How long did you take off work post cholesystectomy

everthesame, LPN, LVN · Feb 11, 2008

I was off for 3 weeks. That first shift back was a killer though. Pain-wise it was okay once I changed out of my elastic waisted scrub pants and into drawstring scrubs. My main problem for the first few shifts back to work was fatigue. I only worked 8 hour shifts back then but by about the fifth or sixth hour I was ready for a nap. But still, it was better than I had felt in the weeks prior to surgery.

Luv2BAnurse · Feb 11, 2008

Had mine on Monday and went back to work Thursday. Only had steri strips. By the way, I was precepting, and did not have any heavy lifting.

chadash · Feb 11, 2008

I was just wondering how long those nurses who have had a Lap Chole stayed off work?
I am having my staples removed on wednesday and plan on returning to work on Monday which will be 2 weeks post op.
I still ache and dont want to return too soon, especially with moving and handling pt's wnd my work load normally being heavy.
So is 2 weeks about average???

I think you need to take light duty for a couple days to test it out. My daughter did well after laproscopic surgery, but then got kicked in the stomach at work when she got back. Stuff happens. And no surgery is typical.

Piki · Feb 11, 2008

Two weeks. I actually went back after one week for a classroom class I didn't want to miss (I was a GN, this was for a med-surg review - a few weeks before I sat my boards).

No staples or sutures to remove on mine. I had the dissolvable internal sutures and dermabond on the outside.

bettyboop · Feb 11, 2008

If i was expected to reurn to work i would make sure i was on light dutys if thats not possible would make sure i was 100% first you and your health matter, I do think we push ourselves and pts much more these days, not always a good thing. I think its hard not to in this day and age with financial constraints and of course bosses breathing down ur neck.

Get better first madwife:D

banditrn · Feb 11, 2008

I had mine in 1990 - I was the first lap chole that they did at our hospital. I stayed home a week (the surgeon wanted two, but I couldn't afford it.) and the first shift back was rocky, but after that it was OK.

Lucy4 · Feb 12, 2008

I was off 2 weeks and felt great when went back to work. Big mistake was retuning to work for 3 consecutive 12 hour shifts. Was completely exhausted and barely made it to work the 2nd and 3rd days. Good Luck!

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 12, 2008

I had what was to have been a lap chole done nearly 3 weeks ago, ended up with 2 lg incisions and 2 lap incision with 15 staple total and went back to work 10 days post-op. Probably shouldn't have gone back that soon (I was very sore after that 1st shift) but I couldn't afford to stay home any longer. I am finally feeling better now though my largest incision (about 3 inches long) is still tender. Just take it easy if you can and keep tyl with you.

Ten days with an open chole? I'm amazed. I have taken care of quite a few of those, pre-laparascope days, and would expect 4-6 weeks of recovery time. Those were quite painful!

I was extremely thankful to have had the lap done. I had no staples, sutures, nor dermabond, just band-aids, BTW.

sharlynn · Feb 12, 2008

I was back within 7 days, but no lifting >5 pounds for 2 weeks.

Same for me.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 12, 2008

I was out in the yard pulling weeds four days after my lap chole, and went back to work on a med/surg floor within a week of the surgery. Looking back, I realize I probably shouldn't have---I certainly wouldn't advise a patient to resume full physical activity that soon!---but I did fine and had no ill effects.