How long did you take off work for recovery?

[bracedfaced]

I was wondering how long people are typically taking off work for this surgery. I am having upper jaw, lower jaw, and a genio. I thought my OS said only 2 weeks but because my work is being very cool about my surgery, I plan to take 3 weeks. Will that be enough time off before going back to a 9-5 desk job?

[qwertz1]

2 weeks would have been enough in my case, but I feel like I'm rather the exception.
there are also people who are still massively swollen after 4 or 5 weeks, so it's really anyone's guess.

[DRG]

I was prepared to take three weeks off, expecting to work part time for a while after that. Instead, I got bored of being at home and went back to work a week early. I found that I tired easily still so I planned myself a nap most days during that first week back at work. After that I just went in to work late for a while so that I could get all of my necessary "beauty rest".

I will say this, I thought I had my strength back after about ten days. I dropped my son off at school and then went to the store to pick up some cans of soup, which all required me to sleep for over three hours when I got home. I learned this lesson often, recovery was not the same as being on vacation.

DRG

[bracedfaced]

Thank you for your responses! I feel much better about the 3 weeks now. I am sure I will be bored at home but don't want to come back to work too early.

[DRG]

I was quite surprised when I felt bored at home. I was looking forward to time away from work, but really I just felt unproductive and somewhat useless -- that is to say, it's not like I was accomplishing anything at home. And I found there really was a limit to how much lounging around I could perform without going batty.

DRG

[qwertz1]

you could also ask your doctor how long he usually keeps his patients in a splint, if your work depends on being able to speak clearly.
this seems to vary widely from doctor to doctor

[arieswithbraces]

I took the longest of anyone!! I'm out of work for 8 weeks! I work at an outpatient dialysis clinic and I'm usually there 11-12 hrs a day. I only get two 30 min breaks and we are not an all ambulatory clinic. They didn't want me to lift more than 20 lbs and wanted me to take a break if I became tired, and there's no way I can do that. So they just wrote me out, and said they'll write me back in early if everything's ok. I ALMOST want to go back but the talking with this splint could be a problem.

[suzanna]

I'll be off for 7.5 weeks. I go back on Monday!

arieswithbraces, shoot I totally forgot to ask my OS today about any weight restrictions!! And about going back to a regular routine at the gym.... ugh.... next time I need to make a list LOL I guess I'll have to call the office tomorrow to find out because I need to talk to my work insurance person tomorrow about a return to work plan (or if I even need one).

[freakyteeth]

I'm planning on four weeks. Of course I am have to continue to have my surgeon write me off. I have a sit down job, but a lot of talking. Thank goodness I qualify for paid extended sick time.

[Nathaniel]

I took about a month and week, it gave me enough time to rest, recover, de-stress, and actually go through an unexpected infection of the cheek too. I'd always try to buffer in some extra time so you don't feel as though you're just squeezing it all in so to speak. Best of luck! I had a SARPE recently, but am getting what you're having in (hopefully) a little under a year or so from now!

[sarz]

Took a week off. Not a good idea

[dtdtdt]

This was one of my biggest questions. My dr said that most of his patients with bsso and office jobs need 2 weeks off. I didn't think this would be enough after everything I saw on YouTube (did not know about this board until night before surgery). I went back to work at 2 weeks this week and worked 3 days. I didn't realize that I honestly spend most of the day talking!

The biggest thing I noticed was around 3pm just being exhausted and out of words. I also made the mistake of thinking I could work and do other things after work. Work was about all I could handle. I've had the weekend to rest up and with a few more days of recovery under my belt, and I believe this week will be better. I feel as if I have hit a new level of getting closer to normal. I may never give up naps though!

Net, if you need to return to your desk job at 2 weeks I think you will be ok, if you plan to come home, eat, and get to bed, seriously. If you can stretch it to 3 weeks you will be even better.

[Laundraholic]

My surgeon said that at the very least I'd need two weeks off, as I work a non-physical desk job.

After finding out I work with the public (and would have to be speaking and dealing with my clients all day long), he wrote me a note for 4 weeks off.

[sarz]

Seriously, where did you have your operations???
My surgeon and orthodontist knew full well that I work a physically and mentally demanding job and the surgeon cleared me after my joint appointment to go back to work, when I asked if this was okay. This was one week after my third surgery.

[suzanna]

Seriously, where did you have your operations???
My surgeon and orthodontist knew full well that I work a physically and mentally demanding job and the surgeon cleared me after my joint appointment to go back to work, when I asked if this was okay. This was one week after my third surgery.

I work in Ontario, Canada. I just told my surgeon at my 3.5 week post op appointment that I didn't feel ready to go back to work yet and he gave me another 4 weeks off. I didn't mind that at all since I'm being paid 100% of my wages in short term sick leave.