Short Term Disability after DS??

[stefaski]

I have a question. I am having DS surgery on January 9th and my manager just told me that the ST Disability provider has communicated a January 29th return to work date to her.

I'm thinking that's a little aggressive, considering that I was given a 6 weeks recovery period for my hysterectomy by the same ST Disability insurance provider. I have a desk job, but I can't imagine that my stomach and intestines will be adequately healed by that time.

Would you mind sharing your recovery times with me? I'll get a recommendation from my surgeon, but I'd love to hear from all of you.

Thanks!

[callmeEJ]

I had an open surgery and I was back at work after 2 weeks. I pushed it, though, and I fully admit it. I have a mostly desk job, too. I should have given myself another week or 2.

[keliblue]

I had Lap DS, after 3 weeks I came back to the office 2 or 3 days a week for a few hours and was exhausted.. Also getting used to your new poop regiment driving to and from was tricky when you have to go YOU HAVE TO GO !! My surgeon gave a letter stating 5 weeks.. he was on the money.. felt FANTASTIC at 5 weeks

[stefaski]

Thanks for the responses!

I agree about the tiredness and especially about getting the bowel habits under control. It's a bit of a hike to the ladies room. God bless you ladies for struggling through that!

If they do require a premature return to work, I will fully embrace the concept of passive resistance and make sure that I fully utilize my newly re-plumbed intestine and DS Fart often throughout the day. Perhaps someone will report me to OSHA and I'll get early dismissal.

[Deleted]

A note from your doctor should take care of this problem.

[supershae]

I just had my surgery last week and I'm going back to work on the 16th. Although, I'm starting school on Monday.

[ModestoK]

Isn't when you return up to your surgeon, rather than the disability administrator?
I'd ask my surgeon for a note excusing me for at least 4 weeks after discharge from the hospital. Otherwise they may find you napping at your desk.

[ModestoK]

Stefaski-
Also wanted to ask, what's with the Little Britian avi? Or are you really that gorgeous?

Kim

[stefaski]

Yea but No but Yea but No . .. One day I aspire to be as kick ass gorgeous as Vicky Pollard.

I'm a huge Little Britain fan!

[Dudette]

I was able to return to my work routine within a week and half of the Lap DS... but I'm the high energy, workaholic type. I was fine. However, 3 or 4 weeks seems more reasonable to me for most folks. You should go back when you feel you're ready, and of course you won't know that until after it's all over.

[meredith123]

I had a Lap DS and returned to work after 3 weeks. The 1st week back I was pretty tired and took a nap when I'd get home from work. I was also sore on my right side where they took out the stomach, so I would hold my belly when I walked. That lasted about the 1st week back to work. If you get your surgeon to write a letter that you need 4 or 5 weeks off, I'm sure they will pay for that much time. I was in a hurry to go back due to by busy work schedule and I couldn't really afford too much time at only 60% of my salary.

[happycatbert]

I was out for four weeks with an open DS. You need to find out what your doctor put on the forms to your disability carrier.

Usually the way this works is there is a "standard" recovery time chart for every procedure under the sun - adjustments are only made with specifics from the MD.

I work in HR - and this is an interesting issue for us. I had a woman argue that she needed an extra month off post hysterectomy. Her doctor said she didn't. Yet, this was my fault for "making" her return to work.

Sigh.

[happycatbert]

Oh one more thing - return to work dates on initial approval are generally tentative because you can't really say until the surgery is over and recovery is underway.

[stefaski]

Thanks for all of the great advice!

I will assess the situation with my surgeon at my one week visit. I certainly don't mind working, but the experience from my other surgery was that I felt better each week and I felt recovered at week 5.

Thanks everyone!

[Jolly Rancher]

Forgive me for not knowing for sure, but doesn't your doctor give you a return to work date? Our policy is if you are salaried, you get 8 weeks on short term, then if you haven't returned, you move to long term. My doctor gave an up front date of 6 weeks but I returned after a month.

[stefaski]

Jan 7, 2012 11:11:19 GMT -5 Jolly Rancher said:

Forgive me for not knowing for sure, but doesn't your doctor give you a return to work date? Our policy is if you are salaried, you get 8 weeks on short term, then if you haven't returned, you move to long term. My doctor gave an up front date of 6 weeks but I returned after a month.

