Back to Work

[Guest]

I'm due to go back to work Feb 7th. I have a desk job, with some walking around required. No standing though. I'm at 5 1/2 weeks post op as you may know. Something drastically positive will need to happen before I can get back to work. Sitting for more than 3 hours causes me to have a back ache and I need to lay down. I only plan on working for 4 hours for the first two weeks, then full time. I'm active, making dinner, walking and short shopping trips now. Any suggestions to get my stamina up

 

[clement]

Hi Topmommy,

Have you tried yoga with mostly restorative positions and breathing?

Clement

 

[Lynlw]

Are you doing or have you looked into cardiac rehab? If not that might be something to consider. Alot of people find it very helpful since they make sure you get enough excercise in and at the same time make sure you don't over do and cause a setback. When you are doing your walking, are you trying to increase the amount of walking either distance or amount of time or even number of walks a day? If you already are in a rehab program, or increasing your walks, then I guess the only thing that will help is time.

As for the sitting and back problems, I understand that completely. Can you take short breaks just to walk aound and stretch every so often? I can't sit very long at all, but if I break it up and walk around BEFORE the pain is too bad, it helps. I also sit on a pillow and that seems to help. I know they make special cushion type things to sit on (some even have a cut out for your tailbone) but just a regular throw pillow works fine for me.

 

[Greg a]

I would agree with Lyb on this in that CARDIAC rehab can do wonders ....is your employer at alll open to even more of a modified return to work eg. Tues and Thurs week 1 for 4 hours total 8 hours week two Mon Wed and Fri four hours then week three four hours per day ?

 

[bigsidster]

You say you are due back Feb 7 which is more than three weeks away.You will be suprised how much better you will feel in 3 weeks.Then you get modified duties for 2 more weeks.You may do just fine.I was a basket case at 5 weeks and feel pretty darn good at 8 weeks.I could go back to work at 8 weeks but I retired 7 years ago.

 

[Philip B]

Work

Work

Recovery & rehab is different for everyone. I returned to work on a half day basis the week following my surgery. Basically, I took the week of my surgery off. Following my week of half days, I was back full days the week after that. I really liked my job and it undoubtedly kept me focused on positive recovery and rehab.

If you've got a few more weeks off, you might want to increase your activity level. Stretching and perhaps some massage therapy stuff might help with the back pain.

-Philip