Need advice... Go back to work?

jason.2835
jason.2835 Member Posts: 337 Member
in Kidney Cancer #1

Hey, all,

So the doctor was pretty weird regarding my return to work.  Generally, with gallbladder surgery, they only tell you to take half a week to a week off of recovery.  However, my surgery was open and I have a 7.5 inch incision across my right upper abdomen.

Now, I DO feel better.  The last couple days I've been able to get around a lot more and I haven't been on painkillers at all this week.  However, the pain is obviously still there and the incision site is a little irritating when I have shirts rubbing against it for a long time.  

The doctor only gave me the restriction of not lifting anything over 15 lbs for a few more weeks.  As far as work, he is leaving it up to me.  So I guess I'm wondering if you guys think I'm crazy to go back on Monday after 23 days removed from an open surgery?  I work at a restaurant so it's fast paced and such, but I'm also the boss so I can temper my pace.

Any thoughts are appreciated.  Thanks!

- Jay 

 

Comments

  • Allochka
    Allochka Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #2
    Wow, hard to say. My

    Wow, hard to say. My boyfriend ( he is 35, just like you) started working exactly one month after his open surgery, and felt that he could have started even a bit earlier. But he has a desk job, no running around. So compared to him 23 days sound pretty normal. But everyone heals differently. If you are the boss, you can try and then have a longer break, if you feel that it is too soon. 

     Btw, he has some very small polyps in gallbladder. They are not dangerous if they don't grow bigger, so smth else to monitor. We are thinking about possible gallbladder removal after his Hep C is treated. In this case I'll definitely ask for your advise on life without gallbladder :-) 

     

  • jason.2835
    jason.2835 Member Posts: 337 Member
    #3
    Allochka said:

    Wow, hard to say. My

    Wow, hard to say. My boyfriend ( he is 35, just like you) started working exactly one month after his open surgery, and felt that he could have started even a bit earlier. But he has a desk job, no running around. So compared to him 23 days sound pretty normal. But everyone heals differently. If you are the boss, you can try and then have a longer break, if you feel that it is too soon. 

     Btw, he has some very small polyps in gallbladder. They are not dangerous if they don't grow bigger, so smth else to monitor. We are thinking about possible gallbladder removal after his Hep C is treated. In this case I'll definitely ask for your advise on life without gallbladder :-) 

     

    So far so good

    Allochka,

    In my case, my gallbladder was so bad that the doctor thought it wasn't really aiding in my digestion for some time, perhaps up to a year.  I had one big gallstone that wasn't in the bile duct but was blocking the neck of the gallbladder.  As it blocked it, it just killed the tissues of the bladder itself.  There was even some gangrene in the pathology report if you can believe it.  Fun, fun, fun.

    Over 90% of people who get GB removal get the laparoscopic version.  I was one of the few lucky 10%.  It's not actually a big deal.  As far as digestion, I haven't noticed any remarkable difference in my life, but it is still early.  I had a couple slices of pizza one time (just to see what would happen), but generally I've been taking it pretty easy and simply.  You will read some horror stories online from people who have had their GB removed... but the truth is that a vast majority of people return to normal diets.

    Hope that helps...

    -Jay 

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #4
    jason.2835 said:

    So far so good

    Allochka,

    In my case, my gallbladder was so bad that the doctor thought it wasn't really aiding in my digestion for some time, perhaps up to a year.  I had one big gallstone that wasn't in the bile duct but was blocking the neck of the gallbladder.  As it blocked it, it just killed the tissues of the bladder itself.  There was even some gangrene in the pathology report if you can believe it.  Fun, fun, fun.

    Over 90% of people who get GB removal get the laparoscopic version.  I was one of the few lucky 10%.  It's not actually a big deal.  As far as digestion, I haven't noticed any remarkable difference in my life, but it is still early.  I had a couple slices of pizza one time (just to see what would happen), but generally I've been taking it pretty easy and simply.  You will read some horror stories online from people who have had their GB removed... but the truth is that a vast majority of people return to normal diets.

    Hope that helps...

    -Jay 

    My thoughts,

    Jay,

    Your the boss. When you ready try it part time for the first week or two. Then decide.

     

    Icemantoo

  • Positive_Mental_Attitude
    Positive_Mental_Attitude Member Posts: 454
    #5
    It really depends on you. 

    It really depends on you.  Exactly 1 week after my partial open nephrectomy, I was asked to attend an important meeting for a client.  The drive was painful, and the meeting was bearable.  I think I waited a full three weeks before going back into the office.  But I have a desk job, which led to some discomfort sitting upright all day, as I felf more comfortable in a reclined position. 

  • Jojo61
    Jojo61 Member Posts: 1,309 Member
    #6
    Positive_Mental_Attitude said:

    It really depends on you. 

    It really depends on you.  Exactly 1 week after my partial open nephrectomy, I was asked to attend an important meeting for a client.  The drive was painful, and the meeting was bearable.  I think I waited a full three weeks before going back into the office.  But I have a desk job, which led to some discomfort sitting upright all day, as I felf more comfortable in a reclined position. 

    You are the best judge...but

    You are the best judge...but to go to soon could cause more damage and delay your healing. You will have to consider carefully....but if possible I would stay home a little longer.

     

  • Footstomper
    Footstomper Member Posts: 1,237 Member
    #7
    jason.2835 said:

    So far so good

    Allochka,

    In my case, my gallbladder was so bad that the doctor thought it wasn't really aiding in my digestion for some time, perhaps up to a year.  I had one big gallstone that wasn't in the bile duct but was blocking the neck of the gallbladder.  As it blocked it, it just killed the tissues of the bladder itself.  There was even some gangrene in the pathology report if you can believe it.  Fun, fun, fun.

