Just a quick question about recovery

Can anyone tell me how long you were out of work? When I went to the informational session they told me like 6-8 weeks and now they are telling me 4 weeks. I am a paramedic and am required to lift and carry at least 150 lbs alone and 300 with a partner. I work in a heavily populated area and can run upto 12 calls in 12 hours with little to no rest. I just want to make sure that I do not hurt myself by going back to soon and I don't to screw myself up with not having enough time off scheduled and not getting paid. Thanks for all assistance.

Back to a desk job in 4 weeks is no problem.  Back to the kind of work you're describing, I would think the full 8 weeks.  You'll be on lifting restriction for awhile.  And the kind of lifting you do in your job is a recipe for hernia.  You need to tell you doc specifically what kind of work you do, the physical nature of it, and get an answer from him/her.

I was back to work in a week, but I have a sit down desk job. If I were you I would plan for a full 8 weeks out of work.

I've got to agree with the others - given your line of work, you'll need the 8 weeks.  My surgeon told me to be very cautious about lifting due to the risk of hernia.  I was also very fatigued for a couple months after surgery. 

I was really tired going back aftre 4 weeks, I work in an office.  If I were you I would take the full 8 weeks, and check with your doctor, you may still not be able to lift that weight after 8 weeks, I would be really concerned about the lifting.

I have to agree with the others.  I'm in nursing and having my surgery on Monday and will be off work for a full 8 weeks, due to all the pushing, pulling and lifting of heavy weights.  Be safe take the full amount of time off you need, don't hurt yourself.