Going Back To Work

I am attempting to go back to work after my whipple surgery in October and am experiencing swelling and increased pain.  Does anyone know what is considered a reasonable time to return to work, some think I am pushing to go back too soon.

My surgery was Nov. 27th, and I went back to work mid February.  First week I worked half day only.  I think a lot has to do with type of work you do.  I had a desk job.  The surgeon told me I could return to work as early as six weeks following surgery.  I came through the surgery without complications, but no way I could have gone back to work that soon.  One thing I have learned is if you overdo it following Whipple, it can wipe out strength energy and can affect you for several days.  This gets better with time.

I hope you start feeling strong soon. 

 

On 3/15/2008 AliveInOldeTown wrote:

My surgery was Nov. 27th, and I went back to work mid February.  First week I worked half day only.  I think a lot has to do with type of work you do.  I had a desk job.  The surgeon told me I could return to work as early as six weeks following surgery.  I came through the surgery without complications, but no way I could have gone back to work that soon.  One thing I have learned is if you overdo it following Whipple, it can wipe out strength energy and can affect you for several days.  This gets better with time.

I hope you start feeling strong soon. 

 

That is pretty fast.  I didn't have any complications except for an infection in the hospital.  Its crazy, I am trying again today, but I think for me it is just too soon to be back.  I am a secretary and there is so much twisting, turning and stretching that I do here that is causing just too much pain and swelling for me to deal with.  I hate feeling like this, my mind says I should be able to do it, my body doesn't agree.  My surgeon told me that people with fibromyalgia tend to heal slower, so maybe this is why I'm having difficulty.  I agree with the fatigue issue too, I am just dragging my butt.  Have you had any other related things with your digestion since the surgery?

I think people who have had Whipple surgery almost always face digestive issues.  Also, I should mention my surgery was Nov.27, 2002. One of the big challenges going back to work was fitting in the small meals throughout the day that the doctors recommended.  Mostly it was that I just was not hungry.  You get busy, and it's easy to forget to eat.

The doctors at first did not think I would need pancreatic enzymes to help digestion, so for the first six months following surgery I tried following the recommended low fat diet trying to find foods that worked for me.  Still I was unable to digest food properly and continued losing weight.  Once I started  taking enzymes with meals and snacks, I find I can eat almost anything I could before surgery. Have to watch peanuts and I cannot handle caffeine at all.

If you aren't taking enzymes already, have your doctor prescribe them.  The improvement in digestion will help your energy levels as well. Extreme fatigue can be a result of high blood sugar. If your doctors aren't checking your glucose levels, you may want to ask them about it.

Best wishes.