That's what threw me. My manager (who is panic stricken b/c acutal work may need to be performed by her over the next few weeks even though I tee'd everything up ( i.e. idiot proofed everything) prior to leaving on Friday) told me I was approved through January 29th. I said it seemed a little aggressive but that I would consult with my surgeon after surgery, see how my recovery was coming along and would respond accordingly. She kept trying to talk me into coming back on the 29th because "it would be better for me". Not sure how she came up with that conclusion, but I guess you can't blame the girl for trying, right? Her narcissim is what really pissed me off, prompting the message thread to get some opinions and experiences.

I swear that the amount of money a manager makes is negatively correlated to the amount of work they are required to do.

Note that I am a bit more cranky than usual due to pre-operative liquid diet. It made for a rather amusing day at work on Friday.

Thanks!

[chicarita]

I worked for Aetna selling STD and LTD for years. There is a standard time to return based on a series of algorithms. However, you physician MUST clear you for return prior to being released from STD. So if he/she says it's longer than the 29th, then it's longer unless they decide to deny and sent to internal review. Which they won't.

How long the coverage is, well that's different. Some employers purchase 6 wks of STD for their employees, some up to 13 wks. After that, they automatically transition to LTD. The point is, while you are on disability your job is protected, but make sure you work through the FMLA if you are eligible as well.

20 days sounds like the algorithm date. Once you go for your post-op check, the surgeon will say you need more time. Then, call the STD provider and let them know you will be sending a note from your surgeon telling them that you will not be cleared for work return on the 29th and need the date extended to X. You shouldn't get any pushback.

Best of luck with your surgery - so excited for you!!!!

[stefaski]

Jan 7, 2012 13:01:21 GMT -5 chicarita said:

I worked for Aetna selling STD and LTD for years. There is a standard time to return based on a series of algorithms. However, you physician MUST clear you for return prior to being released from STD. So if he/she says it's longer than the 29th, then it's longer unless they decide to deny and sent to internal review. Which they won't.

How long the coverage is, well that's different. Some employers purchase 6 wks of STD for their employees, some up to 13 wks. After that, they automatically transition to LTD. The point is, while you are on disability your job is protected, but make sure you work through the FMLA if you are eligible as well.

20 days sounds like the algorithm date. Once you go for your post-op check, the surgeon will say you need more time. Then, call the STD provider and let them know you will be sending a note from your surgeon telling them that you will not be cleared for work return on the 29th and need the date extended to X. You shouldn't get any pushback.

Best of luck with your surgery - so excited for you!!!!

Thanks for the advice and the good wishes!

Love the Tinkerbell avatar! She is one saucy fairy!

[Happy DSr]

your past recovery time is a likely good indicator for your results this time. I had an open DS, and recovery time was very much the same as with a hysterectomy 10 years prior.

Because I travelled for surgery, I stayed n a hotel near my surgeon for two weeks, before a very long 2 day drive home (as a passenger, of course). At 3.5 weeks, I was able to do some computer/desk work for an hour or two daily, then half days in week four/five then back full time to a desk job after 6 weeks.

I really wasn't at full strength until 3 months in, when I seemed to reach a turning point when everything started working as it was supposed to - and I then loved my DS.

[mesa0102]

I think it depends on what your STD coverage is, how physical your job is, and how you recover from things. At the time I had my open, virgin DS, I had a very physical job as a prison guard- I took the full 6 weeks, because I had to be capable of tackling somebody if need be when I went back. I was OK at that point, but I wish I had had 2 more weeks. That's an extreme situation, though- most seem to be good to go back somewhere in the 2-4 week range. I was bored out of my mind by 2 weeks, but wouldn't even have had the energy for a desk job at that point. Bottom line, have your surgeon dictate how long the two of you think you'll need, and inform that beyotch of a manager when you'll be back.

[stefaski]

Jan 7, 2012 22:36:47 GMT -5 Happy DSr said:

your past recovery time is a likely good indicator for your results this time. I had an open DS, and recovery time was very much the same as with a hysterectomy 10 years prior.