    Over 90% of people who get GB removal get the laparoscopic version.  I was one of the few lucky 10%.  It's not actually a big deal.  As far as digestion, I haven't noticed any remarkable difference in my life, but it is still early.  I had a couple slices of pizza one time (just to see what would happen), but generally I've been taking it pretty easy and simply.  You will read some horror stories online from people who have had their GB removed... but the truth is that a vast majority of people return to normal diets.

    Hope that helps...

    -Jay 

    Depends

    On your relationship with your staff and how supportive they are. Might be best to return on an informal basis and maybe set yourself some loose targets for achieving work based goals.

    Better working than wasting, thats for sure

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    #8
    Jojo61 said:

    You are the best judge...but

    You are the best judge...but to go to soon could cause more damage and delay your healing. You will have to consider carefully....but if possible I would stay home a little longer.

     

    Jay, I would be careful. But

    Jay, I would be careful. But since you are the boss, you know the work load.

    I woudn't go back full force, but pace yourself, a few hours.. or so.

    I also would suggest getting that lumbar, velcro wrap you find in drug stores to wrap around your abdomen.

    I have used it for 2 surgeries and it really supports those sore, healing muscles and nerves.

    I also stick a block of dry ice inside to reduce any swelling or pain.

    Just a thought. It was a god-send for me.

     

    Good luck.. but DONT RUSH THIS!!

    Gentle hug, Jan

  • Allochka
    Allochka Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #9
    Jan4you said:

    Jay, I would be careful. But

    Jay, I would be careful. But since you are the boss, you know the work load.

    I woudn't go back full force, but pace yourself, a few hours.. or so.

    I also would suggest getting that lumbar, velcro wrap you find in drug stores to wrap around your abdomen.

    I have used it for 2 surgeries and it really supports those sore, healing muscles and nerves.

    I also stick a block of dry ice inside to reduce any swelling or pain.

    Just a thought. It was a god-send for me.

     

    Good luck.. but DONT RUSH THIS!!

    Gentle hug, Jan

    Thanks a lot for advise,

    Thanks a lot for advise, Jason! It does sound that the removal was really necessary. I have a friend with stones, she refuses to remove the gallbladder, I'll tell her now to think again... glad to hear that no difference for you.

    Good luck with healing and going back to work!

  • foroughsh
    foroughsh Member Posts: 779 Member
    #10
    I'm very happy you're feeling

    I'm very happy you're feeling better. I wouldn't push myself to do things which could bring more pain and longer recovery time. So if you feel comfortable at work then it's fine but please be careful and don't push yourself.

     

    Forough

  • butterfly wings
    butterfly wings Member Posts: 28
    #11
    Gallbladder

    Hey.

    I had my gallbladder removed with my kidney.  Before they found the kidney cancer my gp had said that the recovery from gallbladder surgery was 4 weeks and she would certify me for work for 4 weeks.  I thought it seemedon but don't forget your outsides may appear ok but it takes longer for our insides to heal.

     

    I'm eating as normal now.  I went out with friends last night....had chicken wings and a couple of bottles of beer....felt fine.  Didn't drink enough water and my restless legs were killing me...but  gallbladder was fine

  • jason.2835
    jason.2835 Member Posts: 337 Member
    #12
    Allochka said:

    Thanks a lot for advise,

    Thanks a lot for advise, Jason! It does sound that the removal was really necessary. I have a friend with stones, she refuses to remove the gallbladder, I'll tell her now to think again... glad to hear that no difference for you.

    Good luck with healing and going back to work!

    Stones

    Allochka,

    My doctor told me that once stones get involved, the gallbladder nearly becomes useless.  So your friend is probably not getting much digestive benefit from it, especially if there are a lot of stones.  Some people are fine and never have symptoms, other times.... BAM!  Like in my case.  If a stone migrates into the bile duct, it becomes even more of an emergency situation that mine.  I can understand not wanting to get surgery, though.  As FoxHD said on another thread, though... "You are still gonna heal."

    - Jay

  • aamdsi
    aamdsi Member Posts: 284
    #13
    You're the only one

    who can say for sure.  Guess IF you needed to go home and rest - could you?

    Otherwise, go for it.  Just take it slow (I know, DUH)

    On the other hand....if you are able to take extened sick time...it is spring and the days are pretty nice.  Wouldn't it be nice just to relax a tad longer at home?

  • donna_lee
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,045 Member
    #14
    aamdsi said:

    You're the only one

    who can say for sure.  Guess IF you needed to go home and rest - could you?

    Otherwise, go for it.  Just take it slow (I know, DUH)

    On the other hand....if you are able to take extened sick time...it is spring and the days are pretty nice.  Wouldn't it be nice just to relax a tad longer at home?

    Let me share info from an orthopedic surgeon

    My brother, a retired Veterinary professor, asked his ortho about this "no driving/don't return to work for 4-6 weeks" phrase that we have all been quoted.  It's not the physicians that want that related to you, it's the auto insurance companies.  Due dilligence to keep you from having a collision or hurting yourself or others, especially if you are still in pain or taking post surgical meds.  No driving = no lawsuits.  Leave it to a liability or collission carrier to look for a way to deny a claim.  And remember, you signed for receipt of the discharge paper that warned yoy not to drive.

    Donna

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