Asking to be signed off by dr for longer

[Barongreenback87]

I'm due to have an op soon. My last op I was signed off for 2 weeks. This is the same type of op but a little bit more complicated. I want to be off for 4 weeks to recover, not 2. But feel guilty asking for more time.

Thoughts ?

How do you know you'll need 4? Surely they'll sign you off for the anticipated recovery time and if you need more when you edge closer to the date it gets extended

you can ask but I warn you they might say no. Hopefully they’ll be kinder if you explain last time it took 4 weeks to recover. I remember ages ago going to see my gp two weeks after a knee op still on crutches to ask for a further sick note and he refused. He properly shouted at me and said he’d had the same operation and was back at work two weeks after. I was only young and didn’t say anything, these days I’d frostily point out that everyone recovers differently! I was still in agony!

I think most doctors would be fine so hopefully you won’t have an issue.

I agree with this. You don't know in advance how long you'll need to be off for. If you do need more than two weeks then ask when it comes to it.

@ForLovingAquaSheep I don't know. But last time I felt i needed longer and this op is more involved than the first. I want sufficient time off to recover physically and mentally. This op is after having found cancer after the first op. I've since had a mini breakdown but picked myself up and somehow carried on, still looking after others/putting others first/putting myself last.

Once you've been off for 2 weeks contact your doctor to ask for a Fit note for another 2 weeks off work as you don't feel ready to return to work (if you don't). I'm sure they will do that with no hesitation after a significant operation.

Never feel guilty at putting your health first. If you feel you'll need the extra time then ask for it. It may be that the hospital have a blanket 2 week policy but if you're not ready to return at that point then your GP can sign you off longer.

Might be worth speaking with occupational health about a phased return so you go back to work slowly, or any reasonable adjustments you might need.

Hope all goes well

Always put your health first.

The hospital will sign you off according to what they think the recovery period is likely to last.

But if you still don't feel well after that, ask the consultant if you have any follow up checks up with them or your GP to extend it.

If you are having both mental health issues and physical ones of course don't hesitate to take more time to deal with all of this.

Have the two weeks, and then if you need more, ask for another two weeks, rather than asking for four upfront.