no you are not a wimp. everyone heals at a different rate. i was blessed..i went back to a busy job after 18 days and have not had a minutes problem. but lots of people do experience difficulties. take care of yourself first. rest and do what you need to do to get back on your feet. it wll take time.

You are not being a wimp at all. Going back to work was a huge deal to me. I went back after 9 weeks and it was really hard on me. I have been back for 3 weeks now and just this week I seem to be feeling better. Try to get as much protein & fluids in and make sure you are taking your vitamins. The other stuff will just have to wait until you are feeling better. Good luck and remember it does get better.

Hell no..you aren't a wimp!! I took the full 6 weeks off that my FMLA allowed... and needed every day of it. You can always go back part-time and have you paperwork adjusted. The sitting would have been tough on me too that soon.

I went back in two weeks and it's really hard. This was my first week and I barely made it. I sit all day too. I came home yesterday exhausted and went straight to bed. I hope it will be better next week for both of us. I'll pray for you. patty

Hey CaruTH,
I hate to hear you are having such a hard time. I'm at 6 weeks out. I've been back to work for 3 weeks. No pain and no fatigue. Are you still able to get in all your vitamins? I know your doc didn't want ya supplementing the protein, but I have a feeling that is gonna be a problem for ya. I've lost 67# so far and the more I lose the more energy I get. I contribute that to about 70grams of protein a day. How many are you getting a day????
Oh, I hope you do well. I'm with ya!
love ya,
krissy

I can't say with the working part, since I was taken out of work permanetly in 2006.........I miss it though.
I do know that I wouldn't have been ready to work for at least 6-8 weeks following my surgery. I did not bounce back quickly at all, I was dragged right out, tired and slow to heal.
So no your not a wimp............I never thought I would be, but after this surgery and knowing how long it took me to heal, I might have to rethink it, because it kicked my arse, but good.

I don't see a wimp. I see a courageous woman who is doing a great thing for herself.

I took off 4 weeks and when I did go back, I had to have a nap as soon as I got home. I believe that the sleep helped in my healing.

Chin up girl. You can do this.

Stop beating yourself up! I think we all go through hell the first part of this adventure we share. Thus, "what the hell have I done". Are you certain you have not come down with the flu?

I am 4 weeks post op and i went to see my company nurse last week she told me to get my doctor to sign me off for another 2 weeks at least then when i do return i will do a week of 4 hours then a week of 6 then 8 then 10 then back to 12 with no lifting or manual handling for at least 3 months

Ahhhh me little twinkle,
Getting back into the swing of things takes it right out of you.
my work were actually very good and allowed me to have a few half days and build up to full time.
They seem to forget now (4 months on) that things have changed. I might look good (NO I MEAN I LOOK FANTASIC) but their somedays I just feel like crap.

You will no doubt be having your bloods done real soon, that will show if your low on iron or anything... the important thing to do sweets is to get up and take a few minutes to yourself, try to eat something and be honest with your colleagues and bosses.
Your not being a whimp...not a bit...

You need to find something that will keep you energised...

Good luck twinkle

Buzz xxx

I go back tomorrow and am DREADING IT!! I have been out 4 weeks and probaqbly should have gone another 2. I did a full day of errands yesterday and by 7:30 last night I was dead on the couch!! OMG. I sit all day, too but I bet they're going to find me sleeping around 11:30. lol

Nobody going through this can call you a wimp! I will have to agree with others about it taking me several (many, many actually) weeks to feel strong again. In MY case I was anemic,a nd probably a bit low going into surgery, so after, it took me months, to raise it. I am actually still on 2 prescription iron caps. a day, jugging that around other meds , but over 10 months it is coming back, and am hoping it's back into a normal range finally. Most people I don't think have had that kind of delay, though it isn't uncommon, my surgeon told me.

All of that to say, I wasn't working at the time I had surgery. I have been working about 4 months, part time. I can honestly say I would NOT have been able to return to work before 4 months...at least, due to the low iron levels. I was exhausted and just drained all the time. BUt I've always run low iron levels, even before surgery, so I was prepared this could happen.

Maybe with an explanation from your surgeon, and conversation with the HR person/dept., you might be able to get a bit more time off to rest and heal.
Good luck.
Cindy

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. I was able to make it into work today but I do think I'm gonna leave early because as the day goes on I get completely exhausted. I'm gonna see if I can see my surgeon on Monday or Tuesday to talk about my exhaustion and about maybe going part time for a couple more weeks.

Good idea CaruTH. I am not sure how your FMLA works at your job but we have a clause that says my boss can allow additional FMLA time if warranted and she approves. If need be you may want to go have a heart to heart with your boss and at least keep her/him posted about your health and surgery. I was lucky that my boss went through this same surgery about 5 years ago so she knew I was trying to come back too soon and understood. She also knew that once I got through this rough part I would become a dynamo employee and she was sooo right! I have so much more energy now.
I hope things work out for you sweetie.