Recovery/Returning to Work

[chansenrn 1]

Hi,

I am also a nurse, have sleep apnea, HTN, and had a huge hiatal hernia. Most people did not think that I qualified for Lap Band, but I did. Just turned 48 and I do have trouble with pain when I wake up from any surgery. Wanted to some background. I work at home as a case manager traveling on the road at times. I defintely needed the 2 weeks off. By the day 18, I felt like I never had surgery. It took a while for me. Like I said, this is the way I responded to surgeries in the past. Alot of other people recovery quickly, so I guess you have to gauge it on your own past experience. I would highly recommended at least 2-3 weeks off. You need to heal, and then start to get your routine down in terms of eating. It feels so good to destress. As nurses, we really need time off not just physically, but mentally. In terns of STD, contact your HR department. There may be a waiting period for length of time that you need to be out to collect. Just a note from the physician will do. They do not need to know the medical condition. That is confidential. I've learned to keep things to myself, as others have used it against me. Then, it just provokes anger.