How long was it before you went back to work?

[ghenier27]

Hello Everyone!

I was just wondering how long was it before you went back to work after surgery?

[Kaybo]

I went back after 3 months but I had a LOT of complications and a stroke (NOT common) so really 3 months was pushing it for me - I still couldn't write or anything...everything is good now though!

K   

[nteeman]

I was operated on January 27, 2009. I returned to work on February 26, 2009.

Neal

[TP]

I had my AN removed on 6/5/06, two additional surgeries (CSF leaks) and mennigitis and was back to work by middle of August 2006, so I was out on disability for 2.5 months. I had double vision, facial paralysis and totally deaf on my left side as well as a gold weight inserted in my eye lid. I work for a large IT company and work from home which made it easier on me getting ready in the morning. I was back exercising in August as well. I am a bit of a workaholic and enjoyed getting back into being busy. HOWEVER....there are times I wish I made myself rest more and just lay around and relax.

[chocolatetruffle]

i was out for 3 mths and was back to work with about 90% efficiency.

[leapyrtwins]

I returned to work part-time (half days) 2 1/2 weeks post op and returned full-time 4 weeks post op.

But, I have a desk job and didn't have any big complications (no CSF leak, etc).  My biggest issue was SSD.  The fatigue was also tremendous. 

Keep in mind that recovery from AN surgery isn't a race and everyone heals at their own pace.  Everyone has a different experience.  You and your doctor will know when it's time for you to return.  Listen to your body and don't rush it.

Best,

Jan

[Dan]

I was away from work for three months.  I work swing shifts and lift quit a bit of weight so the Dr. told me before surgery I should wait at least 3 months.

Dan in Germany

[wcrimi]

I returned part time at 6 weeks. 

[nancyann]

I went back to work at 8 weeks post op:  3 days a week for 2 weeks, then full time.

[tenai98]

I'm almost four months post op (surgery was April 7/09) and I'm still not back to wokr.  I still have wonky head and headaches at varying degrees.  Doc told me I can try going back to work, but he also told me he was being facetious.  Told me to try...Well, whenever I put any form of concentration forth, I get wonky head and headaches. I feel like a zombie for several days.  For example, my son and daugther in law emulated my inclass portion of work on one day, then headaches started several hrs later. then that sunday took a trip to the city (1.5hrs each way) as a passensager. Monday I still had headaches and today ( tues) I am wonky head.....so I dont know about work...its really depressing. but I'm alive and will work work around it
Jo

[Syl]

I returned to work 2 months post-op and wasn't sure I was ready at that point because I still felt dizzy, but went back to work anyway. Getting back into that routine actually helped me a great deal.

Syl

[epc1970]

I returned to work at 6 weeks: 1/2 days for the first week then back to full time. Like Syl, I found getting back into a regular routine to be very helpful. I have a desk job and my own office that really helped if I needed to close the door for some quite.

[cecile k]

I am/was a stay at home mom of five boys (then ages 4 - 14) and had to recuperate away from home for five weeks (parent's home) in a quiet environment to relearn to walk and deal with the terrible headaches. When I was able to do stairs, I went home but was unable to fully look after the boys for another two months. Headaches and extreme fatigue were huge issues for me at that time.

[jtd71465]

Surgery was on 1/10/07 and I was back at work (driving to the office each day) at the end of February, I started to work from home via email much earlier.


Joe-

[Pooter]

I went back part-time at 6.5 weeks, worked for about 2 weeks, then I was back in the hospital for 4 days (nasty allergic reaction to a diuretic I was on), stayed home for another few days after that, then went back full time and I haven't looked back since.

Barring complications, I'd say the "norm" is about 4-6 weeks.  With complications, it can be anywhere from a couple of months off to a couple of years (depending on the severity of the complication).

Regards,
Brian