Published Feb 11, 2008
madwife2002, BSN, RN
26 Articles; 4,777 Posts
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???
santhony44, MSN, RN, NP
1,703 Posts
I had mine on a Friday, went home Saturday, and was back at work on Monday. However, I'm a FNP in a clinic and knew that I would not be required to do any lifting and so forth. By two weeks, though, I couldn't tell I'd had anything done.
I think I was supposed to stay out for two weeks!
oregonchinamom
80 Posts
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 stayed home a month. I was very overweight at the time, however.
Fiona59
8,343 Posts
We tell our patients 4-6 weeks, depends on what they do for a living.
I love my cat!
630 Posts
I was back within 7 days, but no lifting >5 pounds for 2 weeks.
MikeyJ, RN
1,124 Posts
I had an appendectomy last Friday and my manager wanted me back to work on our pediatric floor less than a week later. With a few pain killers, I probably could have... but my surgeon put a stop to that. I could tell my manager was "disgusted" that I did not return to work but I would rather take it easy and take care of my health.
justrissy
69 Posts
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.
StrwbryblndRN
658 Posts
i work the floor my surgeon's post ops come to. He knew what i did for a living and said 4 weeks but would settle for 3 if surgery did ok. I went back in 3. There was no way of getting around going back earlier. This is his standard.
My next door neighbor had an open choli (I had a lap choli) with an infection and got the ok for two weeks. It was the same surgical group but different docs.
I could have gone back in about 2 weeks but no earlier. But it made for a nice vacation though.
BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN
1,236 Posts
I had mine on thursday,.went back to work the next tuesday (my next scheduled shift),.but I had no sutures or staples to remove? ( you did say LAP chole right?)
dragonfly43
6 Posts
I, also, had this done and returned to work exactly 2 weeks post op. I was not allowed to handle any patients though. I worked nights in LTC so it was mainly pushing the med cart and paperwork so I did okay. My staff was aware that I would not be able to help them with patients. I had sutures removed about a week post.
nightmare, RN
1 Article; 1,297 Posts
I was off 6 weeks with a lap! But that was on docs.orders because,once back to work,I would be doing heavy M & H(this was back in the 90's)However I did get paid sick leave so that was OK!
Yep I was shocked myself but I have four wounds all with staples