Time off work??

I'm just wondering.....
When you finally get approved for surgery does that count as a Dr's note kind of thin where you  cant get fired for time off. Do you qualify for state dissablity for the work you miss? or should I start stocking up the sick/ vacation time?
Thanks in advance for anyone who answers

If you go open  you might miss about 6 weeks, but lap, you should be able to return to work in 2 weeks. I could have returned in less then a week. I had surgery on wednesday, and could have went back to work on monday. But I have a very high pain level, so I don't count.

But the number one thing to remember, EVERYONE has a different when it comes to working. Your doctor should be able to give you something about how long you will be off and when you can return to work.

I would stock up on time, if it was me.

LL

It depends on your doctor.  I have Kaiser, but they paid UC Davis to do the surgery.  So, Kaiser is 4 weeks, and UC Davis is 6 weeks for Lap.  Yes you get state disability. 

Annabelle

I used all my sick and vacation----- I took 3 weeks---but honestly---(Shhhhhh!!!) I could have gone back in 2 weeks------ BUT it was nice to have the 3rd week to really have my routine together. I think disability doesn't kick in until you have missed a week ( SOmeone here will know that answer) My Dr. wrote a little note to my bosses.
Hope that helps!

Yes, you can collect from EDD for short term disability. Let you Hr. department/boss know of your surgery date as far out as possible so they may make accomodations. I was sheduled out for four weeks. I did not say what my surgery was for as to avoid office gossip. Eventually they'll figure it all out! You need the time off not just to recover but to also grasp the whole new eating thing. Most of this is a mental change.

My best to you!
Kim

I went to work after a week, I had lap surgery.  BUT the 2nd week I was really really tired so I ended up working 1/2 days and going home to rest, I just remember being really tired all the time.  But it passes :)

I had a lap rny and I was off work for a month and really felt that I needed that month, even though I felt great the last two weeks.  You can collect state disability and you can not get fired for taking the time off.  I told my HR department and my boss when I first made the decision to have my RNY done so that they were completely aware of what was happening.  I would save some sick and or vacation time because state disability only covers 55% of your salary, I had an additional short term disability policy, so that took me up to 66 2/3% and then I used PTO to cover the additional 33 1/3% so that I didn't have to go without full pay.  Talk to your HR manager now so that they can start doing research and provide you with any documents you may need.  I found that my HR manager wasn't really familiar with WLS and had to figure a lot of things out on the fly.  Good luck!!!

hey Heather!

Just to let yoou know, I would not advertise that you took the extra short term and your PTO $$.  According to SDI regulations, you needed to report that income so they could take it out of your SDI.  They have a formula they use to figure out how much is to be deducted.  If your HR department  told you it was correct to not report the income, they were entirely wrong!

Happy 2009!!!!!

Yes, you can get short term disability. And in most case can take about 6weeks off.
The thing you remember is that you are having major surgery and your gut re routed. You are also nutrition deprived for awhile which in my case had me very light headed and mood . But we are all different.

HUGS
JOY

Thank you everyone. I feel a little better now, and I will start saving vacation and sick time