Are you awaiting surgery? Five weeks ago today, I had surgery on my foot and now I’m in my post-sick leave slow boat to recovery. Having been through this ordeal before, I wanted to share my tips on how to prepare for the return to work after surgery. And yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel!
How to prepare for the return to work weeks before surgery
As soon as you know that surgery’s on the horizon, give a heads-up to your line manager and colleagues to let them know what’s in store. In addition, I also contacted my business contacts to alert them to my absence and the new normal of online meetings only for the foreseeable future. In my case, I have to work from home for up to four months. That’s a big deal for any business so it’s only fair to give everyone as much advance warning as possible.
Negotiate reasonable adjustments for your return to work
If prolonged working from home is not possible, your company still has to make reasonable adjustments. These can be discussed with your Line Manager or Occupational health department if you have one. Could they provide you with specialist equipment or allow you to work flexibly to avoid the worst of the commute? Perhaps a phased return where you work shortened hours would take the pressure off? Think outside the box for return-to-work solutions that will make life easier for everyone.
Alert your friends, family and neighbours
Outside work, let your friends, family and neighbours know – particularly if you live on your own. This can be a lifeline in terms of requesting small errands as well as visits and phone calls to combat isolation. You also have a great opportunity to re-connect with those friends you’ve been neglecting of late. There’s no doubt that surgery is a humbling time. While nobody likes asking for help, I’ve found that people are only too happy to lend a hand if you let them.
Make sick note arrangements in advance of your return to work
If you require more than seven days sick leave, including weekends and bank holidays, you must give your employer a sick note (also confusingly known as a fit note!). The note will either say that the employee is either “fit to work” or “maybe fit to work.” If it’s the latter, you need to discuss your requirements with your employer. If you take less than seven days sick leave, a fit note is not required. A fit note can be obtained from a hospital, GP surgery, physiotherapist, pharmacist or occupational therapist. Failure to provide a fit note can mean that your employer can refuse to pay you for your sick leave period as is the case where I work.
Also bear in mind that some GP surgeries will expect you to come and pick up the fit note in person which post-surgery proved a major problem for me. Make sure you’re aware of the procedure in advance and make plans accordingly.
Widen your support network
Surgery can provide an unexpected opportunity to widen your existing social networks. I joined a Facebook Surgery Support Group that turned out to be a lifeline. In addition to a daily morale boost, I was introduced to the world of knee scooters – an incredible invention to aid mobility. Who knew it would also be so much fun! You can also pick up other items that people no longer need and receive tips from those who’ve walked the walk before you.
Prepare meals in advance
If you don’t love cooking – this’s going to hurt. But trust me, your future post-surgery self will thank you for it. The first step is to buy small Tupperware containers where you can put individual portions of food which can then go in the freezer. IKEA sell three boxes for an incredible one pound. My meal preparation favourites include Chilli Con Carne and Spaghetti Bolognese which provide versatile toppings for rice, pasta, tacos and tortillas.
If you really can’t be bothered slogging over a hot stove – COOK have introduced individual portions of home-made sauces which you can use instead. Don’t forget to also stock up on frozen fruit and vegetables. You also need to consider the length of your recovery. I knew I wouldn’t be able to exercise for at least two months, so I grudgingly cut out bread, pastries and cakes in favour of dark chocolate, nuts and fruit. The summer fruits also helped me to avoid glutting on ice cream.
Do a pre-surgery house clean
I can hear the groans of despair again! Nobody enjoys housework but a thorough clean will pay dividends. Creating order in your home gets you mentally prepared for what’s to come and provides huge relief in the days after. Use this opportunity to rearrange your furniture to aid mobility and give a different look to your home. If your mobility will be impaired, think about what items you need on your bedside table. Painkillers, books, reading glasses, phone adaptors all need to be within easy reach. The days immediately before surgery are also a good time to fit in a laundry wash and ensure you have fresh sheets on your bed for your return.
Work out a daily routine for your return to work
Recovering from foot surgery takes me back to lockdown when my world didn’t extend further than the car park. Just like those bad old days, it’s vital to have structure and routine to maintain positive mental health. While my days now look very different to pre-surgery, I’m still content with the life that I have.
Before work, I start with a thirty-minute senior armchair exercise video. I then move onto ten minutes of meditation. At lunchtimes when I’d normally go for a walk, I now read for half an hour. Once I finish work, I sign myself up to online meet-up sessions on topics ranging from binaural beats to sound baths. Even though your world has shrunk, you can always expand your horizons. And keeping busy is a great way to boost your mental health.
Embrace the gift of time
Another hidden benefit of surgery is the gift of time. And a rare opportunity to slow down. You can embark on self-improvement projects or even improve your home. I find that setting bite-sized goals keeps me motivated. So far, I’ve created a gallery wall for my fridge and bedroom, reduced my utilities bills by 50% and embraced meditation and healthier eating. All things that I’d never have found time to do when I was mobile. Oh and I’m also blogging far more now too!
While nobody would choose to have surgery, there are silver linings along the way. As always, it’s not what happens to us in life, it’s how we choose to respond to it and that’s entirely within our control.
How are you preparing for surgery? Leave your comments below.