I'm pre-op, but have a post-op question...my job? - ThinnerTimes

CeeCee · 12-15-2006, 04:10 PM

K- No date yet, but I have good insurance, 3 co-morbidities, and the surgeon thought I would be ready after the first of the year. So far, so good.
For my big sisters and brothers who have gone before me(weird-that's how I've started thinking of you): First- half or more of you are a lot younger than me, so have a little pity! Second- I have a job I really like (True!!!) I am in the middle of a big project- also enjoying that, also very high profile. This project has a (supposed) deadline of 3/9/07. I could conceivably have surgery, oh, maybe end of Jan. My co. has given me a laptop so I can work at home or on the road. Here is the nub: How soon after surgery will I feel like spending an hour or two on the computer? Is it unrealistic to say that with a tail-wind and God's grace I can poke at my keyboard maybe a week after? For an hour or two at a time? Or in a day? I am trying to decide whether to schedule surgery around the project, or take care of me, as the ones higher up the foodchain insist I do. This is what I am agonizing over! Sorry this is sooooo long!

chilmoe · 12-15-2006, 04:24 PM

as everyone heals at their own pace and you may or may not have other complications, so it is hard to say, however, i felt up to driving the 5 hourish drive home on day 6 from the hospital, alone.

i work outside the home and so started back once the drain tube and staples came out, at the two week mark, had i been able to work from home, i definitely could have started back an hour or two or three a day at the one week mark, but again, its hard to know for you

Gina in NY · 12-15-2006, 07:25 PM

When you are ready, you want surgery today, but I waited 3 months for the school year to end (I arranged everything around it) so that I wouldn't miss any big projects at work and would have some time to recover.

It is up to you, but if you do have a hard time, complications etc., you may make it too hard for yourself. You don't want to be unable to do the project, you know? Just wait till March 10th - my humble opinion. Two months won't make or break you.

Just my humble opinion..

ladytonya · 12-15-2006, 09:05 PM

I had surgery Monday and could have been on the computer for an hour or two at a time probably Wednesday. Tuesday, I pretty much slept most of the day. Wednesday I was feeling much better and I was released from the hospital on Thursday. Yesterday and today, I have been to WalMart, Lowe's, Sams, walking around the hotel, playing video games, and on the computer doing a few things that I needed to do for church.

As other's have said, it's an individual thing, but that might be a question to ask your doctor. My drain was removed before I was discharged. My staples will come out Monday at my one-week followup appointment, but as long as you have a desk job that doesn't involve any lifting or much movement. Anyway, my advice would be to ask your doctor.

cnvh · 12-15-2006, 09:08 PM

Heck, I was on my computer for an hour or more, the day I got HOME from the hospital, which was 2 days after surgery. As long as you have a bottle of water and a comfy chair, why not?

With that being said though, that's BEST-CASE SCENARIO. If you have some sort of complication, it could potentially be days or weeks until you even SEE your laptop.

Unless you have health complications which absolutely necessitate having surgery NOW, I would also suggest waiting until after the project is done-- with your employer understanding that you are not to be assigned any projects until you are post-op and back to work, so you have nothing to stress you out while you're trying to recover.

AlabamaChick · 12-15-2006, 10:36 PM

I work at home as a medical transcriptionist and I was back pecking away within the week, BUTTTTTT I wasnt back full force for about 2 to 3 weeks. I just couldn't keep up the pace. I was so drained and tired feeling. I napped alot, but as long as it's not something you have to work at for 8 hours a day, I would think you should be okay, barring any complications.

Duckie · 12-17-2006, 06:57 AM

I agree with Gina. You don't want to put your job/project at risk. Wait until the project is done. That way you won't be all stressed out while trying to recover from major surgery. Stress can hamper healing. There is always that possibility of complications or like me you were exhausted for 2+ weeks after surgery. Do your body some good. Wait.

Mavisavis · 12-17-2006, 08:23 AM

Yep, project first, as you never know exactly how you will feel or if any complications will arise. For me, I was able to pc right after coming home (2 days).....by one week I was back out at Karaoke and carousing with the BF.

LyndasRoom · 12-17-2006, 11:16 AM

I definitely agree! Get the project out of the way first...then you can go into surgery with the knowledge that you don't have anything pressing to get back to other than the healing process. That said, I was back at work after 2 weeks. It was fine, but I was tired by the end of the day...very tired.

Lori P · 12-17-2006, 03:21 PM

hehehehe I'm sure I'll be on the computer the day I get home from the hospital. I have a laptop with wireless connection.... soooooooo..... hehehe I can lay in bed with my puter and do things. YAY!!!!

Lori