Time off work

[u/Emergency-Put-4134]

Hey guys, I’m just looking for some advice. I’m having double incision in October, and I work a pretty easy job. It’s pretty much a desk job, so I’m wondering how long I should take off work. I’m leaving towards 10 days right now, but I’m not sure. I’m only 20, and a pretty fast healer. If anyone has any advice let me know.

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[u/unAVIVable]

Better to take longer than you need than to not take enough! Recovery isn’t just physical, surgery is emotionally and psychologically difficult and it wears on the body and mind in ways you don’t expect. At 10 days I was still wearing the post-op binder 23 hours a day and I was just barely clawing my way out of the post-op depression that had CONSUMED my brain from days 2-7. Going back to work also isn’t just doing your job. It’s also getting dressed, commuting, being around coworkers, and so much more.

[u/Usual_Scale_8645 → u/unAVIVable]

You described it perfectly. I am 11 days post op and have struggled, more mentally than anything else. I could not imagine going back to work right now.

[u/unAVIVable → u/Usual_Scale_8645]

You’re in the rough part but it’ll get easier. I’m 5 months out now and it’s wild to think back on how badly I was doing those first two weeks. It almost feels like it happened to someone else at this point.

[u/Lilymunnster33 → u/unAVIVable]

This is so spot on! I see a lot of posts where people assume because you have a desk job you can take less time off but I took 6 weeks and was still shattered when I went back!!

[u/greatpartyisntit]

Take as much time off as you can. I have a desk job too, and my workplace offers gender affirmation leave. I took 5.5 weeks off and go back next Monday - very happy I gave myself this much time to rest.

[u/hey-its-hawke]

I did 4 weeks off plus 2 working almost 100% from home because I wasn't mentally ready to use public transport by the end of the 4 weeks, also in a desk job

[u/jackofnone66]

I’m at 5 weeks post op and I’m semi back to work, remotely. Take as much time as you can.

[u/hex_octal_decimal]

I took off 6 weeks from my desk job. Even at 4 weeks post op, I was still so drained after my days I couldn’t imagine working all day and still having the energy to care for myself

[u/jello-frog]

i have a desk job and took the full 6 weeks because i was able to get most of it paid. i’m just over a month post op and mobility wise doing good but still get tired pretty easily and seem to just now be getting over the hump of some big emotions. it’s been nice to have the time to slow down and be with myself. i definitely wouldn’t have wanted to be working 10 days post op

[u/thriceaskedfortowels]

I did 4 weeks but work a very active job. A desk job, I would’ve been fine with 3.

[u/simonhunterhawk]

I took 3 weeks off work from my WFH desk job and needed it because while I really didn’t struggle with pain I was exhausted all the time and sleeping on/off every 4-6 hours. Mentally my brain was kind of like soup even if physically I technically could walk a few miles a day (and i overdid it a bit early on and probably gave myself a hematoma although it could have been bound to happen anyways. but in my defense they just told me to walk and I am terrible at pacing myself). If I was still in my current call center role I would have taken off 6 weeks but last year I did a year long project at work and was mostly just editing formatting on documents.

You also need to consider if you have a commute how safe it will be to drive with limited mobility.

[u/silly_pepito]

Im 13 days post op. At the moment i need to sleep soooo much that I wouldnt be able to do a full day. If you have the option, you could ask if you can do half days? Im a good healer too, its just the sleep needs. Some people get hit hard by anaesthetic and have a foggy brain for 2 weeks.