How long to wait before going back to work?

I'm trying to plan out the next few months with my employer and I'm looking for answers from those that have gone through either the Nissen or Hill surgery for GERD.

From my other posts some of you may know that I work at sea for a living. I spend usually one to two months at a time away from home at sea onboard a vessel. Depending on the Vessel's schedule I usually fly overseas to meet the Vessel and then sometimes we work in the same general area and sometimes we transit large distances (i.e. from Europe to South America). While at work I could be called upon to perform lifting, squatting, balancing myself while on a moving vessel, etc.

Needless to say urgent medical care is not close in the even something happens.

I would like an honest opinion of those that have gone through with the surgery how long I should stay home from work? The Surgeons say I should be good to go in 4 - 6 weeks and that its for the most part has healed enough. I'm sure medically its may be healed but would I really be ready to go back to being away from home at sea 24/7 for a month or two straight just after 6 weeks?

As always thanks everyone for your help!

opnwhl4 said...
Well being a Navy vet and working the flight deck I can give you some good input here.

I would realistically wait about 8 weeks before returning to the ship. I was working as a maintenance mechanic and auto mechanic when I had mine done. The squatting and lifting/twisting will be tough for a while and I had to take 8 weeks before I was able to be 100% doing these things.
Even with a lap surgery the core muscles will need time to heal and just keeping your sea legs will put a strain on them. At the very least I would wait 6 weeks.
Even though your body may be healed enough at 4 to 6 weeks you will be low on strength and stamina from the lack of calories and the healing process itself.

Take care,
Bill

Bill, thanks for the honest and knowledgeable answer. Since you are so far the only one that I've spoken with that knows what its like to be onboard a ship do you believe working at sea after the surgery would lead to tearing the surgery apart over time? I had one doctor tell me I shouldn't lift more then 25lbs for the rest of my life.