Back to work timeframe

[CJ- 14]

Hi all,

Can you please share your experience with how soon you were able to get back to work and what type of work you do?
I’ve taken 2 weeks off but my job is occasionally physical. I work in a library so I sometimes have to push heavy trolleys and some of those cook books are ridiculously heavy haha! I’ve paid a lot of money and I don’t want to take any risks plus I obviously don’t want to be in any more pain.

[sabP 750]

Hey @CJ I returned to work at the 3 week mark, but my job does not include heavy lifting. Can you ask your manager to have lighter duties for a couple more weeks? You can say it's due to a short term medical condition. You can get your surgeon or gp to write a supportive med certificate without disclosing your BA xo

[CJ- 14]

Yeah @sabP that’s a great idea. I definitely feel more comfortable taking more time off to be on the safe side. Always better to be safe than sorry.

[I HaveBoobs 951]

Hey @CJ- i took 3 weeks off my job as a hairdresser as it involves lots of time (all day in fact ?) with my arms raised and lots of blowdrying , my first werk back i was a little sore and tender but every day got easier. I also took 8 weeks off from my PT and Aerobic instructor job as you can imagine it is very physical, i started back at the gym at 3 wpo with light cardio and at 1 mpo i started with some light bodyweight lower body exercises and by 6 wpo i had started lifting light weights with my upper body (all of which was cleared by my surgeon first) Please listen to your body if you try to push/ lift something heavey at work and it dos'nt feel good then ask for help and wait a few more days before you try again.

[CJ- 14]

Hey @I HaveBoobs thank you for sharing. I should have scheduled 3 weeks off. Had my first shift back today. Was only a half day but I wish I had stayed home :( had to run for the train, work was really busy and I was on my feet all day. The trolleys weren’t as heavy as I’ve had in the past but I’m definitely not anywhere near ready for the work I’m supposed to do. I took half a muscle relaxer tablet before I left home for work and spent the whole day so groggy and yawning. I can’t believe how even just half the small tablet made me so tired.
I’m going to a gp tomorrow and going to see if I can get a note for more time off.

[I HaveBoobs 951]

On 11/10/2023 at 5:58 PM, CJ- said:

Hey @I HaveBoobs thank you for sharing. I should have scheduled 3 weeks off. Had my first shift back today. Was only a half day but I wish I had stayed home had to run for the train, work was really busy and I was on my feet all day. The trolleys weren’t as heavy as I’ve had in the past but I’m definitely not anywhere near ready for the work I’m supposed to do. I took half a muscle relaxer tablet before I left home for work and spent the whole day so groggy and yawning. I can’t believe how even just half the small tablet made me so tired.
I’m going to a gp tomorrow and going to see if I can get a note for more time off.

That sounds like a good idea, if your not feeling up to it then taking a little extra time off would be beneficial, best not to over do it so soon after surgery and remember when you do go back to work fully to take it easy for a good week and ease yourself in gently.