Returning to work post-surgery

[Seaguller]

Hi. Anyone recently had open heart surgery and returned to work? How was it and what sort of timescales did you experience?

[Heather1957]

I was discharged by the surgeon after 6 weeks when I had my bypass in 2017, I was also allowed to drive after the 6 weeks.At that time I was self employed and didn't undertake any work for 3 months. My work was not physical just office based, I am sure the type of work will control the length of time you take off.

[G0dfather]

I had open heart surgery 1st November 2021. I've just been given another sick note that takes me up to 7th February that will be 13 weeks off if I go back then. Although I work in an office the Cardiac nurses told me 3 months 12 weeks is normal and don't hurry back before then. We are all dispensible at work and I'm not worrying about going back to work I'm sure they can cope without me.

[21Ashtonrd in reply to G0dfather]

I went back to work after about three months on a fazed return, but for me it was to early, everyone is different so don’t rush it, in total I was of for about six months as I was ill before my op , financial if your not getting paid by your company then the sick pay is about £90 a week, not good, so a lot of people end up going back to work to soon.

[Runningman55]

Hi, I had my bypass and was off for 3 months. This was followed by a phased return over three months that started at 2 half days a week and build up to 5 full days over three months. Occupational health team at work were very supportive. Everyone is different, make sure you talk to GP and workplace team.

[Coper10]

HiI had 12 weeks off, then a phased return over 6 weeks building up gradually. Main problem I had was extreme tiredness which meant full-time was a bit too much (it was also a new job that I had just started before getting poorly so I had a lot of new information to take in). I have reduced to 4 days a week on a temporary basis for 6 months but may look to make this change permanent if possible due to fatigue. It will be 12 months at the end of March since my op. Luckily my work have been very understanding and supportive.

[Rogo23]

I had a bit of a clicky sturmun so was not signed off until week 12, I started light work at that point.I am a builder.

I am now probably at about 85-90% of my pre op strength, I still get tired more easily than before, but I recently laid a sandstone patio.

Everyone is different, and it's luck of the draw on the speed of your recovery and return to work.

The most important thing is,if you feel like something is not right,or possibly you are pushing too hard,stop.

Take a step back and reassess it's better to slow things down than push too much and wind up with'issues'.

I realised two weeks after restarting with a very gentle return that I was going too fast, so slowed down and reassessed.

Make your employer awear that the is a possibility that you could have a backward step occasionally, but it is perfectly possible to get back into a normal work pattern.

In my case it's still a ongoing matter but every week I get a little bit stronger.

Good luck, but remember talking a little time during the recovery is better than having to go back to hospital.

[NyMets]

Hi, like most posts, go steady, listen to your body and doctors/physios advice. Take time in the first couple of months to exercise steadily bot not ott — that can really tire you and it can take a few days to feeling ok again. I went back after 10 weeks, phased return 3 days staggered mon, wed and Thurs but did find it very tiring (office job) and sleeping on and off in the evenings. It is now 6 months and I’m full time again but listening to my body… but I took precautions of scheduling holidays, the odd day until end of Feb to really ease back. It takes time and we’re all different of course but also do not feel guilty about contact hospital/GP. Also, I had a few infections to chest scar and with current GP service was nervous about being seen … hospital told me to tell them I was “low tolerance” patient and was seen immediately.

[Steve_G]

I think you can see from the responses that it depends on you as an individual, your recovery and the kind of work you do. I had a triple bypass end-Nov 2018 and went back to work early February the following year but my recovery was uncomplicated and my job is office and knowledge based. I was ready to go back whereas others might not have been. There’s no hard and fast rules other than to do it your own time and be realistic about what you can do.

[MumaLines]

Hi Seaguller,

I went back 3 months after on a phase return. I can remember being exhausted so if you can financially afford it go back after 4 months.

[ChoochSiesta in reply to MumaLines]

If you can afford it, don't go back at all 😉