Average Time Off Work Post-Surgery?

Knowing that everyone's recovery is different, how long was your recovery time before returning to work after a fundoplication or fundoplication with hiatal hernia repair? I have a desk job, for the most part, but am trying to determine roughly how much time I'll need to take off work after my upcoming surgery.

Thoughts? How long before you returned to your job?

Thanks, LGSE. I appreciate your insight. I have scheduled one week off from work with the option for another week if needed. My surgery is in a bit less than 3 weeks. Based on what I've been hearing here, though, I'm wondering if I should anticipate a longer recovery...

I am two weeks into recovery after NF. I thought I would go back to work after three weeks but I think I am going to take the full four weeks my surgeon gave me. I still have nausea and some pain plus I haven't moved on from the liquid diet yet. I work with preschoolers and don't want to risk picking up a virus on top of recovery.

Thanks, Ringer and LGSE. It seems that it really does vary by person and his/her surgery recovery. I put in for two weeks off and will try to check email, etc. at some point during the second week so that I don't go stir crazy. I'll then try to return to work if I'm feeling up for it. I have a 1.5 hour drive each way, so I need to ensure that I can handle the drive and it's starts, stops and bumps as well as the time at work. I'm fortunate to work in health care so my team is very supportive, thank goodness. I hope I have a reasonable recovery time but will take it as it comes. This Friday is the big day... getting nervous!

Thank you, LGSE! I'll be on here frequently until Friday and will then check back in post-op. I've learned so much here and will surely continue to gain confidence and help from everything that is shared on this forum. It's so incredibly helpful.

Wow, SharonZ -- 2 months! It's nice to hear that pain was not an issue but the exhaustion must have been frustrating. I'll take your lead and the lead of others here and will try to take it slow. My work is hoping for me back within 2 weeks but, based on what I've read here, it may be a bit longer. As I've commented before, folks hear "laparoscopic" and think that the surgery is no big deal. Having your insides rearranged and sewn around is a big deal... and I'm sure it will all need time to heal.

Hi Sharon,

My surgeon didn't suggest a time off from work. He noted that everyone was different in their recovery. I need to press him further about this Friday morning when I see him for surgery. I guess I was so caught up in the surprise of the surgery recommendation and curious about the actual procedure that I forgot to ask about some of these necessary items. I did, however, receive a post-surgery diet and pre-surgery guide, so those are helpful.

I hope I have limited pain like you!

Thanks, Sharon. I'll be sure to walk, even if I don't feel like doing it. I wis mt hospital used robotics for this -- it makes sense that you'd avoid the gas pain experienced by most. My hospital uses robotics for other surgeries but not this one. At least I'm scheduled for my surgeon's first surgery of the.day... he should be on his game and not exhausted from a long day. It'll also keep me from being an anxious, nervous wreck all day!

CaliGal:

Good luck, and I'll be thinking about you! In addition to the anti-nausea medication in the IV, my doctor ordered a patch for behind my ear (people use on cruise ships). I wasn't nauseous at all, hopefully you'll only need to stay one night. I have to tell you again, best decision I ever made.

Sharon

My surgeon's advice was plan for 3 weeks and if you come back in two, then you are a hero. I do have an office job so I think I'm doing exactly that. I'm 5 days post op and thinking I might be able to go back in two but will figure that out then.

Sound advice, Ringer. I'm very early in my recovery (5 days) and can't imagine going back anytime soon. I took 2 weeks off but will take more if necessary. Currently, I'm still relying on pain meds and am having trouble getting up from my couch-bed for too long at any given time. A lot of chest/ab pain, pressure and discomfort. And, of course, being on a liquid diet, I have no long-term energy. Thanks to the folks here on the board, I'm finding it easier to give myself permission to go slow and take the time I need to heal.