I'm a teacher--when should I go back to work?

[JWL08 0]

I teach 7th grade and anyone who is a teacher knows, taking time off of work is a nightmare. I've been teaching for 7 years but I'm new to this district and try to avoid missing any days. When I spoke with my doctor he said I wouldn't be able to lift my son (he's 7 months old) for a solid 2 weeks. My intent was to wait until the summer for my surgery so I didn't have to take any time off of work, but then my little one will be home with me all day. So my question is, what is a REALISTIC amount of time to take off of work? Is this something I could squeeze in over the long weekend of Easter break (operate Thursday and back to work Tuesday)? I have no intentions of telling my principal or any coworkers of my surgery. I need to make a decision ASAP. HELP!!!

[daco525 0]

I have not had the surgery yet but listening to friends that have had it done, I think you should plan 2 weeks. Just have the surgeon right a note that you are under his care. He does not need to specify the reason. Schedule it around a break and use sick days. You will just have to think of a "general" response to give to those who question why you were out.

[TQUAD64 9]

I have a desk job and had complications while in the hospital. I took two weeks off and did not tell my employer. I utilized vacation time.

Every person's experience for recovery is different, but with a complication would occur, then what would you tell youe employer?

If you do this on spring break, who will watch your baby, since you cannot lift him?

Good luck with your decision.

[KLynch1770 0]

Hi I had my surgery on 2/11/09, Wednesday. I have a desk job and went back to work on 2/18/09, Tuesday and was fine. My doctor said I could have gone back on Monday, but I already had the day scheduled off. Recovery is pretty quick. I had my hiatal hernia repaired at the same time.

I think Easter break should be fine for you. You will be a little sore when bending, getting into your car, things like that. But it is not painful, just tender.

Good luck!

[Bella8891 0]

I am an 8th grade teacher and had my surgery in July. By the time I went back to school I was on solids and was familiar with a routine. You may want to reconsider and have your surgery in the summer. Will you be able to take care of yourself during the day with a 20 min. lunch break? with your students needing you when you are trying to drink your Water? You know how it is from the minute you walk through the door....you don't stop until the end of the day. Just my opinion....

[peachesj1 0]

I am a teacher too-high school. I took three days off before Christmas break and when I returned after break I was up and ready. Plan about 2 weeks.

[Lordessofthering 0]

I teach fourth grade and I am having my surgery on 3/24 (Tuesday) and I am returning to work on 3/30 (the following (Monday). I thought about doing it over Spring Break but who wants to waste the time you already have off. So I will be off a 6 days return to work for 5 days and then I will enjoy my Spring Break. From talking to other teachers that are in the support group I attend they said that they did just fine in returning to work in just a week, and yes I know that everyone is different. :tt2:

[kaseylynn 0]

I had my surgery on January 20th and was back at work the next day. Sure there was some pain but I took some a Darvocet and was able to do my job. I do mostly sitting at my desk, and when I needed any help with lifting something my co workers helped me out. My husband had his on January 27th and he was also back to work the next day. It all depends on the person.

[valerie09 0]

I'm also a teacher, I had my surgery on 10-11-08. I took off 3 days from school and we also had a 3 day weekend so I was able to stay home and recover for 6 days. This amount of time was plenty for me. Two weeks seems excessive.

Good luck!

[itschoice 0]

I am an 8th grade teacher and was banded on Thursday, 1/15/09. I thought that was a good date since that weekend would be a 3 day weekend. I was to return on Tuesday the following week. However, I had swelling and they had to re-operate on me on 1/16 to open the band.

I ended up taking Wednesday off and returned to work on Thursday. The next week was hard and I think that if I had more time off I would have felt better faster. But everyone is different. I have had 3 c-sections and thought this should be no big deal. If I had to do it over again...I probably would have still done it in January since waiting until spring break or summer seemed a long way away. Since we are closer to spring break I would wait until then.

[tibbie 0]

I'm looking at the same issue. I plan on having surgery on a Friday & going back to work on a Monday or Tuesday. I teach high school. I know I'm pushing things & probably I'm an idiot, but I just don't want to wait another thirty seconds if I don't have to.

[derbin247 0]

My surgeon said he will give me up to three weeks and I thought ya right. So I told my boss a week and my boss said if I am able to get three weeks then by all means take three weeks and make sure that I get the recovery that I need. I am not about to argue with that !!!

[gettin'healthy 0]

I teach kindergarten and have two half-day sessions. I had my surgery on a Wednesday and went back on Tuesday. I think I could have gone back on Monday, but I was having diarrhea that day and did not want to deal with that in school! I was told by my doctor not to lift anything heavier than 25 pounds for six weeks. I wish you the best with your surgery and recovery.

[froggin4colorado 0]

I am a sped teacher and had my surgery Monday Feb 16th. I took the whole week off and was filling pretty good by day 5. However, when I returned to work the following Monday, I was hurting by lunch time. I know the reason is because I rotate kids every 30 minutes so I was up walking every 30 minutes across the building to drop kids off and then to pick up more kids...repeat and repeat. Yes, you are supposed to walk, but I over did it. I wasn't ready for that much walking. So, I am easing back into groups now. I will try pulling groups again next Monday.