Demanding not to go back to work on monday

 I am 1 month post opt today I have major complications and finally got off my picc line today still vomit each time on solids so they have me on soft foods still.. My doctor was set on sending  me go back on Monday but I have been trying to get my body up in the morning a routine and now caused myself to have a fever and severe weakness .. My boss wants me back @ 100 percent no part time .. Being home is a huge financial strain on me and have used all my vacation but learning to put my health first in my life .. I remember pushing my body to the extreme to be normal 1.5 weeks after surgery and passed out in front of er and almost died I learned then to start listening to my body and see my body needs time to heal - how long did everyone take off of work? When did they start feeling normal 

I was allowed 6 weeks off on Medical Disability which means I got half pay while I was out. If I would have needed more time my Dr. would have done the paperwork granting me more time off but I was ready to go back at 6 weeks. I didn't start feeling like my old self until 5 weeks out.

Good luck and if you can get more time off then I hope you take it.

So sorry to hear about the complications that you've had to endure. I don't blame you for not wanting to return so soon. Can you apply for Short Term Disability...I think you only get like 70% of your pay, but that's better than nothing, and maybe that would allow you time to heal. I think most times STD is about 8 weeks, but I guess you don't have to take the whole thing if you didn't need it.

I think everyone is really different from one another concerning recovery time. I had my surgery on 8/27/2012, and I will be going back to work Sept 12th, so that's only two weeks. In actuality, I feel like I could have gone back this week, but I'm glad I have the rest of this week to work on my protein, vitamins, pureed foods, exercise. So I am 9 days Post op and feel pretty normal. I am also walking on my treadmill for 30 minutes each morning. I didn't have any complications, though. I think you should just do what you need to do for your speed of recovery/complications, etc. I know how work stress is, but you only have one life. I hope and pray they will have a heart and work out something for you until you are all better.

Take care :)

I didn't have the complications that you had for sure. I went back a little after 2 weeks. I didn't feel like 'normal' until closer to 4-5 weeks though.

My surgeon typically give "off work slips" for 60 days post op.  Getting used to hydration, finding tolerable foods, fatigue, etc.--most patients will have some difficult issues the first few weeks, even without complications that cause hospitalization. DAVE

I ended up being off about three months because I got very severe pneumonia after my RNY.  And I work part time from home, mostly sitting on my couch with my laptop.  Financially it was difficult, yes.  Of course, on top of not working, I had a ton of medical bills.  My hospital bill following the pneumonia was about $100,000 - that included almost a week in ICU.  Then there were additional bills for radiology, the pulmonologist, labs, other stuff.  It was very rough financially.

But the bottom line is you can only do what you can do.  If you're not well enough to go back, you're not well enough to go back.  It's one thing to go back even if you don't feel great and it's a little difficult.  It's another if you not capable of doing it.

If you qualify for fmla, your employer has to allow you to return part-time if that's what your Dr's excuse says. I've had people come back and work as few as 2 hrs per day. Good luck.
I went back to work at 2 weeks without a problem, but I didn't have any complications. My surgeon recommends taking off 4-8 weeks.

4 weeks - went on short term disability

 I didn't have any complications, went back to work at three weeks.  However, I was blessed to work somewhere where they don't mess around with FMLA and the documentation from the doctor.  I was allowed to do part-time if I chose when I came back but worked full-time that week anyway because the office was so busy.  I paid for it dearly, I had to go home the fourth week two days early because I became dehydrated to the point the nausea got to me too much.  Since I have recovered, continued to work but taking it easier.  

Try to get your boss to understand the limitations you have on your body right now.  She/He may not have known anyone whose had the surgery before and they may not be aware of what is happening still to your body now.  You are not eating much, your body is starving, you have incisions and you are still healing.  It's not so automatic like most surgeries today.  I think it's good to educate people on what we've been through.  I know some people don't want others to know, but the understanding needs ot be there, as well as the support.  The people you work with are the people you are with more than your own family, so they need to be onboard with you too.

It's about your right now, and that's okay.  Make them understand that. 

 In Texas the law works more for the employer than the employee. They don't have to let you work if you are on lite duty. Actually as a nurse there is NO LITE DUTY & they won't let you return untill you are at 100%. I returned at 3 weeks with no restrictions except lifting more than 10 #s for 4 weeks post op My boss is pretty cool & said "I'll play like I didn't see that, but you don't do any lifting until you're cleared".