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A question for the "robotic" guys.

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Posted 11/4/2011 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
How long were you out of work after surgery?

I have a desk job, and have the ability to get up and stretch at any time.  the only prolonged sitting that I have to do is the commute to and from, which will be about 40 minutes each.  We also have a gym in the building, and I plan to walk on the treadmill twice a day.  (the first week is only 3 days, then thanksgiving)

I am having surgery on Thursday, and plan to take until the following monday (including surgery day... 11 days).  (the first week is only 3 days, then thanksgiving).

In your experience(s) is this too ambitious a plan?

Posted 11/4/2011 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
I also have a desk job. Since I can work remotely, my comp connected via VPN to offices, I started working again after 4-5 days to some extent. I started driving the day they took the catheter out (7 days post surgery) and if I wanted to would have been able to drive into the city and go into my office. I decided to stay home a few weeks and work from home. But desk at home or at work would have been the same thing. I just didn't want to see people in office at that stage.

I guess it also depends on the incontinence. I had told my boss prior to surgery that I wouldn't return to work until the incontinence was conquered. That was my mindset. Of course I didn't end up having that issue at all but still decided to stay home a while.

Your plan isn't ambitious at all unless you encounter some complications which I am sure you won't. I know plenty of folks who went back to work after a week or two.
Posted 11/4/2011 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
I worked the day after my surgery (home-office) but I seem to recollect a lot of napping, and of course the pads...lots of trips and changing pads. When those taper off you should be good to go.

Also my PT guy said to avoid sitting, implying laying or standing was better for recovery.

Try it and if you have to leave early at least you tried!

 

Posted 11/4/2011 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Had my surgery on a Thursday - took off the whole next week... Could have gone back sooner.
Posted 11/4/2011 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Guys, sounds like my plan is reasonable.
Posted 11/4/2011 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
You needed the other extreme, right? So there was me.

I was told before surgery to expect to wait at least seven weeks before resuming significant activity. Due to pain issues at night I was taking Lortabs, so could not drive anyway (constitues DUI in my state).

I was working increasing parts of each day via computer from home on Tuesday after a Thursday surgery, but with issues of an 8+ pad per day incontinence for months, and difficulty driving (more getting in and out of an SUV and sitting for long periods without soaking the seat than actually driving), it was over two months before I went back into the office.

Posted 11/4/2011 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
I had my surgery on a Wednesday, home Friday....home the following week until catheter removed that Friday.  Took three more days the following week, then worked for two days to finish the week.  Leaked like a sieve and had to wear a Depends AND a pad for a number of weeks...But, no one was the wiser.  As you're discovering, "your results may vary." 


Posted 11/4/2011 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
If you have a best case scenario recovery, I think it will be the doctor's OK to drive that will be the limiting factor. For me, getting the OK to drive was 10 days after surgery (although I felt good enough to drive as soon as the catheter was out on the 7th day).

Good luck!

Dan
Posted 11/4/2011 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Tenpin,

I did the same as davidg. I worked from home for a few weeks, though in reality, I probably could have gone back into the office after a week or so. Started driving as soon as the catheter was out (8 days post surgery). At the time, I was working in a dangerous part of the city, so I really couldn't take walks at lunch time. I used the time at home to go for good brisk daily walks.
Posted 11/5/2011 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
I started answering emails about week after the surgery. I was able to work from home so people did not even know I had it done. I managed to cover it well. At about 6 weeks, meetings were a bit of a problem. I wore pads and a diaper and went to the bathroom a lot. I even joked about it in the men's room after a meeting. Said in a very macho-like tone: " I gotta get this thing drilled out."
They still don't know - and I'm not telling.
Jeff
Posted 11/5/2011 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
I'm retired but I can say that if I was still working (I had a desk job) I could have gone back to work right after my catheter was removed. Of course I used a pad for three months before I became continent.
Posted 11/5/2011 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
My doctor let me take six weeks off because my work is often physical. I am glad he did because the wetness issue was madenning at first. Getting out of a chair, there's a squirting. Lifting something, "pish."  My point is that if you are well adjusted, unlike myself, you will probably just go along with the flow. When I exercise, walking or working out, I tend to get a little "soggy." It's all just part of the healing. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Mark 

 

Posted 11/5/2011 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
TenPin,
It simply isn't the same from one patient to another. I would say that I could have worked that soon after surgery, but I didn't have to so I took the time I needed to heal. I was between jobs (first time I wasn't working in 23 year at the time) But I could have if I wanted to. Still don't try to push things and ask your doctor when you follow up after the surgery. I work out of my home office so things are easy in that way for me. But that 40 minute drive is a different story.

Tony
Posted 11/5/2011 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Tenpin
My surgery was on a Thursday afternoon, discharged noon on Friday. I work from home, so I was back online Monday. Missed two days of work. Went to the office for half day that week with a leg bag. I've not told anyone at work abouth the PC or surgery - no need.

From what I understand from the ustoo guys, is not to sit for longer than 20 - 30 min at a time to guard against blood clots.

Erverything was not a breeze, but I would make the same decision again.

Best wishes, Rocky
Posted 11/5/2011 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
Tenpin - very glad to see you back
- wishing you all the best for your upcoming surgery -

-I am more of the cautious side - work out a plan with alternatives - creating a high ideal situation can get you depressed and stressed if things are not as ready for recovery as you planned.
Basic routine for open surgery is NO lifting of anything 10# or more ( the weight of a laptop) - do not recall what lifting restrictions are with da-vinci guys.

