how long off work

I am new here. I have not had the surgery yet. I was wondering about the average time off work/general recovery. I am a school janitor. Have to lift small trash cans about 15-20 pounds at most. Can lift them with my other arm and use the left one for balance. I am afraid I might lose the job if I am off too long

7 Comments

varies

by Tracey_E - 2014-09-16 01:09:34

We are all different so there is no set amount of time. A lot depends on why you need it, also how long you've been sick, your surgeon, how quickly you heal. Most of us are back to our normal routine, just moving cautiously, within a week or two. Many of us find we are tired for a good month. I felt pretty good and went about what I had to do, but napped a lot.

In a perfect world, I'd say do it at the end of the week on a holiday weekend then take a full week off. That would give you closer to 2 weeks time off but only a week of work time. Can you go back part time if needed? Half days might be more manageable at first.

thanks for your reply

by EricWright - 2014-09-16 07:09:49

I was cardioverted in 2000 for af. Been taking flecainide 100's 2 times a day since. Has worked until about 6 months ago. Then af started on & off and pulse very low consistently. Dr wants to put in a pm so I will tolerate meds . Havent set a date yet but probably set it next week. Boss dont know yet. Dont know if part time would cancel insurance. Probably will ask for a desk job till healed enough to return to current job. They have a policy that cant come back to current job until 100% released. I'm kinda afraid of losing the job. Cant afford to be without the insurance.

talk to your boss

by Tracey_E - 2014-09-16 09:09:43

You need to have a conversation with your boss. If you can't go back until you are 100%, ask your dr about his policy because that could be up to 4 weeks. You didn't fill out your profile so I have no idea where you live, but insurance is for when you get sick and most states they can't just fire you first time you use it and take some time off. Is it a public school? Are you union? Does your insurance include short term disability? That kicks in when you are out longer than your sick leave allows. Truly, this is a minor surgery. Lots of people have more serious surgery and their jobs are not at risk. Just talk to your boss and find out what the policies are, what your options are.

Ask your dr if you can wait until winter break, most schools are closed 2-3 weeks then.

public school

by EricWright - 2014-09-16 11:09:12

Yeah. I already used all my sick time. My wife is disabled and had 4 operations this year. My boss isn't all that bad he will probably be ok with it. I'm just paranoid about it. I probably will be covered by the fmla. (Family medical leave act) just will be paid at 3/4 salary. I am glad to read here that this is considered a relatively minor surgery! When I was little it was considered debilitating. This is a really good site filled with lots of info!

FMLA

by boysmom - 2014-09-17 08:09:26

You cannot be denied FMLA under the law as long as your physician completes the necessary forms and you meet the criteria. Once approved for FMLA you cannot be terminated. You are permitted 12 weeks over a 12 month period and as long as you have been employed with the same company for 12 months and 1250 hours you should be covered. You could not use burnishes, floor stripping machines, etc for about 6 weeks or so as they will pull your arm. Mopping would also probably not be allowed. Maybe some sort of light duty could be arranged? I allow my associates light duty just to get them back to work.....

thank you. That's good to know.

by EricWright - 2014-09-17 11:09:57

I will try to get it done during christmas break. Thanks for the good replies

Depends

by Beckes76 - 2014-09-19 03:09:30

I had my surgery on a Wednesday and I was back to work on Tuesday....I did take it easy for about a month. My supervisor knew my limitations and I did just fine.

Becky

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