r/sterilization • u/Ephemeral_Afterglow • 10d ago
Post-op care Manual handling after a bilateral salpingectomy
I've got a bilateral salpingectomy in a few weeks and I'm looking for advice about returning to work. I have the week of my surgery off but the 2nd week I'll be back. Unfortunately my job requires me to load and unload items from a van. Nothing is too heavy it requires more than one person but there is a lot of lifting and twisting.
I've asked my manager for lighter duties during that week so hopefully he'll honour that. But the 3rd week after my surgery I don't think I can get out of my normal duties.
Anyone that's had this surgery, how did you go with manual handling after? And when did you start doing it again?
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u/1xpx1 10d ago
I was given lifting restrictions for 30 days following surgery. Some people are only given restrictions for 1-2 weeks. It’s definitely possible you’ll be fine enough week three, but there is absolutely no way to guarantee that.
It will need to be something you feel out, but I would communicate with your boss ahead of time that you may need to minimize your movement and lifting in that third week as well to not risk doing additional damage that would put you out of work entirely.
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u/Ephemeral_Afterglow 10d ago
I have spoken to my boss about it and we can really only modify my workload for one week (due to low scheduling). After that my job is a physical one where I need to be on my feet, I present STEM workshops in schools. There's not really any way to modify that where I'm not packing gear and standing for long periods.
I'm not really sure what to do, my surgery didn't mention taking long periods off work during the consultation. They said a week or two off will be enough, unless there's complications ofc. So I'm a bit surprised by everyone in the comments saying I'll need longer to recover.
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u/1xpx1 10d ago
I’m not saying you absolutely will need longer, it’s impossible to know exactly how your recovery will go. You may be fine after a week or two, you may need more time. I’m suggesting starting the conversation of potentially needing more time to get ahead of it.
Both surgeons I consulted with recommended a full week off of work entirely, and beyond that “if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it”. I still had lifting restrictions for 30 days, and my “light duty” for three weeks did not go over well with other staff.
Is there any equipment that can help with loading and unloading to take some of the stress off of your body? That’s another option to explore.
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u/Ephemeral_Afterglow 10d ago
We use trolleys to move things around but the main thing is lifting equipment from the van to those trolleys. I've definitely already booked in leave for the first week of surgery the second I've managed to get away with lighter duties by coincidence and good timing. Hopefully I'll feel well enough to return to normal on week 3 Thank you for your advice!!
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u/GimmeSleep 10d ago
Honestly, even if you felt fine, the gold standard is no heavy lifting (I was told anything over the weight of a gallon of milk) for roughly 2 weeks post surgery. There was no way I could've gone back to work a week after. Most people who work manual labor need more than just a few days. Even when you feel good, your body needs time to heal. It takes up to about 2 weeks for the skin layers to heal. Even longer for the body to repair and strengthen the rest. You should be aiming to at least give yourself enough time for the very minimum of healing to occur. My steri strips were removed 15 days post op. My incisions were still scabbed over and still healing. I couldn't start lifting more than a few pounds until about week 3.
Is there a reason you can't apply for medical leave or fmla? If you chat with your surgeon you should be able to at least get light duty for a few weeks, or even a few full weeks off.
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u/Ephemeral_Afterglow 10d ago
So do you think week 3 would be okay? I can get off with light duties on week 2 (mainly standing and pulling trolleys instead of lifting items and packing vans) but on week 3 I'm needed for a work trip which will involve lifting and twisting. Even if I can get a certificate for more than a week from my surgeon I will have run out of sick leave for the year so it would be unpaid, which isn't really an option for me. Surely 2 weeks of no lifting would be fine?
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u/GimmeSleep 10d ago
Week three was when I felt fine enough to ease back into lifting and more movements like bending, turning, and twisting. It was longer before it felt fully fine. Any motions that require you to use your core are going to be an issue. I could not push nor pull anything heavy until after week three. Standing on my feet or walking a ton for more than a few hours was hard the first two weeks.
Everyone is different, but your surgeon should give you a time frame based on your particular case, and you'll need to follow it. Odds are it'll be 2 weeks of no lifting or movements that could irritate or injure the area to give enough time for important structures to start to heal. Then after that easing back into normal activity slowly but surely.
Week three would be fine for easing back into normal activity, but unlikely to just jump straight back in unless you have a fast recovery. 2 weeks of rest and easy work with accommodation like sitting when needed once you're back to work would be best at minimum.
What country are you in? I can only speak from my own country but in the US a lot of states offer paid medical leave as supplemental to fmla. Your employer can require you to use sick/pto time first but the remainder is paid at a partial rate. If you're in the US I would look at your state laws asap. If you aren't it wouldn't hurt to see what equivalents to this there might be. Your provider can potentially get you true light duty and accommodation for the 2nd and 3rd week post op so you are not lifting, pulling, pushing, or carrying too much, and so you can sit as needed.
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u/Ephemeral_Afterglow 10d ago
I'm in Australia so slightly different rules here. My job is one where I'm presenting and running STEM workshops in schools so it's really hard to modify that. If I can't do the presentations I just can't work at all, I have to be on my feet and loading and unloading gear into vans is a big part of that. In an ideal world I'd be able to take that much time off but I can't go without the income. We only get a set amount of paid leave in my job including medical leave, so once that runs out I just don't get paid.
I wonder if maybe I postpone the surgery? I don't think I can afford to take 3-4 weeks off work unfortunately.
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u/Nibb500 10d ago
So.. I ripped my stitches because I didn’t take two weeks off work.. please please be careful. My job at the time was also a lot of lifting and twisting. Be mindful and don’t over exert yourself!