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I am just wondering how long would it take to go back to work after having surgery? I am a truck driver and I am thinking of having surgery. Whole colon removal
Returning to work
- Thread starter sodbuster19
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Probably 6 to 8 weeks (longer for any aspect that involves bending or lifting or any other strenuous activity). With driving, an important thing to keep in mind is that you may not be able to drive if you're taking pain-killers or any other med that can cause drowsiness. Plus there can always be complications which prolong recovery.
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Well, the kind of work I do is a bit physical and there is some lifting and strenuous activity as well. As for the meds and driving, I know about that, I have had to miss work in the past due to that.
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Probably a better idea to seek solid advice from your surgeon, a physiotherapist and an occupational health specialist.
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It will depend on a lot of factors, but it will be in the range of 4-8 weeks. I had a right hemi-colectomy as an open procedure. Following this, I was in ITU for 2 days and in hospital for a week in total. After about 2 1/2 weeks, I was able to resume working from home on a laptop and I returned to the office after 5 weeks, though I was in pretty good shape from about 3 1/2 weeks onward. My job obviously is not as strenuous as yours, so it will probably take you a bit longer, but I think my timescales are quite typical of someone having an open procedure. If it is done laparoscopically, you may be able to recover and return to work quicker.
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I have just finished my second day back at work following my surgery 6 weeks ago. I had open surgery, although this one had been a lot smoother than my last two.
I work in a very busy museum and tourist attraction so am on my feet and active all day. I'm thinking I might have gone back a bit too soon. I'll give it another couple of days and see how I feel, but I might ask to cut my hours down a little for a couple of weeks.
I work in a very busy museum and tourist attraction so am on my feet and active all day. I'm thinking I might have gone back a bit too soon. I'll give it another couple of days and see how I feel, but I might ask to cut my hours down a little for a couple of weeks.
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I can't imagine returning to active work that soon. But then my health isn't the best and I had some complications following my most major surgeries. It generally takes me at least 6 weeks, usually more, until I lose that flu-like feeling (that's the best way I can describe it). I think tiredness following surgery depends a lot upon the individual's previous health and fitness levels, and the pain level depends upon the type of surgery that's been done, but that flu-like feeling of shivers and nausea, which I believe comes from the anaesthetic, depends mainly on the duration and scale of the surgery, and with major surgery, even when laprascopic, I've found it doesn't leave me until around 8 weeks.
You must be a bit stronger than I am.
But don't push yourself too much.
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With my first surgery, which was 5 hours I had two months off work and then a phased return, so I did half days for a month.
With my second, I was off for three months, 6 weeks of which was spent in hospital as I had serious complications (internal bleeding, infected fluid collection, huge haematoma, wound needed packing, finally enterocutaneous fistula etc etc) There was no way I could have even considered going back so quickly.
This surgery, which was 3 1/2 hours, laparotomy = 20 cm incision, just wasn't as bad. I did push myself in hospital to walk up the corridor two or three times a day, and to sit out in my chair as much as possible which definitely helped.
I've had four surgeries in the last 15 months and have felt horrendous for so much of that time. Following this last surgery I have finally got rid of the final complication left from my second one that I feel almost released! I just want to seize the day!
I am quite good at working through pain. I've been told by my colleagues that I'm a bit of a machine/hardcore! Before my first surgery I was on liquids only for 10 weeks (which I stuck to religiously,) had urgent, basically water bowel movements 15 times a day, had fistulas going all over the place, including my bladder (which is grim btw), was having constant stomach cramps and getting on average 3 hours sleep a night (in between loo visits and stomach cramps!!) and I still went to work, because I felt like I was malingering if I wasn't there. Stupid I know, but that's how I felt.
I now know when to say, 'this is too much'! I don't do the heavy lifting, which is part of my job, and am sitting down more, so I'll be fine. Thank you all for your concern though, it's nice to have people looking out for you x
With my second, I was off for three months, 6 weeks of which was spent in hospital as I had serious complications (internal bleeding, infected fluid collection, huge haematoma, wound needed packing, finally enterocutaneous fistula etc etc) There was no way I could have even considered going back so quickly.
This surgery, which was 3 1/2 hours, laparotomy = 20 cm incision, just wasn't as bad. I did push myself in hospital to walk up the corridor two or three times a day, and to sit out in my chair as much as possible which definitely helped.
I've had four surgeries in the last 15 months and have felt horrendous for so much of that time. Following this last surgery I have finally got rid of the final complication left from my second one that I feel almost released! I just want to seize the day!
I am quite good at working through pain. I've been told by my colleagues that I'm a bit of a machine/hardcore! Before my first surgery I was on liquids only for 10 weeks (which I stuck to religiously,) had urgent, basically water bowel movements 15 times a day, had fistulas going all over the place, including my bladder (which is grim btw), was having constant stomach cramps and getting on average 3 hours sleep a night (in between loo visits and stomach cramps!!) and I still went to work, because I felt like I was malingering if I wasn't there. Stupid I know, but that's how I felt.
I now know when to say, 'this is too much'! I don't do the heavy lifting, which is part of my job, and am sitting down more, so I'll be fine. Thank you all for your concern though, it's nice to have people looking out for you
x
Any other way of avoiding them besides following the "rules" around lifting after surgery?
I had a couple from my appendicitis, but I waited the time required. My wonderful wife shoveled and snow blowed for the remainder of the season.
I had a couple from my appendicitis, but I waited the time required. My wonderful wife shoveled and snow blowed for the remainder of the season.
Your surgeon should tell you what to do and not do.Don't hesitate to ask your surgeon questions post-op.Be careful when you start feeling better.You may feel like you can do more,DON'T! One foolish move could take away weeks of progress.We all heal differently so be careful comparing yourself to others.Walking is good to do while recovering.If you truly want to recover,be honest with yourself.If you need help,ask.Hopefully others will add what I forgot.
Very important...thank your wife! Let her know,don't assume she knows you appreciate everything she does.This doesn't prevent incisinal hernias,but is good to do anyway.:smile:
