Average time off work

[thejepo]

As most of you know i had my second pvi ablation about four weeks ago and all is going normal at the moment. Hope everyone else who has had the op is recovering well. It got me wondering though what the average period of time off work is after an ablation (please feel free to answer) i am well aware that some people think we should all be back at work an hour after it takes weeks sometimes to get a fit note off your gp

[Hidden]

I took a week off, then worked for a couple of hours a day at home on my laptop. I should have taken 2 weeks really

[UScore]

I wasn't signed off at all at first. The Arrhythmia Nurse told me that I should go back to work after 7 days and I wouldn't get a Dr's note because you can self-certify for a week.

I didn't feel ready after a week, so on the day I was supposed to go back to work, I called my GP. I had barely got through 2 sentences of my rehearsed spiel of why I wasn't ready when my GP interrupted and said "How long do you want me to sign you off for?"

So I had 2 weeks off. And I also got a "may be fit for work" note from the GP, and I came in on reduced hours for the first few days.

[thejepo in reply to UScore]

Maybe peoples jobs are the deciding factor. After working on computers for 20 years then loosing everything during the recession i now find myself working a labour intensive 8 hour day (heavy work) i think if i was still in an office environment i would have returned after a few weeks but my body has no chance of doing this job so quickly...last time it was about six weeks before i went back and even then it was a massive struggle

[johnMiosh in reply to UScore]

I was also told to self certify, just for a week. My treatment was a hybrid ablation, with the two parts performed separately 6 months apart.

My first ablation was a mini-maze. It involved access to the outside of the heart through the chest wall. I was in hospital three days and then off work for a further two weeks (17 days total including op day (Friday) and weekends. I arranged with my boss to work from home by computer link for a couple of weeks after. In retrospect I believe I should have had a further weeks rest.

My second was an RF ablation, late in the day, so I had an overnight stay in hospital. I had arranged with work to clear my duties for three weeks just in case. In the end I had 13 days including op day (Tuesday) and weekends, and was feeling very guilty about being off when I felt so well during the second week. In fact I felt well enough to go back the day after the op.

[pottypete1]

Depends on the type if work.

I work from home freelance using a computer (not a lot of lifting involved). I was back working within a week each time ad my work is not physically taxing.

If you have a manual job then it should be longer but at the end of the day you should listen to your body.

It also depends on your employer. When I did go out to work I was lucky as my employer was understanding and generous.

However, jedimasterlincoln has had a string of issues with his poor heart and unfortunately his employers were getting less sympathetic the last time he posted.

Pete

[Zozzy]

I went back to work (from home, desk job) the afternoon I was discharged. I only worked standard hours and avoided potentially stressful calls/meetings for the first week. My first commute (train + gentle walk) was a week later.

[Upsky]

Had my 2nd ablation on Monday, felt like I’d been hit by a lorry Tuesday, I work 7 days a week all year, but as an equine groom my busiest physical months are over with the long awaited spring showing up, so I shall return Monday and be able to take it easy through summer.

I’d suggest you take whatever time you need, Drs can’t refuse to give a sick note.

Happy healing x

[Ladypaula]

I have a very physical job and work 11.5hr shifts where i am constantly on my feet and can do up to 22000 steps in a day.After my first ablation which was for atrial flutter i was off work for 3 weeks as i picked up a chest infection.After my second ablation (which was 4 months later ) for atrial fibrillation and touch up for flutter I was off work for 6 weeks i had a small pericardial effusion and I had no energy whatsoever and the slightest task left me exhausted and my heartrate would go sky high .I went back to work on a phased return and have been back 4 weeks now and am managing pretty much okay.So like others have said it depends on the nature of your job and how you are feeling everyone is different just listen to your body. The advice on this forum has been a godsend to me I don't know what I would have done without it so thankyou everyone for contributing to it .

[thejepo]

Beginning to think the reason why a lot of people do not have a successful pvi ablation is because they do not allow themselves enough time for their bodies to recover....seriously. the blanking period is three months for a reason and heart monitor and follow up is further down the line because the heart takes six months to repair. This is my opinion and you may not share my view but i want to be rid of this soul desroying illness not learn to live with it for years to come (again its only my opinion)

[MarkS]

I work for my own business and had my ablation during quite a busy contract. I went back to working from home after 3 days. Then off to a client site on the other side of the country 3 days after that. Then back to regular commuting (2 hours door to door). That wasn't ideal, ideally I'd have given it an extra 2 or 3 days as my ablation was quite long and intensive. But there's nothing like work to get your mind off your own troubles.