Work after surgery

Hey all,

I have a question about returning to work after surgery. My dr. mentioned I could go to work the next day after surgery if I wanted. I want to take things slow as I'm sure I'll be very sore, so I'm taking five days off (six if you include Christmas) plus the weekend. My job is pretty sedentary (I'm an accounting supervisor), but I will have folders to carry back and forth. What experiences do you guys have with going back to work that soon? Did you feel motivated to work? Did you get much done? There's going to be a lot of work to catch up on when I get back and I want to feel well enough to get it all done.

Also, I'm wondering how driving to work (~ 32 mi. one way) will be. Will it physically hurt to drive? There's a back way I can take that has less traffic, which I plan to take. What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

8 Comments

Take your time

by faithman007 - 2007-12-13 02:12:21

After a week I went back to work, unfortunately my work only had one light duty job for me and it was 8hrs out in 32 degree weather. They put me on it again tonite, either I need to take whole six weeks to recover or quit, i dont know what to do. So take your time if you can.

Lifestyle adjustments

by gevans - 2007-12-13 09:12:38

Hi VB,

I agree with all the above points. Just don't reach overhead or stretch out to the side on the implant side or 4 to 6 weeks. Some people get too paranoid and wear a sling, but I found it really helps to not restrict the shoulder that much. My surgeon encouraged me to move the arm forward and back, and outwardly rotate the arm (with elbow at side) to prevent the shoulder "freezing up" during the device-seating process.

My soreness lasted two weeks until the incision swelling subsided, and I had to move the seatbelt off the site for the first 6 weeks. After that there is no sensitivity there whatsoever, in fact I wear a camelback and backpack with the strap directly over the device now.

Just keep a positive attitude about the situation and strive to live an "even better" life because of this procedure, not in spite of it.

Gary

Ditto

by dgknecht - 2007-12-13 10:12:37

all good comments......i had implant on thurs, went home
on friday and laid around all weekend then was back at work on monday.
the seatbelt was irritating/painful for several weeks. i did wear a sling for the first two weeks.
as others have said, everyone is different.

Be careful

by boatman50 - 2007-12-13 12:12:20

Ela-girl has some great points. You never know what can pop up after surgery, I never had vasal vagal syncope until after my pm was placed. Thats is still a problem after 17 months. Be very careful about your arm movements, a sudden jerk or reaching out could cause some problems with leads being pulled out, or stitches pulling. It easy to get comfortable and move without thinking about it. Remember its about 6 weeks before the docs say you cen have full movement again, and even then you have to ease into it! Best of luck to you,Boatman

My experience

by ela-girl - 2007-12-13 12:12:44

Well, I went back to work about 10 days after surgery. I'm a middle school teacher. I almost had a meltdown by 3rd hour. I needed more time. I felt so overwhelmed (part of it is just the nature of my work and all I have to do in a day and be careful of). So, I took another two weeks. I could have used even more time because I had some issues pop up but didn't have a choice but to go back after those two weeks. But everyone is different so...

You say you have to carry folders. Just remember that for the first 6-8 weeks you can't carry anything over 5-10 pounds. And you have to watch you arm on the pm side--no pulling, or stretching your arms toward your back or stretching the arm past the shoulders. This is to ensure the leads entrench into the heart wall.

As for driving...I had a stick shift and it physically hurt to drive it and I had to be able drive. I ended up trading it in for a new automatic. My present to myself. :) The seatbelt also was very uncomfortable to me--it took a year for it not to be a bother.

Just remember that you know your body and what's best for it--the trick is paying attention to it if you need to rest. It's okay to take some time to heal and adjust.

When is surgery? I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!

ela-girl

work

by vbilbrey - 2007-12-14 02:12:04

Thank you for all your comments. I have my surgery on Dec. 19. This will be my fourth pm; however it was 12 yrs ago that I had my last one put in and I was in high school then so I didn't have to worry about driving or going to work! :) I also had it on Dec. 19 back then so I was on Christmas break...

I just hope I feel okay enough to get the job done. Also only my boss knows I'm having surgery, but he doesn't know what for. So it'll be a little awkward asking help without explaining the whole situation. I know I'll have to face that when the time comes, though.

I do remember the seatbelt bothering me afterwards, but having it bother me while driving...that's a whole other issue.

Anyway, thank you all again. I've got to get to bed...

'Night.

work & recovery

by elfinbee - 2008-05-20 01:05:01

hello
its been amonth since i got mine. still in alot of pain. my doctor took me off for 2 months, and then 3 months of light duty. i work as a nursing assistant in a cancer ward. i know that i couldnt do my job right now. im unsure if i will ever be able to do it.
also i drive 45 mins to work before. the driving, the bumps in the road, the seatbelts,it all causes more pain.
i dont know if this is normal or not.
my cardiologist said i could return to work in one week. but the surgeon said 2 mos.
by the way i am new. i just signed up this morning and have been reading the messages, and they have been of great help. at least i know i am not the only one feeling like this.
thank you
helen


work

by cprater - 2008-05-20 10:05:36

Take as long as you need, My doc. told me the same
thing but they don't have the device I was sore for months
And when I was ready to get back to work couldn't. .Because I was A truck driver and it hurt to shift all the
time,and I lost my job because my DOT. medical card
expired and they wouldn't renew it .See the doctor who
put the device in told me that i couldn't drive anymore
but the doctor who recommended that i get the device
said that I could, So who's wrong or who's right? Oh
by the the way did I mention that the device fired off
repeatedly 3 days after I got it for no reason at all,It just malfuntioned " So take your time go back when your ready
don't rush it.

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