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?

This x 1 zillion times…….

Id point out that the entire point of the fit note system is to relieve HR/Manager from trying to judge when it's the right time to come back to work.

Your doctor has given you 6 weeks because you need six weeks. When I had a hysterectomy I was signed off for 8 weeks. While I had mostly physically recovered by 6 weeks I felt tired much more quickly and still needed to rest more frequently. You’re also at heightened risk of causing yourself damage through stress and strains - picking up something too heavy, overdoing it while mowing the lawn, etc.

Even after you start to feel better your body is still busy knitting everything back together. It’s better to take a week too long than a week too short. Otherwise a proper recovery will just drag on for ages.

Everyone is different. I had a hysterectomy and felt terrible in the first week but then was fine by day 10 and went back to work gradually. Basing your return to work in week 1 is too soon. But you shouldn't be off sick if you're feeling better towards the end of the 6 weeks.

100% take your six weeks off.
You had a big surgery and you will need them, 100%. Consultants are really good in assessing how long it takes to heal.
Do not worry about HR.

Oh don’t get me wrong…. I 100% think you should take the 6 weeks off!! I would in your shoes and go back with a beautiful tan just to pee off HR 😂

This.100% the point.

@ZovI’m glad you asked as I totally didn’t get it either. But it’s actually a great saying!

Wow that is insane. That’s a major op. Friend a hernia op and had two weeks off.

Your surgeon or GP have said you're off for six weeks to recover. That's the end of the discussion as far as tour work are concerned until you're closer to going back, then you can discuss whether you need a phased return or adjustments.

I took 6 weeks off after a nasty hemorrhoidectomy last summer. Some people here went back the same week apparently - not a chance here. I was barely able to sit for five minutes at a time, lying on my side on my bed all day and hobbling to the loo with dreadful gory experiences in the bathroom for two weeks and near-collapsing with vasovagal reactions to pooping for a month. I couldn't be in the garden sunbathing, that's for sure - I wouldn't have managed the stairs for the loo each time! I sit all day in a sedentary job and still have a gel seat pad for my arse. It took me months to be comfortable siting for longer than an hour or so.

My work only knew I had colorectal surgery and it could be up to 12 weeks recovery time (per my surgeons advice) so they were delighted it was only 6 weeks 😂.

So fuck your work. Recover. This is much too important to your long term physical and mental health. Do whatever you need to do to get through this and they can fuck off.

You need to take the time and recover. Anything over 4 weeks is long term sickness in the NHS and you would be entitled to a discussion with Occ health and possibly a phased return to work. No idea whether you work for a large company or a small one - but don’t be guilt tripped into returning before you are sufficiently recovered.

That's appalling behaviour by HR. What a bloody cheek.
Your body needs to heal and rest. When you think you're ready for work, you'll probably need at least another week. Work is much more demanding than we realise - you need to (maybe) commute, and sit and concentrate for hours.
Good luck with the recovery 💐

@Phoneshop have you had the opportunity to speak with an occupational health practitioner? I know not all organisations have them in house but they should be able to access. I always thought referral to OH was the first step in managing you out but it really isn't, they're about protecting you and your wellbeing at work.