Did you pay in full up front?

[tekla]

It's considered major surgery.  It's invasive.  Your body does not like to be cut open.  It takes time to heal, and if you don't work on healing right, you can really mess yourself up permanently.

As for work, the only easy way is for them is to know the truth.  I'd have a hard time with someone taking a couple months off, most places would.  Because the weird deal going on right now is that even though we have a buttload of people OUT of work, those that are still working are working even more than they used to.  And 2 months is a bit of a stretch to have to go without one of your key players.

But you really need the time.  How much depends on age, physical condition, how really healthy (diet and exercise) you were going into it.  But 'complications from surgery' is a frequent reason people die from the whole surgery deal, and the problems in not healing correctly after the operation are probably far more common than problems during the operation itself.

[Renate]

I agree with Tekla.

The surgeon has the easy part, he shuffles around your innards for a few hours then kicks you out on the street.
It's your job to take a bad imitation Picasso and turn it into a beautiful nude.
In the beginning it is a full-time job.

[Epigania]

Well, &^%#@^*~!!!!!!!!!  What do you mean more than two weeks?  Surely that is negotiable?  There is absolutely no way I can be out for 6-8 weeks and keep my job!!

I feel sick to my stomach.

I live in a fairly liberal part of the US, so it might be different how other places interpret it, but check out FMLA if you're in the US. 

Where I work, it covers any medical leave that's needed.  It's unpaid (they will absorb your sick days and make them paydays where I work), but they they consider it a leave of absense.   8 weeks is a long time, but it keeps your job safe.

[triciaVBC]

I was covered with MSP in regards to the cost of the surgery itself. I will pay for the other costs (BA, and the cost of aftercare etc) or the downpayment at least in the next few days.

[blondwidowspider]

I actually had a medical loan to pay for a majority of my treatments, however they did pay the surgeon up front. 

Still paying for these loans, and expect to be for a long time.

[Kristyn]

I actually had a medical loan to pay for a majority of my treatments, however they did pay the surgeon up front. 

Still paying for these loans, and expect to be for a long time.

You're post srs?  Who did your surgery?  What else have you had done, if you don't mind my asking, and by whom? 

[blondwidowspider]

You're post srs?  Who did your surgery?  What else have you had done, if you don't mind my asking, and by whom? 

Response in PM. 

[Tammy Hope]

Well, &^%#@^*~!!!!!!!!!  What do you mean more than two weeks?  Surely that is negotiable?  There is absolutely no way I can be out for 6-8 weeks and keep my job!!

I feel sick to my stomach.

where do you live/work?

I find it pretty hard to believe that there's not legal protection for one's job if one is recuperating from a major medical procedure - hell you can take off for months to take care of someone else who has a medical issue...surely you can take off for your own condition?

Probably unpaid leave but still
Post Merge: July 15, 2010, 08:06:13 PM

He's not a ->-bleeped-<- boss.  He's actually a fantastic boss.  But no one at work will know I'm having surgery unless I make up some other surgery I need to have, and then half the office will want to visit me in the hospital.  I am a work-a-holic, and the people at work no pretty much every single detail about me, except for the fact that I am trans.  The thought of coming up with an excuse for two weeks was exhausting, and I hadn't even figured that out yet.

the sking trip/accident story actually is a really good idea.

alternately...trip to distant place (visit relative who's ill?) >> rental car accident >> surgery >> excuse.

in fact, if you are creative enough  you can even claim a sort of surgery that might explain something that might otherwise be odd (for instance, the internal injury necessitated a full hysterectomy, which is why you are infertile and don't have periods and have to take hormones)

That is, of course, if you are fully committed to keeping the secret.

[tekla]

the sking trip/accident story actually is a really good idea.

Lying to your boss is NEVER a good idea, unless you concept of being happy includes being fired without unemployment bennies.  Any 'skiing' accident that would take you six-eight weeks to recover from, and needed a hospital visit is going to be pretty apparent for years to come.

Every boss I've ever had would fire you for that kind of antics.  If it were me, I'd fire you, I can not have anyone on the deck who I can't trust to tell me the truth.

[Kristyn]

the sking trip/accident story actually is a really good idea.

