i start a phased return to work tomorrow at 13 weeks post op. I feel ready to work but still have concerns over long term heavy aspects of work. Without going into much details I work with children aged 0-18. The job involves quite a bit of manual handling. I have met with OH and they do not see a reason to alter my duties long term. The reasoning is that the consultant has not stated long term change in duties other than no high impact. I still worry about the impact of heavy manual handling.
The trouble with OH staff is that they have no understanding whatsoever of prolapse surgery and remember they are working in the best interests of your employer. There is no way long term you should be lifting teenagers, unless they are underweight of course. Young children and babies won't be a problem but you should speak to your GP and ask his advice.
Matron weights at the gym are high impact, so would not anything that is the same weight as the minimum weight at the gym be considered too heavy!
Phyl x☺
I'm thinking about heavy adults which 18 year olds are. They could be over 10 stone in weight or more. How much do the weights at the gym weigh phyl?
I would have thought a lot less, some toddlers can be solid. It's quite Scarry !
It is scary phyl and what concerns me with anyone who works with young adults and older people is that they are expected to just carry on as normal after this surgery and there's no restrictions. As a midwife I can remember me and another 2 midwives having to struggle lifting a 20 stone pregnant lady (so it was more than that because the baby was huge) onto the bed without any thought of the damage we were doing to ourselves or her for that matter! I know things are a bit different now with health and safety but the patient still comes first. I just wish consultants would give definitive guidelines.
Definitely agree with that!
I know you worry about your job and lifting. Did you go to work yesterday and was everything ok?
Yes, work was good, on self scan including my break for two and half hours then on till at seat for two and half hours. Ti work a bit heavier as more elderly ladies wanted help packing so felt it a bit heavier when I got home! My boss told me absolutely nor to do anything I think I can't cope with and any problems to give my team leaders a shout or phone her direct. So feel I am getting lots of support. Some of customers a bit confused when I ask them to lift there heavy cases of beers/soft drinks off the belt themselves and some customers definitely notice I'm packing lighter things and avoiding the heavier things.
Anyway about to start next shift thanks for asking, bye, phyl x☺
I agree with you Matron
Thank you Matron. I will ask the consultant when
I see her for my post op next wek although she was happy for me to go back to my day job.
Dumbbells can start at 1kg which is just over 2lbs! I'm not sure what I used at gym , I mainly done the cardiovascular training (treadmill, cross trainer, wave machine and cycles) and only used a few machines in the weightsame section (resistance stuff) .
Was going mainly for cardiovascular training and swimming.
That's ok phyl and your swimming will be doing you so much good.
Not allowed any high impact ever, instructions from physio, so will have to be content with hill walking (can be done on treadmill), swimming and limited cycling.
Not managed swimming over last 2 weeks.
Spent a week building up my walking time and was too shattered last week. Will try and get back to swimming midweek this week.
Came home yesterday and today and was nodding off on sofa, on the till for my whole shift today (12-5pm) didn't get my break till 3 pm. By 4pm was getting really sore and uncomfortable so spent last hour on my feet. The new chairs we got at Xmas are nearly all broken either the seats dint move up and down or the backs are broken and therefore have no real support!
Anyhow survived my 2 shifts this week and that's it till next Sunday! None the worse for wear, a bit nippy with overstretching so will have to be careful. Lower back and lower front a bit sore but think it's mainly muscular with using muscles not being used for a few months.
Hope your enjoying lovely weather!
Phyl x☺☺☺
You are doing really well phyl.
Hi Ptjinks
I'm 11 weeks recovery and going back to work at 14. Weeks. I think I might do the same type of work as you. The people I work with are in the age bracket of 2yrs-19 with complex issues my job is very physical and demanding not to mention stressful too.
when I go back its 3 weeks before I see consultant. But will have to have a risk assessment. I can only do what I am able and will have to rely on my team for help. Which is not ideal but it will only be for 5 weeks then we break for summer. Not sure I'm going to cope and not sure I can do it, so I know exactly how you feel. It's a big worry. Lots of love. Mik x
Hi. I work in a primary school as TA and children have special needs and some have very complex behavioural difficulties. I was concerned about going back as my head thought id be back after 6 weeks as she had a partial hysterectomy. But she has a desk job. We are very active!! I had been off before Xmas for another issue which triggered me being referred to OH. She was an ex nurse so when I told her about my op she was great saying she's make sure everything was in place and that appropriate supposed was in place. If I'm allowed back after 12 weeks I'll only have 1 1/2 weeks before summer holidays and I'm doing it phased return. But once sept came around I do worry about my limitations and reminding myself not to do certain things. Hope you're managing ok.
Hi thinks
I had a prolaps op 18 months ago. I work in a PRU with year 1O /11 and cover primary when necessary. Have found it difficult to manage and don't do team teach to physical. Sort of decided need a desk job with absolutely no lifting. You may be different but it's a risk to start handling the kids.I did try at first but caused swelling in the lower adomen. I constantly do pelvic floor exersises which have helped. It's difficult to find a job that would suit our limited
Lifting power.
Sorry its not more positive. I do have another friend who had a prolaps op and is a cook and she is fine. So you may be ok you will know as your body lets you know
All the best with your recovery
Kay
Hi all. Thank you for your replies. Ive been back three weeks now light duties only on a phased return. The consultant felt that I should be OK as long as I stick to manual handling guidelines. O/H agreed no heavy work for 6 weeks. I still do have concerns but will be extra careful long term risk assess etc and try to change career path long term. At the moment i don't have a choice.
Hi Ptjinks,
Glad to hear you have managed to sort out lighter duties on return to work, am I right that you are about 16 weeks post op (about 1 week ahead of me) ?
I only saw OH once and she insisted I could go back to work at 3/4weeks to normal duties, so I refused to sign her report in agreement.
My employer did ask if I wanted another appointment with OH at my back to work appointment; didn't think there was any point as OH wouldn't even aknowledge that I needed light duties for a while if not longterm.
Feel that I have no support though if employers push me back to normal too quickly as happened on Sunday where I was on my feet for 4 hours and had lower aching back for last hour.
Have not recovered properly this week, seems to have weakend my pelvic floor been finding it really difficult to do pelvic floor exercises this week. Hope I will have recovered by my next shift on Sunday morning.
My line manager has since said to get a chair from the cafe so I can sit if need be while it is quiet. So will do that in future, just hope I've not done any permanent damage meanwhile.
Like you I know that I should be looking for something else; but been trying to get something less heavy for years, in fact since I first realised I had prolapse problems but very little opportunities are available that are more suitable and it often comes down to competing either others who gave more experience in other kinds of employment!
Let's face it what employer in there right mind is going to take on an employee with history of weak pelvic floor and 10 years off retirement?
Any way good luck with continued support and hope you find something more suitable if need be.
Phyl x☺☺☺