Time off after double mastectomy with reconstruction

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Jrachelle
Jrachelle Member Posts: 8
edited February 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I am having BMX with reconstruction (implants) 2/12. I have so many questions and concerns but my most immediate concern is this. My plastic surgeon thinks 3 weeks off is enough time and breast surgeon says 4. I am shocked and worried. I have a very physically demanding job and work 12 hour shifts (RN). Frequent heavy lifting and pushing beds on top of other things. I have told them. The nurse says she will try to get 6 weeks approved. This is stressing more than the cancer diagnosis right now. Has anyone been ready to go back to work in 3-4 weeks?

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  • Wendiwithani
    Wendiwithani Member Posts: 108
    edited February 2018

    Hi, Jrachelle. My situation was not the same as yours, but I will share my experience with you. I had a uni MX with no immediate reconstruction. I have a desk job and was off for four weeks and needed every single day of it. Personally, I cannot imagine being ready to go back to doing anything that requires heavy lifting or pushing for much longer than four weeks.

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  • Nursepatient35
    Nursepatient35 Member Posts: 166
    edited February 2018

    Jrachelle

    I am also an RN having a bmx with TE's placed 2/14. I couldn't get a straight answer about restrictions from my PS. He pushed off my FMLA paperwork too so wasn't sure what to do. Nurses obviously do lots of lifting, pushing, etc. I finally just talked to my PS's nurse and said I'd like to try taking 6 weeks off. Of course nurses get it done and my job got the paperwork faxed the next day with 6 weeks written on it. Maybe try that route. I guess if I feel wonderful and am bored at home, I can come back sooner but I'm doubtful that will be the case.

    Good luck with your surgery. We'll get through this.

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  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited February 2018

    I dont have a physically demanding job, but I had a dbl with immediate implants. I work in a school. Went back to work in 3 weeks, but I felt I was ok . By that time I could pretty much raise my arms up above my head without trouble. Lifting would be a different thing. I was told by my PS to limit the amount of weight I lifted for the first few weeks. I would definitely question the weight limit issue

    Point is, everyone is different and healing times are different and throw in other variables, healing times will vary.

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