Days off from work

[foodfighter78 258]

I just took 24 days no pay days off for a overseas travel to visit my family. My insurance approve me and I have to have surgery before march. My doctor office called me Friday and say everything is ready for surgery. Now I'm wondering if I can take more days off from work. Or should I wait?

I'm worry to lose my job. Also do I really need someone at home with me ? if so how many days? Dr said I need only 2 weeks off, but I heard people saying 1 month/6 weeks. Should I wait to have surgery? I'm worry that insurance will have to do all process again.

[anaxila 501]

If you're approved by insurance, do not delay. You don't want to risk having to jump through all the same hoops a second time.

How big is your company? If it's more than 50 people, they are required to provide you with a leave of absence for medical reasons under FMLA. If you work for a smaller company then it's a bit more of a negotiation, but if the surgery wasn't medically necessary you wouldn't be having it and your insurance wouldn't be paying for it. Just keep that in the forefront of your mind when you talk with your boss. There's a little bit of leeway on timing, but the fact is that the surgery has to happen for your health.

Every surgeon is different about how much time they suggest you take off from work. Some people here will say that they went back to work in two weeks (or less!), but those are generally office jobs and they definitely report feeling run down by the end of the day.

I am planning to take much longer than that (6-8 weeks), but I work at a large company with well-established medical leave policies and I am taking full advantage. I feel guilt about this because I just changed jobs within the company and am leaving a new team before I've established much of a relationship with them, but the timing couldn't be helped and I wasn't willing to delay.

Hope this helps.

[foodfighter78 258]

I work for a small medical clinic we are 20 employes. I'm an Opthomologist tech. On my feet all day. But I work only 21 hrs a week. I can schedule surgery in march. I'll have to talk to my boss.

[SugarFreeMe 293]

I'd talk with your manager/boss. If at all possible, don'e delay. If you wait too long you'll have to go thru all the testing again. Good luck.