How long were you off work after Open Heart surgery?

[Vicky12345678]

Can I ask how long those in paid employment were off work for after Open Heart surgery (planned/elective)?

[Hidden]

28 months.

But you need to take into account the reason for the OHS not just peoples answers.

e.g. Elective surgery is 'likely' to result in a far quicker recovery than someone who has emergency surgery.

[Vicky12345678 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Hidden - good point! Mine was elective so I guess that's what I was more wondering about.

[dagger1947 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gaz_chops,

I had an elective triple heart bypass at 45 and I was off work for 2 months.

Hope this helps and the very best of luck to you.

Cheers

Nick

[Nic25]

It's going to depend massively on what you do Vicky and how smoothly everything goes. The minimum is normally 6-8 weeks but if you're doing a physical or manual job they suggest (from memory) three months minimum, but worth checking the latest advice.

Basically the sternum has to knit fully back together and that does take time; you don't want to rush it. I also found I was in a complete fog of exhaustion for about six weeks, so stamina can be an issue too.

In my case, I'm self-employed but also work from home largely just tapping away at a computer. To that end, physically - if the bailifs had been at the door etc - I would technically have been 'able' to work on the day I came out of hospital, as I was perfectly able to sit at a desk and reach a keyboard! However, my op was two years tomorrow (Dec 13) and so I'd worked hard to get ahead with stuff and told all my clients I'd be out of action until the end of January at the earliest.

I was glad I did because of the exhaustion and needing to rebuild mental and physical stamina. In the event I did have to start doing some work - a few hours here and there - mid/two-thirds of the way through January (which I wasn't vastly pleased about as it was earlier than I'd intended but felt I had little choice). And then I did a first work trip first week of Feb which, again, felt too early (I felt really emotionallly wobbly even though in fact, physically, things were fine), as I'd said I wasn't going to travel for work before the eight-week check-up, which (again from memory) happened the following week.

However, by comparison the guy in the bed opposite me in hospital was a landscape gardener (so quite a physical job). We coincidentally met again at the eight-week check-up (it was supposed to be six but with Christmas in between ended up being eight) and he at that point hadn't yet started back at work at all and wasn't planning to do so for a week or so more (he was also self-employed and so calling his own shots).

Obviously if you're employed by a company they may have policies and protocols you'll need to follow. But I hope that helps in giving a steer from at least my own experience. And if OHS is looming for you very best of luck! Take care.

Nic x

[Hidden]

Hi Vicky. I went back to work approx 12 weeks after my open heart surgery followed by three weeks of phased return to work (working reduced hours at home before my works OH would let me physically return). As I had my surgery this year Covid complicated matters but both the cardio rehab nurse and my GP, I spoke to both on the phone, were very inisitant that I left it 12 weeks before returning to work. My job is rather stressful and involves quite a physical component (I easily walk 10,000 plus steps at work everyday). Even after 15 weeks post op, counting the phased return, I found fatigue a real issue and still do at 10 months post op.

[Midgeymoo17]

I was not in paid employemnt at the time of my surgery- it was the university summer holidays. The new term started (I think) 8 weeks post surgery so. Having been told 6-8 weeks by my surgeon ( and no suggestion this was a minimum) I thought it would be fine. It was not. It was too early. I could go about three hours in a lecture theatre before the pain started and one day I had six hours of pain. The pain meant going to the shop was difficult and I had o do smaller shops less regularly- having delivery was not easy as I was in an secure appartment block. This took time and energy. And fatigue made cooking difficult. In retrospective at 8 weeks I was ready to do more but was not ready for full time. Phased return was not an option at my Uni but seriously next time (if my recovery was similar)I would started phased return at 8 weeks.

[Jay777 in reply to Midgeymoo17]

Hi, the organisation are obliged to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate a phased return if recommended by your GP and you should receive your usual pay during this period. Usually universities are quite hot on following Acas code.

[Midgeymoo17 in reply to Jay777]

i was a student not a member of staff. Graduated this summer.

[Jay777]

Hi Vicky

I planned to be off for three months if I was commuting but as still working from home I did a four week phased return after eight weeks.

First week back on full time hours was more tiring than I expected and couldn’t really have gone back much earlier than 8 weeks and been effective as wasn’t sleeping well at night so needed naps in the day.

I have a desk job and toyed with the idea of going back earlier but it’s really important post op to keep active as possible and so I was advised not to. Phone calls are ok to keep moving about but video meetings not practical.

If you are employed you should have access to the Sickness Absence policy which will inform you about paid /unpaid sick leave and your GP will provide a “Fit Note” (used to be called a Sick Note) for the period and can also recommend a phased return so do discuss with them. It’s important that any sickness absence longer than 7 days are certified by a GP if your company has paid company sick pay which is a higher level than SSP (statutory sick pay).

All the very best for your surgery.

PS: just to add hospital advised me to shield for 8 weeks post surgery due to Covid risk.

[Tessie28]

I'm a supply teacher and still am off work due to the threat of catching the virus. Nine long months!

[tapfoot in reply to Tessie28]

Me too. Had AVR end of July and took first supply job end of October. Just 2 days a week - college so it was possible to socially distance but I was worried and the long days left me exhausted. I'm looking to try again in January. Wish I didn't have to, though. Good luck for your eventual return.

[Tessie28 in reply to tapfoot]

Thank you, it is a nightmare for sure. Yes with the little ones it is impossible. Miss children and adults and feel lonely for sure . x

[Hidden]

Hi Vicky, most doctors lie about recovery time. If they told you truth noone would get under knife. Frankly, I had 2 stents in Aug this year and its 4 months I am still ot feeling as before though I have improved but thee medicines make to tired, lifeless, dizzy, nauseous and terrible. It takes time may be 5-7 months for body to heal and get use to terrible statins, blood thinners and beta blockers plus other medicines to get use to. It is a slow painful yet rewarding process at the end. Don't believe an early 2-3 months prep talk by doctor/ nurse expect atleast 6 months fir things to be a bit in control and manageable! Good luck

[FreedomOne]

Hi Vicky, I was advised if you can take 3 months then do so because they said you will think/feel your alright to go back earlier but physically and possibly mentally your body will have the additional stresses of work whereas you would have just been used to recuperating. I went back after 9 weeks with a phased return, short hours which over a period of a few weeks weeks were increased until full time. 9 weeks was just about right, did think/feel I was alright to go back but definitely felt it after returning to work, tiring. Any earlier than 9 weeks would have been a lot harder!

[SecondOHS]

I think I'm the exception here. After my aortic root replacement (elective) under open heart surgery, I was back at work, from home, 10 days after surgery. I can do everything from a laptop, so didn't require any physical effort. However, it took a while to be able to work a full day. Was exhausted most of the time for 3-4 weeks.

I will say that was a bit too early, however, by doing things I found what my limits were

[Fish4Info]

I was off for about 2 months after a CABG×4 about 14 years ago when I was 47 - no heart attack. I then had a phased return over about a month. I had an office job. My advice is to look on return to work as a positive step in the road to normality. However with perfect hindsight I probably went back to work maybe a week or two too early. It's knackering. Heart ops take it out of you. Discuss how you feel with your Dr and see if s/he can help decide when is best for you. You don't need to be a hero ... so don't be. 😉

[Scratchfire]

I was back as an operational firefighter after 3 months.I had a mitral valve repair via minimal access .

Hope this helps.

Good luck.