Hysterectomy-going back to work

[mycatunderstandsme]

I was wondering if anyone else has had this op and when they went back to work.

I had an abdominal hysterectomy[TAH BSO] 5 weeks ago and have a sick note for 6 weeks off.

I am recovering slowly but I have a fairly physical, busy and responsible job and there is no way I will be up to going back in a week.

I have seen my GP since the op and got the impression that he wouldn't be happy to sign me off for too much longer than the 6 weeks yet everyone I speak to seems to know someone that was off for way longer than that!

My concern is that I don't want to jeopardise my recovery by going back too soon and also that if I do go back I will be expected to carry out my job as before which I physically cannot do.

3 months is what Ive been told to expect. I work in a physical job and the dr my work sent me to said that 6 weeks is a ridiculous time scale.

I needed 9 weeks after a womb ablation which was only a day proceedure!

I had 6 weeks off and was still a bit tender but was fine. I don't think that 6 weeks is necessarily a 'ridiculous' time scale, more that it simply depends on the individual. It' a big op' but mine couldn't have been better in respect to the recovery.

My Consultant said that being back in to a routine and moving about more (at work/out and about) would help however, if you've got a physically demanding job then I would be inclined to be cautious. Is there anything that can be done to reduce the amount of physical work you have to do? Could you do half days?

It's not worth doing more than your body can cope with, there are plenty of stories on forums about the damage that people have done.

Have you got a 6 week check up app' with your Consultant ie it might be worth asking him/her for more guidance rather than your GP?

I had 9 weeks off after TAH in Feb this year. Initially my recovery felt very slow & I was still totally exhausted at 6 weeks post op.

However the recovery really did pick up in weeks 6-8 & the last week off or so I was pretty much feeling much better but grateful for a bit of extra time at home to just rest when I needed to.

At my 6 week check I was still advised no lifting or stretching for a further 6 weeks & did still get twinges if I overdid things.

Can you see another GP at your practice (female perhaps) who might be more sympathetic?

My check with the consultant is at 10 weeks unfortunately. There are less physical aspects to my job but everything involves using abdominal muscles. If I had an office job I could probably go back at 6 weeks but would have to take things slowly.

I do work part time but my days are next to each other so no chance to recover in between. When I go back to work I will be on my own covering other people with it being the school holidays so will need to be up to the job.

Once I am back I will be expected to work as before I'm afraid. I have an appointment next week and I'm pretty sure I will get at least another week from this particular gp so I will push for a bit longer and see what the outcome is!

Prior to the op I was told 6-8 weeks from the consultant but 12 weeks at the pre-op by the nurse so I'm not sure what is normal!

Tell, dont ask!, your GP you want signed off until you have seen your consultant. Tell him you're said here. You aren't fit and your job could cause more problems.

I've been of since November waiting for a hysterectomy, I phone the surgery and ask foor a continuation of a line. I don't need to speak to the Dr. Could you do that?

You are right Coco. I am not very assertive and worried that the GP will think I am lazy! I know this is silly by the way.

Just noticed your thread Coco-hope you aren't feeling too bad. I had 4 ovarian cysts, endo and fibroids and had a lot of pain and nerve pains down my legs etc prior to the op. Despite this I found it hard to decide whether to go ahead with the op as I was worried something would go wrong! That pressure feeling has gone now and I am confident that I will feel much better when it's all healed.

Unfortunately my first op was cancelled on the day[while at the hospital] and rebooked for the following week and I don't think the stress of that has helped my recovery!

I cant wait for my op! If they cancel on they day dear only knows what I'll be like.

I know what you mean about nerves, my right leg is almost completely numb. Im sick off phoning people and moaning :-)

Phone your dr and say "I want a line for blah blah weeks". Tell him if he has a problem with it to phone your consultant.Be assertive!
Good luck.