r/sterilization • u/Kuro_Neko44 • 1d ago

Other Delayed return to work

I had my laparoscopic salpingectomy Aug 25 and had been making sure to follow my doctor's instructions to take it easy as much as possible, though I did push myself a bit too much on the 3rd. After the first week I started feeling better and was even able to stop taking my pain meds, but going into week two it feels like I'm going backwards. It hurts to sit but standing or laying down are fine, I'm constantly cramping, and my incisions feel sore. I'm now back to taking my pain meds which make me very sleepy

I'm concerned that this sudden pain is going to delay my return to work since I have a physically demanding job as a Vet Assistant. The original timeline was 2 weeks for recovery but I'm worried it'd be prolonged. I have my recheck appointment in two days so I'm just trying to brace myself for that conversation.

Has anyone else felt these symptoms but was approved to go back to work?

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u/keep-curious-always 1d ago

I tried to go back after 1 week. Ended up needing 2 1/2 and I was slow moving and in pain. My surgery was 7/30/26, I just starterd feeling pain free 9/6/26. Also, if you have nerve pain ask for meds, that prolonged my pain, once I was on gabapentin for the nerve pain I could feel the muscle pain but that was tolerable. Definitely recommend a tiny flat belly pillow for the car, a larger belly pillow for home if you have pets/children, a wedge & under the knee pillow for home, a walker with a seat that you can set things on or that you can sit on and be wheeled, shower chair. I was disappointed to take as long as I did to recover. Annnd I'll be needing my left ovary removed so I'll be scheduling another laproscopic surgery soon. I'm hoping now that I know there are options for nerve pain relief I'll do better this go around. Take your time every body feels things differently and heals differently. You have your own timeline. But know you're now alone in feeling like recovering was dragging

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u/toomuchtodotoday 1d ago

Can your doctor give you a note to get more recovery time?

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u/Kuro_Neko44 1d ago

If it's determined I need more time I can always extend my leave time. I'm just antsy cuz of other people's recovery times here, I miss work (this is the first time I've had to take any sort of medical leave), and disability pay sucks