Any 'skiing' accident that would take you six-eight weeks to recover from, and needed a hospital visit is going to be pretty apparent for years to come.

Think Wide World Of Sports

[Suigeniris]

this is a very interesting topic............

[amy2003]

this is a very interesting topic............

Which, paying in full up front, or the length of time and excuse needed for surgery?  Both, I would say.

My initial question has fallen by the wayside with the realization that I will need more than two weeks off from work.  Everyone, thank you for your responses, and also thank you for your concern.  Rest assured, I would never risk permanent injury and complications by going back to work too early.  But it IS a dilemma what to tell work. Let me make sure everyone is aware that I am stealth.  Lots of people have insinuated that it shouldn't be a problem, but I guess I am the only one who would truly know.  Trust me, it's going to take some very careful planning.

I saw my MD yesterday, and she said she has seen MANY through the months leading up to and following surgery, and it was her opionion that, considering my age and health that I shouldn't have any problem going back after four weeks.Right now I am considering either a trip far way with a relative, or possibly a surgery.  I might actually use an old friend's current problem of cysts growing on the ovaries and a hysteroectomy.  My MD said the typical revocery time for that would also be about 4 weeks.

Time for bed.

amy

[glendagladwitch]

If you're young, 4 weeks sounds doable, but I think it might depend on the type of surgery.  I had my original penile inversion surgery on my 26th birthday, and then a colon graft revision more than ten years later.  I recovered very quickly from the penile inversion, and if it weren't for the need to dilate every two hours, I think going to work only two weeks later would have been doable.  When I had the revision, I only took two weeks off, but it turned out to be a much more difficult recovery than the original one.  I regretted going back to work after only two weeks. That one took a lot longer to recover from. 

So if you feel up to it, maybe you can return to work early, and wear a stent and sit on one of those inflatable donuts.  You should take one of those with you anyway on your trip, especially for the trip home.

[AnonChix]

CONGRATS!!!  I have my surgery the same week . 

[lilacwoman]

[qfour weeks.Right now I am considering either a trip far way with a relative, or possibly a surgery.  I might actually use an old friend's current problem of cysts growing on the ovaries and a hysteroectomy.  My MD said the typical revocery time for that would also be about 4 weeks.amy
[/quote]
Big surgery will affect people differently so it entirely possibel that you'll feel like working after just a few weeks but doing an 8 hour day plus travel might be so hard that you aren't performing as well as you should.
I had a five hour operation this time last year and was home and feeling fine two days later. Two months ago I had a one hour op and was home the next day and feeling fine.
Two years ago I had boob job and two days later felt fine enough to go home but couldn't do any lifting  or carrying .
I'm most likely a lot older than you too.
Is there any way you can work from home for a few weeks? 
You could lie in bed dilator inserted and work on your comp or phone...

[Debra]

I haven't paid yet except a $500 deposit to Marci to reserve my date. I imagine when the date gets closer, I'll get something in the mail explaining that stuff though.

As for recovery, I should be able to work from home a bunch when I get back as I'll only have about 3-4 weeks of vacation saved tops.

[triciaVBC]

Recovery is going to be interesting for that I don't have a job right now due to layoffs at my previous position and my employment insurance runs out the day of my surgery. I should be good for 2 months but after month one of recovery it's time to get going finding some employment fast I saved enough to be comfortable for 2 months and pay my bills etc but after that it may get hectic. We shall see! I'm considering other possibilities right now as well. We shall see!

Still kind of scary though. I want to be sure I'm able to dilate religiously and not worry about time constraints but money has to be comig in somehow.

[sneakersjay]

I haven't paid yet except a $500 deposit to Marci to reserve my date. I imagine when the date gets closer, I'll get something in the mail explaining that stuff though.

As for recovery, I should be able to work from home a bunch when I get back as I'll only have about 3-4 weeks of vacation saved tops.

Be aware, too, that you  may be physically exhausted, and pain meds may make it harder to pay attention.  I, too, thought I could work from home.  I did, up until the day of surgery, but it took me two full weeks before I could even focus on work.  Then again, you are a lot younger than I am, so that may change things.  Just be aware that it may be hard to focus on work.


Jay