Post surgery return to work
Hello ,
I had surgery for endo with Laparoscopy among 4 other procedures for infertility as well on 12th April - and also had post surgery complications and was told I could return on the 26th April to work.but not do too much lifting or over push myself for further 4 weeks . What would ur advice be on returning work as preschool educator in environment where we have Children that physical towards staff and I’m required to do a hour of cleaning one day a week like mopping,sweeping and vacuuming among other task .. should I return or take more time off ?
I hope your recovery is going well. Since everyone’s healing process is different, I think you should talk with your doctor about what’s safe for you to do and if it’s OK to go back to work within a couple of weeks. Personally, my doctors have all told me to take about 1 week off of work for endometriosis surgery, but I also don’t do any heavy lifting or anything physical for work, so that timeframe may be a lot easier for me than other folks. But I’d say it took me about 2 weeks before I felt comfortable lifting anything above 10 lbs.
But you know your body best! Listen to how you’re feeling and ask for more time off if you don’t feel ready to go back. Bring your doctor in on the conversation with your bosses, if necessary. Wishing you well! - Keri (advocate)
I was given 2 weeks of as it’s complicated procedures but my boss is pushing for me to return within a week on full duties of heavy lifting .even know I’m not healing quickly. Advice on how to explain to the boss who just doesn’t understand ?
I'm sorry to hear your boss is pushing you to return early. My best advice would be to get your doctor involved and to have them explain, in writing, why returning to work with full duties of heavy lifting isn't best for your recovery. I'm not sure if you live in the U.S., but under the Family and Medical Leave Act, your doctor can provide a medical certification explaining why you need time off for health reasons and why you might need time off from certain duties when you do return to work. Also, if your company has an HR department, I'd suggest bringing this up with them to ask about what your rights are in terms of taking time off to recover or if you have any additional sick days, PTO, or other time that can go toward your recovery. I know everyone's job benefits are different depending on where you work and which country you live in, so paid sick leave may not be available, but it's always good to check all your options and to go over your legal rights. And sometimes a letter from a doctor can go a long way to help bosses understand what's needed for recovery. - Keri (team member)
I live in Australia within a small company and yes i do have sick leave but boss doesn’t /refusing to let me use it .I’m seeing my surgeon and asking for a light duty certificate as I think it’s the only way she accept what I can and can’t do. I even had to orgained a medical certificate to get my follow up post surgery appointment day off.as she’s wasn’t going to let me have it. Just worried if I return to early,a simple kick,push,or large toys thrown at me by particler children would push me back to square one.
it should not be this difficult 🙁 I hate the workforce is just not understanding of not only what we go through on a daily basis but also our recovery period after a surgery as well. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I know it is not the extra stress you want or need while you recover. You have every right to be worried about going back too soon though. I think a letter or certificate or whatever you can get from your surgeon is definitely a great idea. Please keep us posted! -Kimberli (advocate)
Endo doesn’t seam to be recognised as actually illness to take time off work even when we have surgery. People who don’t have it ,just don’t understand the constant battle we suffer with. It’s a invisible Illness to the outside world but not defs not to us.
took the words right out of my mouth. I could not agree more with you. It angers me so much. I lost my job a few years back because they just did not understand and could not give me the support I needed. I get they had a business to run and other employees to take care of as well, but I too, needed support and to take care of me. So it didn't work out. Thankful now, that it didn't. But still. I really really hope and pray you get the letter from your surgeon and your work accepts it and gives you whatever else more you need during your recovery. Sending all the hugs and good thoughts I can still. Here if you need to keep chatting it out or just chat in general. <3 -Kimberli (advocate)
