Is this an acceptable reason to be off work?

[Treebushtop]

I had a small surgical procedure a week ago on Friday. It has resulted in vaginal bleeding which was to be expected. It’s not a lot and I am ok but I feel absolutely utterly drained. I self certified for a week but I will soon need to get gp absence. I don’t feel I can go back yet as the bleeding is making me feel drained (just like a heavy period) but I also just feel exhausted and stressed with everything that’s been going on. I expect gp will sign off on it but does it look ridiculous? If I am honest had someone said this I would have thought for goodness sake get back to work! I’m worrying so much on top of everything else

Of course it is. Just keep in touch and go back when you can

'My procedure is taking longer to recover from than anticipated'.

I think if your response to someone else in this position was....for goodness sake get back to work....that would be really unkind and unnecessary.

Recovery from a surgical procedure is taking longer than expected. If you need more time off to feel for for work and your GP agrees, so be it. No one else's business really.

Fit for work that should have said.

You don't feel well enough to work therefore it is an acceptable reason

You are still recovering. Rush it and you'll just feel crappy for longer

Of course it is. You can't work.

We all recover differently. If you don’t feel well enough then you are not fit. As a general rule of thumb, the more rest the quicker the recovery so going back too soon could extend the recovery period.

I have had to call in sick for work for a couple of days due to very heavy period bleeding and pain that also made me feel incredibly exhausted and like I could hardly do anything.

I think if you feel like you're going to struggle to be productive and it might make your recovery take longer, then get the sick note. Don't be a martyr - take the time off that you need to make a full recovery from the procedure.

Exactly this, YANBU at all.

Of course it's reasonable. Don't be tempted to over share with work to try and justify it, it's nobody's business, a pps suggestion of "taking longer to recover from than expected" sounds fine.

You owe yourself kindness and you owe it to everyone to look after yourself x

I think it depends how you feel and what your working conditions are.

From what you are describing, I would probably request to work from home for the week, with some additional rest breaks, as opposed to take more time off. But that would be easy to accommodate for my manager, it might not be for you of course.

If you're doing a physical job or having to commute then you should definitely get more time off.

If you're not well enough for work then you don't go. It's a bit horrible to admit if this had been someone else you wouldnt have been sympathetic.

If you don’t feel fit for work then that’s your business and nobody else’s. Any surgical procedure can be a bit of a shock to the system and if you’re losing blood that’s making you feel exhausted then you should rest until you feel better otherwise you’ll take longer to recover.

People always stick their noses in when they have no understanding. I know it’s not the same surgery but I had to have both of my hips replaced and I heard that some of my colleagues were talking about how long I was off - I had 12 weeks for the first one and 14 for the second which was a harder surgery and tougher recovery, on my surgeon’s advice. It’s a major operation, and I was completely exhausted during the recoveries. I’d been unable to walk without crutches for 2 years before and had to get used to walking again without support - my muscles had not done well with lack of use! He told me it really takes a full year per hip for absolutely everything to be properly healed.

Just concentrate on yourself and your own recovery and bear in mind that everyone responds differently to procedures.

I think you're feeling guilty and unsure because you've admitted you'd judge someone else for doing what you want to do.

If you're not fit for work then a GP will sign you off, but maybe this is a good lesson on not judging other people for being off sick.

Thank you! I have never had a sick day with this company apart from when pregnant so I feel so worried. What will the gp say on the note though? Will they say bleeding etc? I know it’s silly but I feel embarrassed as have a much older male manager

The fit note will probably state something general like "post surgery recovery" or gynaecological issues"

@mum2jakie ok thank you

Hope you're on the mend soon!

I had a surgical procedure after my missed miscarriage back in 2019 and was signed off for a few weeks after as I didn't feel ready to go back to work. Doctor simply wrote on my note "gynae confidential".