Major surgery/3 week fit for work

[LizzieMacQueen]

As title. Major operation last Monday. 2 nights in hospital. Was given, on discharge, a fit for work note covering 3 weeks.

So I know I can get this extended but does this seem right to you? Seems a bit mean to me.

In all the reading material I've found, including the NHS stuff, up to 12 weeks is the normal recovery period.

I'm early 50, office based job, joint replacement.

It depends on the op, your recovery and the type of work. The only major op I have had has been a c-section. I would have been recovered enough to do a desk job three weeks afterwards. But I couldn't have done anything involving lifting or core strength. I had no infections and my recovery was relatively straightforward. Other people will have very different experiences.

I don't have much knowledge to sharet I'm afraid but my sister had major surgery at the begining of the year, she was in hospital for 4 days and signed off for 10 weeks so does seem a little short for you.

The hospital didn’t even give me a sicknote 😂😤 was in 5 days.

I had major surgery a couple of years back and expected recovery was 12 weeks off work. Despite this my note was for 6 weeks with the expectation that my GP would sign me off again for the remainder. Don't know why it was that way, everyone's expectation was that it would be fully 12 weeks off but it seemed like it was a standard procedure.

They expect you to see your gp to issue a continuing note.

'Up to 12 weeks' means just that. It might be 12 weeks but it might be less.

It just depends. Hopefully you will feel better very soon and will be able to go back to work quickly.

Why don't you see how you feel, if you have the option to extend? Sounds ok to me, my only experience/s of surgery is two c-sections and somehow I managed to look after the baby and a toddler by myself for whole days at a time less than a fortnight after the second one.

Could you work from home?

The hospital can't issue a note for that long, you're lucky they have you one for 3 weeks, that is very generous.
As others have said, you see your GP. If it's a joint replacement, 3 months off work is average.

It will depend on the surgery and your own personal recovery but the hospital will only cover you for a short period and then your gp has to cover the rest

Thanks for the advice all.

It didn't occur to me that the hospital might be restricted in how long they can sign off for. That would make sense.

Can't get a GP appointment until after this has run out (normal wait for appt is 2/3 weeks) but the lovely receptionist said it can all be done over the phone.

For those asking, my employer isn't that well set up for WFH, it's very small. But I can return in a phased way. So I'll see how I feel this time next week.

Mine refused to give me one as apparently I could self certify or see the GP. Got a 4 week note from the GP who was horrified. Annoying I took up an appointment though when the hospital should have just given me one.

Will you be having physio? It would be a good idea to ask their advice to.

What surgery was it OP? I had abdominal surgery a few weeks ago and only got a 2 week sick note, they said it was standard.

Though after 2 weeks I'm now WFH as my stitches still haven't healed.

Depends on the op I guess. I had a 5hr one and was signed off for 8 weeks as that was the minimum recovery time

@TrixieTheWhore
The OP says it's a joint replacement-presumably hip, knee ? Usually, you'd be off work for at least 3months-maybe up to 6, for this type of procedure.

As said above, could be hospital policy. I regularly do sick notes if patients request them but can only do up to 2 weeks. No idea if consultants can issue them for longer. We ask patients to see their GP for anything over 2 weeks so you're best doing that

Depends on the op and type of work. I had my appendix removed as an emergency on a Sunday and was back to work on light duties by the Tuesday. Normal duties by the next week.

My mum had a hip operation however and had to have 3 months as she works in a job where standing and lifting is necessary and she couldn’t drive for 6 weeks.

Oh I see! Yes of course, you should have more time off for that.

I'm sure if you go to the GP they'll give you a further note?

It was a knee replacement. 1st physio appointment is next Friday with 'sick note' expiring the following Monday. If I remember I'll update this thread with the outcome.

I'm not adverse to going back (only on SSP) as I'd be better off, just surprised that it was such a short time.

3 weeks then you go to your gp for extensions. Everyone is different, my friend was back at work within 3 weeks for knee replacement but his work paid for taxis because he couldn't use public transport, think he did half days for the first couple of days