sometimes I’d find I wasn’t and needed to go off again, but since workplaces started doing this ‘2 occasions’ nonsense I changed to making sure I was fully fit first.

If it's general anaesthetic do take the two weeks if you can. I was signed off for two weeks after laparoscopy and thought I was fine after a week. Popped into work to pick something up and was shattered. After another week I was ok.

Getting over a hysterectomy is not taking the piss. No-one should worry about whether their colleagues are coping. Who fucking cares compared to your health?

I would not risk going back. I have done it and regretted. I would definitely not do it as a parent, let alone a single parent.

It can take a while to recover from a GA. Is it keyhole surgery like a laparoscopy? Can take longer than you think to recover. They really down play it in those pre op leaflets IMO.

Think of your long term wellbeing / health and priorities yourself for you and your kids.2 weeks off could be the difference between a smooth recovery and causing other issues. I had surgery last year with an anticipated 2wk recovery. It took me 6 weeks and a phased return and I still get pain now. There is nothing more importation health. Avoid viewing yourself as a productivity measure for work x

I’d take the 2 weeks off in the first instance and see how you feel. But yes, I’d take as much time as you need really.

I had an operation end of October (albeit a fairly major one) and the recovery period was suggested as 6 weeks. Here we are coming up to 3 months and I would definitely not say I’m recovered (I’ve left work anyway as my contract has come to an end, but I definitely wouldn’t be rushing back).

You may feel stir crazy, but yes, I’d take the time and look after yourself.

You’ll be signed off for two weeks as standard. Take it.

I really hope you are not managing other people, with this attitude. A human being who is having health issues, that hopefully will be rectified with surgery, from which she will definitely need a period of recovery, and yet you describe this person, in this scenario, as taking the piss? Shame on you.

See how you are after the first two weeks. If you feel ready to go back to work then do, otherwise more self care please

Your manager sounds like a fully functioning empathetic human being. Kudos to them.

After a surgery I was supposed to be off for 2 weeks but stupidly went back to work after a couple of days. I was in pain but managed it, then got an infection so had to take the next week off as was in agony.

So, do what your doc says, going back too early you will most likely have to take time off anyway. Xxx

Yes, I have also had keyhole surgery for gynae surgery and the recovery was tougher than expected. I had a phone call app with an ANP a few weeks after as my tummy was feeling tight and sore after feeling ok and I was given quite a stern talking to about how my body had been through something quite major (despite it being classed as minor) and I was probably trying to do too much, too soon. I wasn’t able to walk my dog or hoover for about 5weeks and had to remind myself of the internal healing that had to take place as well as the external wounds. I did go back to WFH at 2 weeks but if I was doing anything manual or had a long commute/walk from car park I would have stayed off longer.

If you actually read the post I was responding to, she says she will take the time off whether she needs it or not. If she needs it, she needs to take the time off. I'd she doesn't then she is taking the piss.

Maybe take the time to read before you jump in?

The surgeon will issue a doctors note and you will get preop advice. Why are you listening to family who aren’t the medical professionals?

Take the time you need without milking it.

Take two weeks

No point trying to be a hero

I’ve read all the comments, thanks. Of course she needs to take the time off. Have you lost all of your human empathy?? The woman you were making your comment about is having a fully hysterectomy - surgeons will be removing 2 of her organs, from her body. She’s obviously never had this procedure before and has been advised recovery is up to 12 weeks, which she probably will take. And absolutely she should take the maximum amount, given this life changing procedure, and it should be without any kind of judgment from anyone else, especially from an employer or fellow work colleagues. Ultimately, a person needs to put themselves first, when it comes to their health, not their employer. Seriously, with that attitude, stay away from managing people.

People always underestimate how much time they’ll need after an op. Sometime you can feel extremely fragile or drained even though not in pain.

be kind to yourself id go for 2/3 weeks minimum

Single parent here: take the two weeks. You won’t fully be resting if you have a child anyway . If you need more, then you’ll have to just play it by ear.

Where do you work? In my area a "period of sickness" is what counts, so whether it is one day or one month it is viewed the same way. In which case there is no need to rush back before you are ready because you won't be penalised for it.

Your health is more important than working Hun,if you go back to early what ever surgery your having it could make you more poorly if you start working too soon,then it will take longer to recover coz you could get an infection or something,please take this opportunity to take a break,I know you've a toddler and yes this is probably harder work than going to work as when I go to work I love the time away from home for a few hours,but your child needs mum fit and healthy so please take the full time off and recover properly,if you need some you time maybe ask your mum to have your child for a few hours every other day or something,your recovery is just as important as your operation Hun rose care of yourself xx