AIBU to take the full six weeks signed off after surgery?

[Phoneshop]

I’ve just had a surgery on my kidney and bladder. Before this I’ve been ill for about 5 months, on and off. The consultant that did the operation has given me a fit note for 6 weeks. When I gave it to HR they did start to ask a few questions about why I need so much time off as it now counts as long term sick leave.

Would you still take the time off? I feel guilty now. I’m 1 week in to my recovery and have a lot of pain especially as I currently have a catheter and a ureteric stent. They’re both very uncomfortable and impact my sleep.

Can this cause me to lose my job?

My point is that unlike family and friends, your job will replace you

They wont collapse

So take the time off you need because they will be fine without you

Its not really hard to understand my point tbh

You have had major surgery. No way should you be contemplating work.

Realistically they would be very unlike to manage you out on a capably basis. To do that they would have to show that you are unlike to get better enough to do the job, however the reason you are off is because of an operation that you had to get better to be able to perform the job.

Take the six weeks.

I would think they should do an occ health review and based on that they probably can’t have you back in anyway.
DH is off work at the moment and the works doctor won’t let him come back yet as they’ve changed some medication

I found it useful to give sceptical employers a dispassionate and detailed exposition of my symptoms. The idea is to do it absolutely without moaning or 'explaining' but not omitting one speck of gore, pus and excrement. Anything that calls for a long time off work is pretty gruesome, and they're desperate for you to go away before you've finished your weirdly objective horror story.

You can finish with a really helpful "Of course, I'll keep you up to speed with developments". They always say no, just go home and take care of yourself. Anything but more details!

I had to have this surgery it’s not been optional. I’ve waited 5 months for it and that was with me being an urgent case! I was on maternity leave before this which hasn’t helped but the timing is what it is. I spent most of my maternity leave extremely ill.

Which if you read my post to the end, you will see I have agreed and she should take the sick leave…

of course they will replace a dead person, not rocket science

ask about your stent, they shouldn’t be uncomfortable.

Take all the time you need to recover, work will cope.

Really? My consultant said most people are aware of them most of the time!

Noone is saying it is rocket science - i am saying that she should use that way of thinking to ensure shes taking care of herself

And I did read your post to the end. It was a short post - not rocket science 🙄

If your surgeon thinks you need that time, take it. Best wishes for your recovery.

Absolutely take the 6 weeks, you may need more. Nurse here who deals with surgical patients post surgery. It can take couple of months to feel back to “normal” plus you were unwell before. Takes a massive toll. Rest and build up gradually. Oh and check with your insurance company re driving too.

Well that’s been my experience, unless our consultants are just particularly good! Maybe it depends on the reasons, but won’t do any harm to check. I’d take the full time off anyway.

Take the time you need to recover
Hope DH has stepped up now

Take the time off. It took me just over 3 weeks to get back to work after an 8hr op but I didn’t have a catheter. You need rest

So you need to stay off while the stent is in. They are just trying to scare you. Ex civil servant here and emergency surgery so they’d be mad to try anything like that. Do you have email confirmation of that conversation? It could count against them as harassment.

If youre working in a phone shop, op, theyre notorious for bullying their workers. Dont you worry, they're still bound by the law and can't retaliate against you x

I don’t work in a phone shop lol I’m trying to name change as my surgery is quite niche and could identify me!

Stop picking at what the poster is saying. It's obvious what she meant and you're being a dick.

Op take the 6 weeks off. Your doctor thinks you need it.

I had a stent from my kidney to ureter, because I’d had a kidney stone damage it quite badly. Luckily didn’t need a catheter at home (I did in hospital though.) I was aware of the stent when I sat/lay in certain ways. I only had it in for a few months - about 15 years ago, so I can’t recall exactly. I was off work for about 4 months in total, as I was in and out of hospital a couple of times, and then recovery.

When I went back, my arsehole of a boss tried to take me through a capability hearing on stuff which hadn’t been done whilst I was off!

Unsurprisingly, I left soon after, as I’d been applying for jobs whilst I was off. That wasn’t the first of his vindictive behaviour.
For me, my union were brilliant, and super supportive. Dealt with HR, whilst they were Harrassing me, and came to a meeting with me, when they tried to say I wasn’t well enough to do the job any more, etc. (I was. Just not while I was actually signed off!) If you’re in a union, get in touch with them for support. If you’re not, join one. Believe me, this isn’t one-off behaviour from your boss/HR, from my experience. Good luck - and get well soon.

Oh okay 😄😄

Excellent tv show - terrible place to work so ive heard

Thank you x - all the best op

Did you have a uretic injury? I had ureter reconstruction and did not feel well enough for work until after I had my stent removed. The bladder spasms were not fun until it was removed.

Yes my ureter was cut in another surgery.