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Nissen Fundoplication - back to work

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Posted 11/7/2012 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone

Just a little question...

I'm have my Nissen Fundoplication op in 2 weeks time and I have told work I may be off for a while. They are asking how long i'm likely to be off work as they need to reallocate my accounts.

I work in an office and am sat down most of the day so I won't be doing any heavy lifting or anything like that.

How long was everybody else off from work?

Thanks in advance
Posted 11/7/2012 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I had 6 weeks off with my first Nissen and it looks like the same time with my second. I have what could be loosely termed an office based job but the work is very stressful and my days are 12 hrs minimum with a lot of customer interfacing. Given this and the driving time of 2 - 4 hrs per day and just have not had the energy to return earlier.

There are people who return earlier and you may find that you are one of those, it all depends on your job and recovery.
Posted 11/8/2012 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Kristy and welcome to the forum..

I am 63 years old and I had the Nissen 2 years ago this coming April. I have an office job also. I sit down the biggest part of the time. I was off work for a total of 18 days (weekends included). I went back and I was uncomfortable (around the waist, even elastic waist pants bothered the incisions) but I was not in pain. after the first week back I felt much better. My co-workers were great.. they helped me so that I didn't have to bend stoop or lift anything. I am blessed that I have the job I do.
Please let your body tell you when it is ready to go back to work. Mine told me to go for it and I did.. maybe 1/2 days would have been better the first week back, but I made it.. I work 8 hour days and I could not have come back any sooner than I did.
I do need to tell you that I would do this all again if necessary. It has given me my life back. And I have never been more blessed than I was the day I found this forum and made such wonderful friends..

Still looking for rainbows
Sandi smurf tongue turn wink wink turn tongue smurf
Posted 11/8/2012 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Kristy,
I had my surgery September 28th. I work in health care and my normal job requirements is to lift 50# ocasdionally and 25# frequently along with stair climbing. My doctor said j could go back in 2 weeks if I just sat down with minimal movement. Or return in 4 weeks with lifting 25# or less. So I did a graded return to work. I was completely off for 3 weeks, part-time 24hrs x 1week and full time week 5.
Some things to think about first 2 weeks I was on clear liquids for 2weeks so I was taking in less than 500 calories a day so I did not have the stamina do a lit if walking and taking deep breaths wad hard. So I was getting pretty light headed. I had to add protien water in week 3 to help me with energy. Once you ate moving around you burn calories quickly. I was very thankful my job let me do a graded return b/c that 4 week I was ready to home after 4.5 hours.
Bottom line is it depends on your job duties and energy levels. Just be wise with hour decision, you may get a little stir crazy at home but the end results is worth time off.
I hope this helps, I wish you well. This site is very helpful and the members are very supportive.
Kaye
Posted 11/8/2012 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your answers, i'll have to see how my body recovers.

I've had a look at other posts on this forum and everybody seems really nice and helpful. It's great having somebody to talk to who's knows what i'm going through as i sometimes think my family and friends think i'm overreacting (maybe im just paranoid).

I'm a little frightened of surgery but I know it will be worth it to get my life back.
Posted 11/8/2012 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
I too work in an office environment. I was only out for 1 week( Monday through Friday). I only worked for 4 hours first and second day back to work, I was a little fatigued. I was able to work full time after that. I have had no complications during my recovery period. Hope that you too have a complication free recovery.
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