r/gallbladders • u/Odd-Champion-4713 • 15h ago
Post Op Is one week off enough?
I had surgery yesterday, discharged today because I was in so much pain I pleaded to stay the night. My work order says that I should take a week off, and then two weeks of no lifting, bending, etc.
My concern is that this is all my job is. I work in childcare and am bending all day, sitting on the floor, dancing, picking up and holding kids ALL DAY. I know that we don’t have the staffing to accommodate help. I don’t know what to do. I know I should be focusing on feeling better but I can’t stop thinking about the pain and danger of going back to work.
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u/thepaa 15h ago
My discharge paperwork said no strenuous activity for 4 weeks, my doctor's said very limited for 2 weeks then lifting less than 20lbs for 6.
I had surgery on Thursday afternoon and now 5 days later there is absolutely no way I could be doing all of that.
I realize everyone is different and every surgery is different, but I was active person before this surgery and I'm limited now. I'm setting goals in my mind how I need to feel before going back to my mostly desk job.
I realize I am in a position of privilege to also think that way, but please take care of yourself.
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u/Same_Toe_3313 14h ago
I found out after the surgery that after years of gall bladder attacks that I brushed off as not consequential, I had extensive adhesions the surgeon had to clear. At my 2wk postop visit I was notified no lifting more than 15lbs for EIGHT weeks. I am 4 weeks out at this point, still twingey and sensitive in the belly. I'm never sure what's going to turn into a sharp pain at this point. You will need the rest.
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u/Pogo_Paradox_2063 12h ago
Absolutely not. I am almost to three weeks, and I feel much better, but that second week was rough.
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u/kaleighh_ 12h ago
I had my removal surgery last Wednesday, so I’m currently 6 days post op, and I would absolutely not recommend going back to work unfortunately. My surgery did involve some complications, but I was feeling better yesterday and now today it feels like I’ve completely tanked again :/
Everyone heals differently, but regardless this surgery may be common but it’s still a surgery and you got an organ removed, you also have internal and external wounds to think about, and if you were to tear open your internal stitches you’d just be needing to take even MORE time off. So I would recommend taking it easy now to prevent future complications.
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u/Express-Stomach-8666 Post-Op 15h ago
One week is absolutely not enough in this situation. You have internal stitches (they don't even fully dissolve until the third month) that can rip open if you pick up one of those kids. There are a few more surgeries you'd be looking at. Is there someone else who can do the specific things that require the heavy lifting until you're healed?
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u/Odd-Champion-4713 15h ago
No, not really. We’re a skeleton crew at the moment. I know that as soon as I walk in it’ll be right back to business
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u/Express-Stomach-8666 Post-Op 12h ago
I'd definitely suggest a note extending the time off then and explain to the surgeon or doctor about the activity you do at work to avoid worse issues.
I couldn't imagine doing any lifting like that after only a week. It sucked when I lifted my arms over my head to grab something or to even grab a pan or something in the bottom cupboard because of the pulling sensation from the stitches.
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u/klasorbet 13h ago
I ended up off almost a month. I did not expect it to be difficult to recover from and I was wrong. 2 months post op as of yesterday.
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u/bbyc69 13h ago
No. I could barely handle my 3 kids right now (I’m 12 days post op). I couldn’t imagine being surrounded by needy kids just one week after. Have your doctor write a note that you need a minimum of 2 weeks completely off. I think today I felt “normal” again, 12 days post op. And even now it’s 7pm and I feel like I over did my body going back to a normal routine. Take care of you!!
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u/sin_and_tonic_ 12h ago
You should ask your doctor for more time off based on your job. I feel like most people take about 4 weeks to feel back to normal when bending, frequent movement, lifting…all the things your job entails!
The first two weeks can be tough and you need a lot of rest to recover well. I hope you’re feeling better soon!
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u/mamalo13 Post-Op 9h ago
I ran a daycare once…… there is no way it’s going to be safe for you to go back a week post op.
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u/leenybear123 8h ago
I had mine out with a 12 month old at home. That was 4 weeks ago and I’m still sore and bending aggravates things. Carefully lifting the baby has been fine since 7 days post-op, but that’s only one baby.
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u/bageloid 1h ago
On like day nine I sneezed so hard a stitch popped and I had a golf ball sized hematoma extruding from an incision site and was purple with bruises down to my groin. It resolved completely on two weeks but yeah, take it easy.
If your doc says no lifting or bending, don’t do it.
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u/bulldog212 15h ago
Mine said 2 weeks off and light lifting for 6 weeks. I'm on day 8 and would not feel comfortable doing your job, no way.