Asking for an extra week off after operation

[Chillijamntuna]

I had keyhole surgery last week and was due to be back in this coming Thursday& Friday but my wounds are absolute agony, sore and swollen and I’m sleeping for most of the day and night.
I can’t move easily without pain and if I project my voice, it hurts.
I have a Drs note which covers two weeks but I’m feeling really guilty and don’t know how to tell the head that I’m not going to be able to come in.
Do you think they will understand?
My brain is addled by pain-killers so I can’t stop thinking about it and it’s making me anxious. Should I email in or ring or both?
Thank you for reading.

Please don't feel guilty about having to have sufficient time off to recover from surgery. Your school will cope. Your health must come first.

The Drs note is for two weeks, because you need two weeks minimum.

Yes, I’m a nurse. Two weeks is standard - can I ask what you had removed? You don’t have to say but it would better inform my reply! - for a lot of keyhole surgery. It’s still a significant operation and you need the proper recovery time. I don’t about the best way of informing them (we have to call where I work) but definitely take the week!

Go back to the doctors and get a new sick note. If you are not well to go back to work, then you are not well. Don’t feel embaressed.

Don't feel guilty or anxious: teachers often feel like this if they need time off. Just remember - the classroom will continue to function just fine if you're there or not. It's the end of term and the kids will be fine.

Ring your head tonight and enjoy a lie-in tomorrow! Hope you feel better soon.

After I had my tonsils out, I took an extra 3 extra days off beyond my sick note and my school were absolutely fine. Won't make much difference at this point in the term, I'm sure.

If you are signed off you are signed off. I had keyhole surgery 6 weeks ago today. I was off 4 weeks and probably should have had a 5th.
If your wounds are that bad I would be going back to GP anyway to make sure you don't have an infection. Mine were pretty much healed after a week, but internally still very sore.
You risk making yourself a heck of a lot worse if you go back too soon.

Thanks all, I had my gallbladder removed and the hole in my belly button is agony as is the rest of my stomach area.
I’ll email in in the morning then call at first break.
Thank you

Email ahead to let them know and go back to your doctors for another note. Also see if you can get more pain killers/have a check up

I thought it might be your gall bladder! I’d actually say it’s probably one of the most painful laparoscopic planned procedures as they go and you will require a good few weeks to recover. You have been signed off for two weeks, take them! I’d recommend keeping up with regular painkillers for now. Are your stitches out yet?

I took 4 weeks after having my gallbladder out. It was far more painful than having my appendix out. Rest properly.

I'm confused

what is the date on the sick note?

You must take more time than that if you need it

I had 3 weeks off after the same op and half term was the week after so technically 4. I was still feeling sick at week 2 and in quite a bit of pain. Look after yourself op

I'm a teacher who had an op. Was meant to have 3 weeks off but ended up needing 5, plus half term after some complications. School were fine. I just emailed as I wasn't up to phone calls.

Thank you I emailed in today and the head was perfectly fine with it. I’m so relieved I did because today I ventured out for the first time since the operation and I now feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. I only went to a garden centre cafe but it was too much and I feel awful so two days of teaching wouldn’t have done me any good at all xx