How much time did you take off from work?

I am currently researching colorectal surgeons in my area. I plan to have a proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy. I also plan to use my short term disability benefit. I am 43 years old... How long do you recommend I take off from work? I have a job where I can potentially work from home for a few weeks. I just seem to be hearing a lot of differences in the recovery period for people. I am thinking 6-8 weeks. Thoughts? Thanks for your reply. Debbie

I was back to work at 8 weeks, though I still had some incision-related complications after that and missed some days here and there. I was still able to be at work through most of these complications. I had some lifting restrictions at work, but other than that went back full-time.

I was back after a little over 5 weeks. I too missed some days due to the pyoderma. I also had surgery again and had to miss another two weeks at the end of the year. Hopefully I don't have to miss any days at all this year - that's my goal.

7 weeks for me. I probably could've gone back in 6 weeks, but it was Christmas that week.