HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Time off work?

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/20/2011 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I am not saying the doctor will even offer the TC but at this point it is what I want. I know the recovery will be hard and the surgery has risks but I am finally at that point that something has to be done. I can't keep living like this. Anyway, to my question

How long were you off of work and what type of work do you do?

Posted 4/20/2011 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
I was off of work for 8 weeks. I then had a complication with my abdominal incision after being back for a week and had to miss another week... so altogether I missed 9 weeks related to surgery. In September I had missed 3 additional weeks due to the severe UC flare that led me to want surgery. I was very happy that my employer was so understanding about everything.

I am a education park ranger (lead nature hikes and programs for school groups and the public). I was able to get out on the trails right away, though I took it easy and didn't lift anything. My coworkers were wonderful at helping me carry things or doing the programs that were more strenuous for a little while. Now that I am about 5 months post-op, I am back to doing all my regular duties. My ostomy has caused me zero problems at work.
Posted 4/20/2011 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I work with kids with special needs. Due to being off so long I resigned. I went back after 6 weeks to sub. A couple times the kids would hug me a little too hard or hit me, but I was fine. I will start subbing on Monday again (3 weeks after take down for j-pouch). I went to visit the kids on a field trip and was hit at my wound site...yep it hurt. I think I'll stay away from that class for awhile.
Posted 4/20/2011 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
I'm a laborer and have been out for 10 months now. They have dropped my insurance so I don't even think I have a job when I am healed. I'm also not even sure if I went back that I could lift 150-200lbs on a daily basis now that I have a stoma.
Posted 4/20/2011 9:33 AM (GMT 0)

I was out for 5 weeks. The hardest part of my recovery was letting my rectum heal and gaining weight and muscle, since my abdominal incisions were laproscopic and tiny. At the time I had my surgery I was a dancer at Disney World, so I really needed to be 100% to return. If I had had a desk job I would have gone back sooner.

I was 28 when I had my surgery. You are young too so that will help you heal faster.

Posted 4/20/2011 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
i was at the hospital for 18 days and 6 more weeks before i got back to work. i could have gone back 2 weeks earlier, but b/c it was the hollidays, i stayed more. i have a desk job.
Posted 4/20/2011 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
Disney

When you teach or sub........can you maybe have one of those Ostomy Armour things and wear loose fitting tops???  Protecting that area is paramount but kids are so quick I can see where it would be very tough to be able to avoid those situations.

Posted 4/20/2011 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
I was off work for 3 weeks. My recovery was fairly swift. I manage a large business.

Sue
Posted 4/20/2011 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for all of the answers. I have a desk job, I work in Human Resources. I am really worried about the strain that being out of work so long would put on my family.
Posted 4/20/2011 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
All my surgeries have been open procedures so longer recovery time but due to scar tissue no option. My last surgery I was off for 8 weeks as had abcess, obstruction and 4 strictures so took fair old time to get it sorted. I work in an office environment and was lucky that have very good sick pay and good employers.

I have just gone back to work at beginning of April after having 4 1/2 months off from a bad CD flare which didn't result in surgery, mind you not a lot left to operate on now! I am currently on part days and will return to fulltime once energy and stamina levels normal so hopefully in few weeks. It does make a huge difference when you have an employer and boss that do all they can to ease you back into work when you've been off for a while. I know I am very lucky in that respect.
Posted 4/20/2011 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
UC wife...I am hoping that soon my wound will heal AND no kids will hit me (I don't mind the hugging, it doesn't hurt as much). I was hit 1-1/2 weeks out and things were still very sore then. Thanks for the idea. When I thought I was going to have the temp ileostomy for much longer , I was going to invest in one.
Posted 4/20/2011 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
For my proctocolectomy I didn't do much for 12 weeks...each day was better but it was a harder recovery than any of my others...but I was also 40!!

I could do office work at 3 weeks but worked from home. Since you work in HR is it at a desk? That would certainly make going back, as soon as your doc gives the okay, easier:)
Posted 4/20/2011 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a teacher (college) and I've been out for 8 weeks. I probably could go back officially now, but I'm waiting a few weeks until the semester is over, as someone else has been subbing for me for almost the whole semester, and there's no point. I am very lucky in that my school pays for our Family Medical Leave time (since faculty don't have sick days to accumulate). It is still hard for me to sit for a long time, as my butt wound is still healing. I have started doing some work, mostly from home, and I've been in twice.

I was a bit burned out on my job anyways....
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply