When did you go back to work??

I first posted on here in the beginning of August to say that I had just found out I was getting a PM... still don't have it... it is very frustrating because they tell me I need it for all these reasons and then make me wait. Anyways... everyone was so helpful with my last question and I thought of another one. Can you guys tell me from your experiences how long you were out of work after the implantation of your PM. I have a desk job and don't do alot of lifting or anything but I see on here that some people are off for three weeks! I am going to get my PM buried behind my breast tissue... will that make me off work longer?? Tell me your experiences. Thanks!!

4 Comments

Hi!

by dw5281 - 2008-10-06 04:10:24

Definately don't go back til the dr gives the say so - going back too early would be awful! I actually had 6 weeks off in the end (had trouble getting a dr's note to go back to work & got an extra week!) but I'm a PE teacher so I do A LOT of activity!

I defiantely got annoyed getting dressed/undressed i felt useless - its frustrating! Mine is under my collar bone but I still found an extra pillow between my arm & chest really helpful. Doing your hair & make up with one hand is eye-opening - you dont realise how much you need both hands for doing simple tasks!

The point about a button up blouse is excellent - I had a hooded jumper - big mistake!! But very amusing to watch me struggle I'm sure! the post about the xray technician reminded me of when I had to have one to be discharged - they told me to put both my arms over my head & were a little p****d off when i said that I couldnt - most helpful!!

Good luck x

days not weeks

by winesap - 2008-10-06 07:10:50

Surgery on Wednesday, discharged Friday (As soon as INR was above 2 - I take wafarin). Telecommuted full time beginning on Monday (had a few naps during the first week) and back in the office full time the following Monday. I'm a 58 year old male - surgery was last December.

mine is behind the breast also

by Tracey_E - 2008-10-06 11:10:54

Burying it will make your recovery a bit longer but it is soooo worth it in the end! If you have a desk job it shouldn't delay getting back to work. The delay is in how long it takes until you can lift weight and bend/stretch in any direction, not how long until you feel human again.

I was back at work within a week, and that includes an extra 3 days in the hospital because I had an allergic reaction to the pain meds. And I wouldn't have even taken the pain meds except they needed an xray before I was discharged to make sure the leads were in place and the $*%^ xray technician yanked my arm over my head. Until he did that, I was getting by just fine on tylenol and ready to go home!

Dressing and fixing hair was my biggest problem because your left arm can't go above your head and your left side will be sore if you twist too far. I wore baggy tops that I could pull on easily, or that buttoned up the front. I really really hate going bra-less so after the first week or so, I wore the tanks with the built in shelf bras until I could wear a regular bra again (8-10 weeks). And that was only because they made my incision exactly where the underwire hits (male surgeons, lol) so it took a while to heal enough to take the pressure.

Two tips I always give the women...
Wear a button up blouse to the hospital so you don't have to pull something over your head to come home.

Try hugging a pillow to your side with your left arm when you sleep. It'll keep your arm in place, keep you from rolling over on it, and also take the pressure off your incision. I found the weight of my breast pressed on the stitches when I was lying in bed.

Good luck!!! Please let me know if you have other questions about the placement or recovery.

days to return

by rshell - 2008-10-27 11:10:47

Surgery on Thursday back to work on Monday, 53 year old male. Desk job worked half days, keyboard was a pain didn't realize how much you used the muscles in the chest to type computer code.

If hasn't happened yet good luck

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