I have my 6 week check tomorrow which I think will probably go ok. I can walk quite well without any aids although I have to concentrate so I don't fall into my old pattern of limping and I am generally pain free - just some aches when I have over done it. I am going to ask if I can go back to work on Monday 5th Oct but I am a bit worried if I can cope with a full day of teaching - a bit different from the rather pleasant routine I have at the moment!
How have others coped with returning to work? Has it been easier than you were expecting? What should I watch out for?
This forum has been so reassuring during this whole experience - I really appreciate the guidance I have received.
Carole
Hi carole
If I were you I would leave it for quite a while yet.I would reckon having a job working on your feel.all day you'd need nearer 10 or 12 weeks
I had my op in October 2008 and about a month later I was made redundant.
I signed myself off the sick straightaway but if I had got a job offer I knew I have struggled
When I did get a job even though I could cycle and walk and had even run tentatively being stood up on a factory shop floor was a huge shock.
I'd been promised light duties at my original firm which would have been fine.
Hi carole glad to hear all good as we the same I went 6 week check today all good TEDS off and had little drive (bit nippy by scar and back of knee) . Walking no aids and doing well increasing distance by day . Good on you re return to work I seriously am not up to it and was pre signed off 12 weeks as I am dental therapist and treat special needs patients including wheelchair bound patients in a busy nhs clinic so bending hoisting etc still not good idea . I personally still find concentration an issue. However lots of hippies have gone back to work asap so it's individual dicision. Can you do phased return?
Take it easy do what's right for you carole
Regards Denise
I had my first hip done one june and returned to work at the start of the autumn term. I was fine but that was nearly 3 months later. i'd be a bit wary so soon especially if it was primary teaching. You wouldn't want young children banging into you. it might be different with older children. do you have to stand all day or can you sit down. Lots to think about before you take the plunge!
Thanks Larry. It must have been a horrible shock being made redundant especially when you were having to cope with recovering. Hope all is ok with you now.
I think I need to think seriously about the impact of standing all day at the moment.
Carole
Lovely to hear from you Denise. Glad all went well for you today - glad both of us recovered from our little blip a couple of weeks ago.
I am now thinking that I should do a phased return. I have a lovely Year 11 class who I only teach in the mornings so perhaps half days might work. I am also a bit worried about my concentration but I think that might be because I am feeling quite relaxed now!
All the best
Carole
Hi carole
yeah it wasn't food
As you'll know, it's an emotional time and with all that time on my hands I just dwelled on any little ache or pain I had.
In may of this year I started back at the same firm.
Yes I think it's a good idea to have a good think about going back so soon
Take care anyway and food luck
Is there no way you can do a phased return? That's what I'm going to ask for but I teach in a prison, security issues say that I need an officer around - in case!
Keep us posted but take it slowly
Denise
Thanks annedi. I am secondary so not quite as intense. There certainly is a lot to think about! I admire your timing!
Hi Carol as you have read from the experienced Hippies,I agree it is a bit too soon,3/4 months is about right,but only if it's right for you,those extra few weeks make all the difference,so glad you are doing so well God Bless Michael.
If you still have aches when you overdo it maybe it's a little early to return to an intense job like teaching. If I overdo it one day at least I've got the next to recover, but I'd hate to go back to work and not have that option. I admire your commitment for even thinking about it!
Hi Carole,
I'm perhaps not best placed to reply since I've not had my operation yet, but when the surgeon told me that 12 weeks was the normal recovery time, that is what I told them at work and that is the cover that they have put in place. I also am a teacher, though in HE, so it's not quite so full on as your teaching will be. My admin duties have also been reallocated and I'm hoping to be able to work on research after a few weeks. When I go back I'm also expecting a phased return, which I would have thought is the norm. I've put in a lot of years with my employer, always given of my best, so now I'm expecting to be left to heal at my own pace.
Thank you very much everyone who has replied. I saw my lovely surgeon this morning who was very pleased with my outcome. We discussed me returning to work - he was happy for me to go back on Monday but following the advice here I am going for a phased return until half term. This means only teaching 4 out of 5 lessons and finishing at 1 so no after school meetings but I can still teach my Year 11s! Good outcome I think!
Thanks again everyone.
Carole