I've been discussing surgery with my doctor, but I don't know if I can afford a couple months off work as I am the sole provider for my family and don't have disability insurance. My boss has said he'd let me take off for a few months and return to my job when I recover, but with no pay.

If anybody here has had surgery, how long was it before you could return to work? I do accounting on the PC for much of my work day. Thanks!

I was out of work for 4 weeks. The cast came off in 10 days and staples came out. You might be able to go back after a few weeks. You will probably need physical therapy.

I had surgery on April 2nd, had off for five days and returned to work on the 7th. I still have staples and I get them out on the 18th. I don't need my left arm/hand at work so my doctor said I could return. My elbow is doing great!! My doc said it would be painful because of how much I would use my arm, but it isn't as bad as I thought. Good luck to you!!!

It might be helpful if, when people discuss their surgery, they make it clear whether they had the endoscopic release or the transposition. I can imagine different recovery times and procedures. Or this could be an item to add in the signature field in the profile.

MHB,
My doctor was ready to put me back to work the day after surgery. But I pointed out to him that must be a mistake with the way he wrote my work status. I had the nerve transposition on my right side 2 months ago. The doctor worked under the skin so the scar was small, probably heals faster. I would say that I did not feel well enough to go back to work until at least after 4 weeks minimum. I have 2 disability insurances that would not pay me. One said that they do not cover on the job injury and the other one said that it was a pre-existing condition. Where is Michael Moore when you need him. I had to fight workers comp for 1 year exactly until they approved my case. I have a lawyer. His staff makes it impossible to talk to him. I probably shouldn't have gotten one. I also did not get paid the first month I was off because payroll messed up my check. What a nightmare. It is hard when you have a legimate illness and all you want to do is get well or for it(nerve problems) to go away and leave you alone. Did you file worker's comp.?

Mike

Mike, that's crazy! Sometimes I just don't understand insurance companies. My sister is taking special medication for her Lupus. She can take a $10 pill, which the insurance company won't pay for, or she can get $200 injections at the doctor's office, which they will pay for. Now how can that be a good policy?