A
annb
Good Morning.
How soon did you guys get back to work after your AVR??
Thanks
Ann(Byron's wife)
How soon did you guys get back to work after your AVR??
Thanks
Ann(Byron's wife)
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
G
geebee
Ann,
I had MVR and was back to work part-time at 8 weeks and full-time at 12 weeks.
I would have liked (and really needed from a tiredness standpoint) to have 12 full weeks off but there was no one else to complete some of the work I did.
I had MVR and was back to work part-time at 8 weeks and full-time at 12 weeks.
I would have liked (and really needed from a tiredness standpoint) to have 12 full weeks off but there was no one else to complete some of the work I did.
WayneGM
Well-known member
I had a MV repair and was off 12 weeks. I might have been back in 10 weeks but had a set back at week 3 that required a minor surgery and another week in the hospital. The doctors originally told me to expect to be off 10 - 12 weeks so I was right on time.
However, I commute a fairly long distance (1.5 hours by car/train each way) which means very long days (I typically leave the house at 6am and generally don't get back until 7:00pm) so I started gradually...2 days the first week, 3 the second, and 4 the third, and then finally full time.
However, I commute a fairly long distance (1.5 hours by car/train each way) which means very long days (I typically leave the house at 6am and generally don't get back until 7:00pm) so I started gradually...2 days the first week, 3 the second, and 4 the third, and then finally full time.
pedimed
Well-known member
I was told 3-4 weeks for an administrative job, however now just at 3 weeks, I cannot yet imagine running around yet at work for a full day. I plan to try to return at 8weeks postop and take it slowly.
See how you feel.. some people can start back part time and gradually increase as tolerated..
Leah
See how you feel.. some people can start back part time and gradually increase as tolerated..
Leah
Short term disability providers allow (and pay) six to eight weeks for a normal recovery. They wouldn't do that if they didn't feel they absolutely had to. I had a great and fast recovery, but I started back with half-days at six weeks, going to full time at eight.
You'd be amazed how much stress burden you have at work - including for an "administrative" job. Going back is a lot more than just considering physical effort. Shame on your doctor, Leah!
Don't rush it, because you can pay an unseen price for it in arrhytmias and other problems. This surgery is no joke, and recovery is more than having the external wound close and being allowed to drive again.
How much could you be worth to the people at your job, if they think that you starting back two weeks earlier is more important than your full recovery or your future health? It's not a sign of how important you are, it's a sign of how little concern they have for you.
Take care of yourself. Don't expect the people you work with to do it. And don't believe that they will think twice about any personal difficulties you develop, if you start back early. They'll just say, "Well, he shouldn't have come back so soon, if he wasn't ready."
You are more than a thrall to your job, and you shouldn't measure your worth by your sacrifices there.
Best wishes,
You'd be amazed how much stress burden you have at work - including for an "administrative" job. Going back is a lot more than just considering physical effort. Shame on your doctor, Leah!
Don't rush it, because you can pay an unseen price for it in arrhytmias and other problems. This surgery is no joke, and recovery is more than having the external wound close and being allowed to drive again.
How much could you be worth to the people at your job, if they think that you starting back two weeks earlier is more important than your full recovery or your future health? It's not a sign of how important you are, it's a sign of how little concern they have for you.
Take care of yourself. Don't expect the people you work with to do it. And don't believe that they will think twice about any personal difficulties you develop, if you start back early. They'll just say, "Well, he shouldn't have come back so soon, if he wasn't ready."
You are more than a thrall to your job, and you shouldn't measure your worth by your sacrifices there.
Best wishes,
pedimed
Well-known member
Bob..
Bob..
Bob, Well said!
-Leah
Bob..
Bob, Well said!
-Leah
A
andrewbarone
When I had the first one done in May 2000, I was told about 4-6 weeks if I had a desk job; however, being a teacher 10-12 weeks was best. Fortunately, with the timing it worked out that I just took the rest of the school year and still had July/August to recuperate. For the second one scheduled for April 4th, due to other complictations (chf in Jan.2006) they said that my time in the hospital would probably be a bit longer...so out again for the rest of the year!
M
michellep
I am so glad someone started this post. The end of this week completes 6 weeks at home and I don't think that I am ready to teach first graders for 7 hours a day (plus the before and after time). I was feeling guilty as I considered one more week. Part time isn't an option and short term disability is non existant, so it's all about the body and when I'm ready.