Because I travelled for surgery, I stayed n a hotel near my surgeon for two weeks, before a very long 2 day drive home (as a passenger, of course). At 3.5 weeks, I was able to do some computer/desk work for an hour or two daily, then half days in week four/five then back full time to a desk job after 6 weeks.

I really wasn't at full strength until 3 months in, when I seemed to reach a turning point when everything started working as it was supposed to - and I then loved my DS.

Thanks for the feedback - it's good to know the recovery stages that others have experienced! It will give me a reality check when things start out a little bumpy - something to look forward to!

Thanks!!

[stefaski]

Jan 8, 2012 1:34:51 GMT -5 mesa0102 said:

I think it depends on what your STD coverage is, how physical your job is, and how you recover from things. At the time I had my open, virgin DS, I had a very physical job as a prison guard- I took the full 6 weeks, because I had to be capable of tackling somebody if need be when I went back. I was OK at that point, but I wish I had had 2 more weeks. That's an extreme situation, though- most seem to be good to go back somewhere in the 2-4 week range. I was bored out of my mind by 2 weeks, but wouldn't even have had the energy for a desk job at that point. Bottom line, have your surgeon dictate how long the two of you think you'll need, and inform that beyotch of a manager when you'll be back.

Thanks so much for the information- very very helpful!

[feyangel]

In my information session I was originally told 6-8 weeks would be needed off of work. However, once I was scheduled and had my FMLA paperwork filled out, I was told 4 weeks. My surgery was 12/11/11, and sadly I am scheduled to go back to work tomorrow. I spoke with my surgeon at my 2 week follow up appointment and he was sure this would be sufficient. To be honest I think I can handle it, but I know I will be exhausted. It sure would have been nice to have at least one more week off, but there's nothing I can do now at this point.

[stefaski]

Jan 8, 2012 10:54:14 GMT -5 feyangel said:

In my information session I was originally told 6-8 weeks would be needed off of work. However, once I was scheduled and had my FMLA paperwork filled out, I was told 4 weeks. My surgery was 12/11/11, and sadly I am scheduled to go back to work tomorrow. I spoke with my surgeon at my 2 week follow up appointment and he was sure this would be sufficient. To be honest I think I can handle it, but I know I will be exhausted. It sure would have been nice to have at least one more week off, but there's nothing I can do now at this point.

Bless your heart! I understand - I know you can handle it, but you need to rest during recovery; it becomes less and less of a need over time but it's an important part of healing.

How assertive were you with the surgeon? That checkup was two weeks ago - if you still are feeling tired during the day, is there a way to ask your surgeon for a week extension or maybe 1/2 day transition period? Is your manager understanding (I know sometimes that's a long shot)?

Can you work remotely from home?

[kirmy]

Two months. I was utterly fucked up post surgery. Couldn't have found my arse in a blackout.

[emalee]

I've never heard of the disability office saying how long you have? Its the doctor that tells the company how long you need to be off?

[Psyche]

I worked an insane convention 3 weeks post-op, but I am an adrenaline junkie. 2 weeks seems rather nuts to me, though.

[sunday77]

At a desk job I could have been back to work in a week with the DS. After my hysterectomy, though it would have been more like 2 but I suffered from life threatening anemia leading up to the hysterectomy so take that with a grain of salt.

[rklc2002]

I had an open DS on Oct 14. I took 4 weeks off. If you can, I would suggest trying to go back part time weeks 4-6. I went back on a Friday, which was good. But, then the next week (week 5), I was TOAST by Friday. I also have a desk job, but even that is exhausting after recovering from surgery of any sort. Anesthesia takes awhile to get out of your system.

Good luck!

[feyangel]

Well I've made it through three days now being back to work. If I hadn't come down with a cold on Friday I'd be doing a lot better now. I do have a desk job, but not very understanding management. I actually had to get my surgeon to submit a letter to my boss requesting I not be made to work overtime for 3 weeks. They were wanting to start me back at 10 hours days, to which I flat out said hell no. So far I'm doing ok, but I say take as much time off as you are able to.