-You are going through surgery -your innards will have bits removed and sewn back - you will have a catheter to keep your urethra in place as the new connection to the bladder heals up.
-some doctors have the catheter in for 6 days - my doc has his patients keep them in for 3 weeks.

-once you are home and feel confident - start a walking programme - a bit more each day - you have no one to compete with - healing up should be your priority at that time.
-treadmills are a good source of exercise but do NOT use the incline - that will put stress on your innards and we want everything to heal in place -

-I hope I am not sounding too harsh - your posting sounded like you were eager to do laps around the hospital ward floor the same day after surgery.

again, wishing you all the best for the upcoming surgery - and here's to a successful and boring recovery.

Bronson
Posted 11/5/2011 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Tenpin,

I have a desk job, as well. My Uro said I could go back to work when the cath came out but suggested I take the time to heal and recommended five weeks before returning. I took the uros advice and it was the best thing that I did. It gave me time to take plenty of walks and get my continence under control. I returned to work without wearing pads. When I went back to work, I was fully rested and relaxed with a high energy level. I did do about a weeks work on and off during the period primarily answering emails from home. If I had to do it over, I would take the five weeks again. It also helped that I could go on short-term disability, supplemented by vacation time to receive full pay for the five weeks. smilewinkgrin
Posted 11/5/2011 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
My husband took off three weeks and then found he didn't have the energy to do full time. His role is about 60% in the office and 40% driving out to various sites to speak to teams and so inspections of sites (he project manages Surveyors).. So after three weeks he worked three days a week for a couple of weeks and then four days for a couple more then he was fully back in the job. My husband is a fit sport loving person but if you ask me I don't think he was back to his normal energy levels for about six months. He had absolutely no problems with incontinence.

So the point I am making is that everyone is different and although some people spring back very quickly, others take more time. I think my best advice would be to leave things a bit open so that you can go back when you are ready.

An
Posted 11/5/2011 11:29 AM (GMT 0)
I have been told that walking is great for recovery as it will help to strenghen the pelvic floor muscles and your plan sounds good to me. However no matter how good you feel, don't walk, other than around your house, with the catherter in. Walking at the excerise level will (may) irrate the urethra and bladder neck and this will start a war with the catheter. Good luck with your surgery and hope everything works after!
Posted 11/5/2011 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
The plan is fine, but it's also good to have a plan B.

I had my catheter out after a week. But had to have it put back in (well, not the same one :-) ), and so had it in another week. By that time it was Christmas Eve, so I didn't return to work until after New Years. Even then, it took a few days before I had the stamina to put in a full day.
Posted 11/5/2011 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
My office and business is in my office in the basement. I had surgery on a Wednesday and by the following Monday I was able to go down the stairs and do emails and phone calls from my office. The day after my catheter was out I drove to do a easy service call on a  machine. At 11 days I was working half days outside the office and by the 3 weeks when I was released by the doc to do anything I could, I was full time doing service, sales and installations of my water systems which weight 65 pounds. I will say for the first couple of months I found myself energy drained by 3 in the afternoon most days.  Good luck next week and we will see you on the other side with all of us.

Terry the water guy

Posted 11/6/2011 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
From the day I was released from the hospital, I started walking alternated with periods of rest. No problem going up and down the stairs and continued working from my home office. The catheter was out in six days and now I am going out driving and running errands. Just some fatigue.
Posted 11/6/2011 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
First step, get the catheter out. Then you may be able to plan your return to work. I had the snake for a week then a few urinary upsets for a couple of days. I work from home but had pretty bad incontinence issues, had a 10 day holiday in Australia booked at 3 weeks from surgery but it was wasted as I was too exhausted most of the time even when staying with friends.

Walking is fine once the catheter is out but I had such high expectations on myself I really set my progress back by not resting enough. Once I got home from holiday (at about 5 weeks post surgery) I collapsed into bed for several days and things rapidly improved. Continence rapidly started to improve, down to 2 pads a day at 6 weeks and fully continent at 11 weeks and lots of long walks.

Everyone is different but I wouldn't recommend any light duties until a week after catheter is out, just me.

Muz
Posted 11/7/2011 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone.

Yes, I am eager to get back to 'normalcy'. BUT ... I am aware that things may not go perfectly, Plan B is to take the three days pre thanksgiving and work form home (limited, but my boss has approved). then I get the four day T-Giving holiday as well.

On a side note: My brother and family is coming from out of town (T-giving was supposed to be at thier house this year, but since I wasn't traveling 6 hours, and they wanted to come see me). Our history has been that we stay in each others houses. He said "no worries, he and his wife will shop and cook for t-giving".... UM, 12 days post surgery, My son will be in from college (along with my other 2 younger ones), and Wife and I am supposed to entertain my brother, wife, and his two.

Sorry. ... I couldn't figure out how to say it, so my sister who lives 20 minutes away called brother, and offered up her house, even though she is spending t-giving with the other family this year. BTW, I am very close with my brother, but sometimes he just doesn't think.
Posted 11/7/2011 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
BTW...
I "PLAN" to be perfectly dry as soon as the catheter is removed.

and

I "PLAN" to be able to be long and strong within a month.


I also plan to hit the mega millions lottery this week, but If I don't, I'll manage, deal with it, and move on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted 11/7/2011 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Great luck to you come this Thursday...your approach to "planning" is perfect.  By the time Thanksgiving arrives you'll also have your pathology report, and if all goes well (meaning negative margins, nerve sparing, and so on) I'm sure you have more than the usual to be thankful for.

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