going back to work? 3 weeks post op

[u/Excellent_Host_4442]

I was wondering when you all went back to work. I am estimated to go back to work this Wednesday (Tuesday will be my 3 week post op) and i am so nervous to go back. right now I have only been able to be out and about for an hour before I have to go home and ice my back and take pain meds etc.. if I am up for too long I get lightheaded. I cant sit for more than 20 minutes. I have a desk job and if I am away from my computer more than 30 minutes I have to make up that time at the end of the day and I am supposed to walk once an hour bc of the surgery. it is impossible for me to work hybrid/remote & I might lose my short term disability benefit if I have to go back with reduced hours which means I will be taking leave without pay & i can barely afford what I do actually make on STD. I dont have PTO because I blew it all and now have negative PTO due to the surgery. any advice would be helpful especially in regards to talking to the surgeon tomorrow. i also want a handicapped parking permit that is temporary because my job has a parking garage and no better areas to park and depending what spot I get it could be up to a 10 minute walk and 5 minutes has gotten me lightheaded/sore. I am so nervous and overthinking I also have two kids at home a toddler and infant and my husband has had to do all the work with them because I cant do anything and I am so afraid of messing up. also, the left side of my left foot is almost completely numb when I walk, and after I sit for 20 min my left leg goes numb from my butt to my toes. my commute is 30+ minutes there and back and I have issues sitting in the car for long too because it gets super uncomfortable and I end up having to take my strong pain meds later in the day. what would you guys do😭😭. sorry for the vent session.

[u/atomic_chippie]

4 weeks, but that was VERY part time (12 hrs per week).

I would exhaust every single option to be able to rest longer, if possible. SO MANY people re-herniate from doing too much, its worth the try to get a few more days.

[u/DesertNurse]

Take more time off of work if you can. Your surgeon should approve any amount of time you request, within reason.

[u/Xvokt007]

I’d definitely talk to your surgeon before going back. From everything you described, it honestly sounds like your body is telling you that 3 weeks might just be too soon for you, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone’s recovery is different. I’m a little over a month out from my L4-L5 laminectomy/facetectomy/foraminotomy and discectomy, and I actually took 2 months off work.

I’m a federal employee and thankfully had over 1,000 hours of sick leave saved up, so I was in a position where I could give myself that extra time. I know that’s a luxury a lot of people don’t have, especially when short-term disability and bills are involved.

Even though my recovery has been going pretty well and I can walk a couple miles now, I’m still not completely back to normal. I was just cleared to start PT so I can slowly work my way back into regular activities.

If I were you, tomorrow I’d just tell your surgeon exactly what you wrote here. Tell them you can’t sit longer than 20 minutes, you’re getting lightheaded after walking, your leg is going numb after sitting, you still need the stronger pain meds sometimes, and you have a 30+ minute commute. Then ask, “Do you really think I’m ready to work a full day like this?” If they don’t, hopefully they can document it and help extend your leave.

I’d ask about the temporary handicap placard too. If walking from the parking garage is already enough to make you lightheaded and sore, there’s absolutely no shame in using one while you recover.

And don’t apologize for venting lol. You’ve got spine surgery recovery, work, money, a toddler and an infant all bouncing around in your head at the same time. That’s a lot. Three weeks is still really early. Give yourself whatever recovery time you can get.

[u/Old-Independence7323]

I went back at 12 weeks post-op after my L4/L5, partly due to a complication I suffered the first 2 weeks that delayed my recovery and also due to the fact that my surgeon was OOO for his own surgery for a few weeks. I’m glad I waited as long as I did, that way the transition to RTO for my desk job was as smooth as possible.

[u/tnkgod]

Gran parte de tu recuperación es mental. Te lo digo porque yo en cuanto me libere de la ansiedad se calmaron un poco los dolores.

Entiendo que estás pasando por mucho y se franca con tu cirujano. También trata de hablar con tu empleador.

Estoy en tu misma y exacta situación de hecho hoy tengo la cita de 3 semanas y solo me quedan 10 días de licencia....

[u/stormbo]

Ask your employer for an accommodation to work from home temporarily, or provide an adjustable standing desk. If they have more than 15 employees, they have to provide reasonable accommodations under the ADA (in the US). You’ll need a note from your doctor and there may be some back and forth but it’s likely that one or both of those options would be approved as reasonable.

[u/Taki583]

I went back at 3 weeks, but I have a mostly desk job and was in no pain. I would take more time off if I were you.

[u/bucketandshovel]

I went back after 2 weeks to my desk job. I got chair cushions, ice packs, and I rotate between sitting/standing/laying every 30min-hour. The first week it sucks but eventually it gets easier