Old clicker
Well-known member
Desk job
Desk job
I went back at 6 weeks. My cardio said I could if I felt like it, so I did.
Desk job
I went back at 6 weeks. My cardio said I could if I felt like it, so I did.
Hi Ann
Tyce was off for 11 weeks post op....of course, the last week we actually went on vacation to reward ourselves for everything he/we'd been through. I'm sure he could have gone back to work after 8 or 9, but he had the time and we used it.
Hope it helps.
Evelyn
Tyce was off for 11 weeks post op....of course, the last week we actually went on vacation to reward ourselves for everything he/we'd been through. I'm sure he could have gone back to work after 8 or 9, but he had the time and we used it.
Hope it helps.
Evelyn
I went on short-term disability 2 weeks pre-op & went back to work half-time for 4 weeks after 7 weeks post-op.
When I went back to work part-time, I realized why it's called w-o-r-k. Just getting ready for the day, driving to work, parking the car, etc., etc., is tiring.
My husband, who will be having MV surgery sometime this spring, has about 4-5 months sick leave. I will encourage him to take 6-8 weeks -- just because it's there. He works at a community college and does a lot of walking around the campus. He usually takes 1 or 2 weeks vacation between the spring and first summer terms.
When I went back to work part-time, I realized why it's called w-o-r-k. Just getting ready for the day, driving to work, parking the car, etc., etc., is tiring.
My husband, who will be having MV surgery sometime this spring, has about 4-5 months sick leave. I will encourage him to take 6-8 weeks -- just because it's there. He works at a community college and does a lot of walking around the campus. He usually takes 1 or 2 weeks vacation between the spring and first summer terms.
kodi
Well-known member
I went back 10 weeks post. I'm a part time office manager for the local cemetery. The person hired to take over while I was out then assist me on my return made a big mess of everything so she's no longer there and I've spent the last 2 1/2 months trying to get things squared away. Fortunately for me, I deal pretty well with stress and know when to walk away if necessary.
PJmomrunner
Well-known member
Hmmm...Weekend at Bernie's 3? Or 4 perhaps???
T
tomkanis
Sooner than Later
Sooner than Later
I went back to work via the Internet from home at three weeks, then part time at the office at five weeks, and back full time at six weeks, which included a 72-mile round trip drive. Reason: no short-term disability insurance.
Tom in Cincinnati
AVR 10/13/06
"Make Mine Bovine"
Sooner than Later
I went back to work via the Internet from home at three weeks, then part time at the office at five weeks, and back full time at six weeks, which included a 72-mile round trip drive. Reason: no short-term disability insurance.
Tom in Cincinnati
AVR 10/13/06
"Make Mine Bovine"
B
Bridgette
I had mitral valve replacement and Maze, and I went back to work part time (I am only part time anyway) at 6 weeks. I work Thursdays and Saturdays in a veterinary clinic on the reception - generally I was fine when I started back, but of course no heavy lifting so could not lift any animals, baskets of washing, sacks of pet food etc.
Mainly I stayed out front, answering the phone, doing stuff on the computer etc.
I am also a part time student, so going back to that was okay, as I study extramurally and work from home on my computer.
Bridgette
Mainly I stayed out front, answering the phone, doing stuff on the computer etc.
I am also a part time student, so going back to that was okay, as I study extramurally and work from home on my computer.
Bridgette
Turkey Hunter
Well-known member
I was back to work part time in 3 1/2 weeks and full time at 6 weeks.
All with the docs approval.
All with the docs approval.
MikeHeim
Well-known member
I went back at 10 weeks and was shocked at how exausted I was for the first week or two that I was back. I am a Manufacturing Supervisor, so a good deal of my day is walking the floor, but certainly not anything too strenuous. Of course, I do need to mention that I had Short Term Disability that paid me at 100% the entire time I was out, so I didn't feel the need to rush...
Hi Ann,
When to go back to work is difficult to judge based on the recovery times of other people. One of the things that needs to be considered has already been brought up, how physical is the job. A desk job will require less time then a construction job. It will also depend on how the surgery goes and of course the recovery. How does he deal with work related stress? Stress from the commute? That will aslo play a part in how quicly he returns to work. He should plan on six weeks. It seems to be a general number that works well for most people. Once the recovery starts he can adjust the amount of time he needs to achieve his recovery. Going back to work too soon can lead to complications and a longer recovery.
