Work query - time off for lap with excision

[gettingusedtoendo]

Hi there

Just wanted to see other people’s experiences really.

I’m going to be having a lap with confirmed excision (due to adhesions and cystic areas seen on MRI) and a fallopian tube dye test as MRI suggests I have adenomyosis too. As I have a large adhesion on my bowel there’s the possibility of an overnight stay.

I am wondering how I go about time off from work and wondered how others approached this. Did you self cert or get signed off? I am thinking I can self cert for a week and then WFH if necessary? If signed off, was this done before or after your op?

My work is office based but I have to commute and walk quite a distance and can do my job just as well from home.

Work also has a thing about using annual leave rather than sick leave for hospital things but would I be right in thinking this should definitely be sick leave?

Many thanks!

[EndoSuckss]

Hi! This should defo be sick leave, in my opinion! I've just had my 2nd lap a month ago. I was given a sick note for 2 weeks on both occasions - I could have asked for further time after the initial 2 weeks if needed, but I was ready to return to my office job after the 2 weeks on both occasions (albeit not 100%, but defo well enough to sit at my desk!)

Hope it all goes well xxx

[gettingusedtoendo in reply to EndoSuckss]

Thanks so much. I feel silly but can I check, did you get your sick note after the lap or before?

[EndoSuckss in reply to gettingusedtoendo]

Not silly at all! I got it on discharge from hospital. So I just sent a copy to my manager when I felt up to it a couple of days later x

[lwendo]

Definitely sick leave. The hospital gave me a sick note on the day of the op for 2 weeks minimum rest. Hope your op goes well

[gettingusedtoendo in reply to lwendo]

Thank you!

[EndoJaz]

I was off for 6 weeks for my last excision, it all depends on the individual. Don’t rush or you will be worse in the long run. Take your time to heal properly, your health is the most important thing. Hope all goes well xx

[gettingusedtoendo in reply to EndoJaz]

Thanks so much, this is good to know.

I think because it’s possible for me to WFH I’ve been worrying there’ll be pressure on me to do that rather than rest. But this has been eye-opening thank you

[EndoJaz in reply to gettingusedtoendo]

No way can you work even from home, you need to recover properly. Gosh what sort of employer tells staff to have sick as annual leave, surely you can get some advice from a union or ACAS about this. Please stick to your guns and have a proper rest to recover from this xx

[Bikergal900]

This is definitely sick leave and you should not feel pressured to WFH until you are feeling fit and well enough. I was off work for 8 weeks after my lap and excision. I got a post op infection in one of the wounds which was unforseen.You have no idea how your body will respond and how quickly you will recover. If you do too much too soon you could end up needing more time off than if you had rested properly. The best you can do is keep them updated and try to give them some notice if you need to extend your leave.

The hospital will provide you with a sick note when you are discharged.

Hope it all goes well for you

[KTJohnson]

Like other posters.. definitely sick leave and you can get extension from your GP if not ready to return after initial note runs out. Depends on your employer/length of employment on sick leave entitlement. I’ve had to use annual leave in previous roles (had 3 operations in 4yrs!) so good to have that conversation with HR up front as I got a nasty sting 4yrs ago when found out I wasn’t eligible for sick leave. Agree with everyone else… you need to recover. I was adamant after every op I’ve had I’d be up abs about and active within days and each op has taken longer for me to recover. Sleep is the best medicine. The external scars are tiny and heal quickly but internally you need to let your body recover - don’t rush yourself! Sleep, rest and good luck. X