Ablation and time off work

[Dickieticker]

Hi

I have been given a date for my ablation, the 8th December. I wasn't expecting it so soon, but I'm pleased its being done. My question is about returning to work. I work nights, driving is part of my job and I work in care so lots of rolling and helping people out of bed etc.. Quite a heavy job. What would be a reasonable time to tell my employers I won't be able to work,? I do appreciate everyone is different so just a general idea would be good.

Thanks

Anita

[Sfhmgusa]

Hi as you can guess his is a very individual thing but from what you say I would expect 4 weeks as a minimum based on

week 1 doing nothing just resting at home This is a really vital one

week 2 gentle gentle stuff but not work driving lifting

week3-4 getting yourself ready to work

week 5 gentle introduction driving yes but heavy lifting I think needs to wait longer

The post ablation fact sheet is brilliant if you have not already read it

[LordGabriel]

I was given 5 weeks off but I could have easily got more if needed.

[Blondie1985]

I've had four ablations since 2017, and I am now waiting for my fifth. I work in a SEN school which is quite an active/physical job. On the four previous occasions I've gone back to work within 2-3 weeks. My GP has always been happy to sign me back. Although I could probably take longer if I felt unwell. However, I've always felt really well post-procedure, no aches or pains ect. If I needed to take longer I would.

[CDreamer]

As it is so individual it is really difficult to say as people like Jedimaster will testify. I had a sedentary job and was OK to work part-time after 10 days but I got very fatigued, very quickly and that was a trigger for ectopics and AF. Variables include age, your general health and fitness and the skill of your EP.

In your shoes, I would ask for 4 weeks with a graduated return to work.

You may find reading the posts of Kaz and Jedimaster on this subject interesting of the different approaches employers have. Ablation is still a major procedure to recover from and what I know from experience is that do too much too soon ends in the Acute Cardiac Unit.

Have you read the Recovering from Ablation - what to expect - from AFA? heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[Dickieticker]

Thanks everyone. I managed to get through to the cardiac nurse at the hospital and she said it will be a month off work to start with. I'm busy reading everything I can now about the procedure.