Now that I said that - I went back to work part time at ten days and full time at three weeks. I worked from home until five weeks after my surgery. I still think I should have just gone back to work full time at 10 days but the wife wouldn't let me. To put it in perspective though I have a desk job and I can work from home whenever I want. So dealing with the commute etc wasn't something I had to do.
Good luck.
When to go back to work is difficult to judge based on the recovery times of other people. One of the things that needs to be considered has already been brought up, how physical is the job. A desk job will require less time then a construction job. It will also depend on how the surgery goes and of course the recovery. How does he deal with work related stress? Stress from the commute? That will aslo play a part in how quicly he returns to work. He should plan on six weeks. It seems to be a general number that works well for most people. Once the recovery starts he can adjust the amount of time he needs to achieve his recovery. Going back to work too soon can lead to complications and a longer recovery.
Now that I said that - I went back to work part time at ten days and full time at three weeks. I worked from home until five weeks after my surgery. I still think I should have just gone back to work full time at 10 days but the wife wouldn't let me. To put it in perspective though I have a desk job and I can work from home whenever I want. So dealing with the commute etc wasn't something I had to do.
Good luck.
B
B Miner
A MVR in the other Greenville
A MVR in the other Greenville
Greetings. I'm not sure how useful such information is but I had a daVinci robotic mitral valve repair conducted on 1/31 and was booted out of the Greenville, North Carolina Hospital five days later. Four days of rest at home was enough to lose all signs of the procedure and to gestate a nifty case of intestinal flu. That's all gone and I am fully back at work. I don't do much heavy lifting but I drive a lot and get out a lot to meet with children with problems. I'm not sure why all MVR isn't done with robotics but I'm convinced pain, recovery time and no blood loss are prime factors in support. My advice, do as your doc says but keep expanding the envelope
Best to you
B Miner
A MVR in the other Greenville
Greetings. I'm not sure how useful such information is but I had a daVinci robotic mitral valve repair conducted on 1/31 and was booted out of the Greenville, North Carolina Hospital five days later. Four days of rest at home was enough to lose all signs of the procedure and to gestate a nifty case of intestinal flu. That's all gone and I am fully back at work. I don't do much heavy lifting but I drive a lot and get out a lot to meet with children with problems. I'm not sure why all MVR isn't done with robotics but I'm convinced pain, recovery time and no blood loss are prime factors in support. My advice, do as your doc says but keep expanding the envelope
Best to you
B Miner
R
ruth
Back to Work
Back to Work
I'm a web designer/computer programmer (desk job) by trade.
I have good benefits, and I paid for the high option on disability because I knew I would need this surgery eventually. After 10 days at no pay they pay 60% of my salary post tax based upon what the Dr. authorizes. That's about what I get in my paycheck normally.
At first they said that Mitral Valve Repair was worth 10 days off work! I started to cry and my husband had to take the phone tell them it was a tad more serious of a surgery than that (read "open heart surgery", she was in the hospital for 6 days). They then came back and said 8 weeks.
My most recent cardio visit showed I'm still in a-fib so the cardio wrote them a letter and they gave me another 4 weeks. I'm currently 7 weeks out of surgery.
Everyone is different but I'm not that strong and this surgery and follow-up a-fib has really knocked me for a loop. I feel very fortunate to have the benefits that I have so that I can stay home and recover at my own pace (which is not that fast). Though I can't see into the future I suspect/hope at 12 weeks I'll be ready to go back. I do think it will probably exhaust me when I go back, we'll see.
Ruth
Back to Work
I'm a web designer/computer programmer (desk job) by trade.
I have good benefits, and I paid for the high option on disability because I knew I would need this surgery eventually. After 10 days at no pay they pay 60% of my salary post tax based upon what the Dr. authorizes. That's about what I get in my paycheck normally.
At first they said that Mitral Valve Repair was worth 10 days off work! I started to cry and my husband had to take the phone tell them it was a tad more serious of a surgery than that (read "open heart surgery", she was in the hospital for 6 days). They then came back and said 8 weeks.
My most recent cardio visit showed I'm still in a-fib so the cardio wrote them a letter and they gave me another 4 weeks. I'm currently 7 weeks out of surgery.
Everyone is different but I'm not that strong and this surgery and follow-up a-fib has really knocked me for a loop. I feel very fortunate to have the benefits that I have so that I can stay home and recover at my own pace (which is not that fast). Though I can't see into the future I suspect/hope at 12 weeks I'll be ready to go back. I do think it will probably exhaust me when I go back, we'll see.
Ruth
