lifting restriction after surgery

[rabbitt 0]

hello, i was banded on the 31st of march, and thought i was ready to go back to work on this past tues, the 14th, but my surgeon had faxed over a lifting restriction of nothing greater than 20 lbs for 6 weeks,, and the work doctor did not clear me because i am a nurse, and our department does not take anyone back with any lifting restrictions. I did not think this would be the case at all post op, because all i heard preop was how quickly people return to work, did anyone else have this length of lifting precaution placed on them as well? thank you!

[lellow 1,713]

My son is 15kgs (over 30lbs) and I was carrying him within a week of surgery. I checked with my surgeon and he said it was fine.

Your dr is probably being cautious. But if he's put a lifting restriction on you, surely it means you can't go back to work, then?

[rabbitt 0]

that is what i am wondering, tomorrow will be my first post op visit, and i had called ahead to ask the office staff the doctors policy of weight restriction , and they again confirmed that it was nothing over 20 lbs....we'll see what he says, i have the 'time' in my extended illness bank, but i feel like i am leaving my coworkers in a fix because, i am on the schedulle already for the next 3 weeks, and they would have to find coverage for me......

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Discuss this with your surgeon. I had a 3 week 15 pound restriction but my surgeon said many nurses go back after 1 week....perhaps they don't take sick time/EIB leave and therefore don't have to have a letter to go back to work?

[rabbitt 0]

that is what i was wondering too, because i used my eib , rather than pto, a note is necessary...well, i will talk to his partner tomorrow, my surgeon is away on vacation, i never met this guy, so we'll see...part of me would love another 3 weeks off, but part of me is going insane at home!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Honestly, I'm 54 and not in the BEST shape but I would've freaked if I had to be out that long. I started my 3rd semester of nursing school as I finished my surgery (I had scheduled it for earlier but my liver was too thick) so I was in clinicals several days a week. I had about 9 days before my 1st clinical and I was fine. Three weeks would've been nice but not really necessary. Actually you may lift occasionally but you can get help moving patients etc..so I can't imagine they won't give you a green light if you want it!

[klutzyazhel 0]

Two weeks was my restriction..I lift my disabled son who weighs around 105-115..

[Kate1973 0]

I was told the same thing as you Rabbitt. However, I have twin 2 year olds that are potty training, so I have been lifting them from the moment I got home from the hospital. I am not saying it is good advice, but it just wasn't possible to *not* lift them.