3 weeks seems quick to me, too. I had 2 unruptured aneurysms clipped in July 2011. My surgeon wanted me to have a minimum of 4 weeks before returning to work, but thought more would be better. I'm a teacher, so he was able to fit me in so that I'd have 6 weeks off before returning to work.
Two weeks after surgery (the day I had my stitches removed) was the first day of a 5 day dog show, and I really overdid it the first day. I ended up spending Day 2 of the dog show at home in bed, then took it a little easier for the rest of the week.
At week 3, I still tired easily & had difficulty concentrating. I was having difficulty rereading a Harry Potter novel and with reading a Rick Riordan novel (aimed at junior high students).
Four weeks after surgery, I went back to dance class and was completely wiped out from the one hour drive there, a one hour class, and a one hour drive home. We did a lot of arm work that day and even spent part of the lesson sitting on the floor and it was still exhausting.
My first week back at work (6 weeks after surgery) was a fairly easy week physically, but mentally taxing. I was in meetings and professional development for most of the week, with a little bit of time for lesson planning. I had difficulty focusing and remembering things. My printer wasn't connected to my computer and I was having other computer issues, so I used post-it notes and emailed myself on my cell phone to make sure I didn't forget to do things.
It took me longer to complete paperwork and I was exhausted. For the first couple of months, I'd sleep almost the entire weekend to recover from my work week.
I had 2 craniotomies in 2010, first one I went back to work in 6 weeks, however, the second one I went back to work in 1 week, but that was because the surgeries were only 2 months apart. I think your doctor is slightly over optimistic, would rely more on your previous experience.
You have received very honest and good feedback. It has been 5 years since my clipping. When I returned home after 3 days in the hospital after the 7mm Aneurysm clipping, I passed out getting out of the car, and thank goodness I was caught before I hit the ground, and back to the hospital I went. Too much medication was given. I went home that same day, and had to be carried upstairs to bed, and did not know anything until 10 days later. After 3 months I learned how to drive again, and before that, in Physical Therapy a lot for months. I only had one Jacksonian Seizure approx 1.5 years later. Doing well today!
I wish the best for you, and see how you feel afterwards. Glad they found it before it ruptured!
I am 65 and had an unruptured aneurysm clipped January 6 and was back to work in 2 weeks. I am self employed so that gave me a lot of flexibility. It might depend on your job too; ie desk job vs labor. Some of these replies were from ruptured aneurysms and that’s a totally different animal! Don’t let them scare you. You will be tired at the end of the day no matter when you go back to work. Think positive, be optimistic, do what feels right for you!
Ernie, My advice, take it one day at a time...don't over worry yourself. You need to be the most relaxed both physically and emotionally for your upcoming surgery. How long it takes leave it to your body to tell you...everyone's situation is different. Take faith and courage!
You survived a rupture so this is bound to feel like a walk in the park by comparison. I agree with the poster who suggested to leave your return to work date as open ended as possible, if you need more time so be it.
I was back to work in 4 weeks PT (5 hours a day). Could've done 3weeks but worked from home so it wasn't necessary. Everyones body reacts differently. Stamina seemed to be my only hurdle. The fatigue set it and I knew it was time to go home and rest.
My doctor said some people do (mostly for money reasons if it is leave without pay). However I took 7 weeks. I had a rough 4 weeks, due to sciatica from blood dripping down my spinal column during surgery and was on crutches for about 2 weeks. However after the 5th week, I probably could have gone back. If my second aneurysm grows and I need surgery again, I will probably try to take 5 weeks, not 7. It was depressing being home.
How is it that they grow again? I know that there’s a possibility of it occurring again, I had my rupture at age 22 and my last angiogram showed no residual aneurysms. I had that performed about a year ago and might fix to get an MRI soon.
I would definitely agree with the majority here, it seems far too soon and 3 months seems like the minimum time. It was 26 years ago for me but I can remember how I felt and I would say it took me a year to really start to feel like I had recovered.
I hap a ruptured aneurysm clipped this past July and was off work for 4 months and even upon returning full time I was very tired by the end of my 8 hour day . Today I finally just worked over a 40 hour week it’s been 8 months since my aneurysm!
It's been 18 months since my craniotomy for unruptured aneurysm and AVM. I could not have gone back to work (if I was still working) after 3 weeks. I'm still on anti-seizure meds and, though I have resumed my life - tennis, walking, reading, socializing - I get very tired and nap a lot. I think the suggestion to let your employer know that you will have to evaluate your recovery as you go along is a good one.
I had a ruptured Annie, more were found. All the ones on the same side as the rupture were fixed while I was in hospital. I had another surgery about 6 months later to clip 3 in the other side. I think I was off work about 4 weeks after the second surgery, needed to get back to keep insurance, job, house, etc. That was pushing it! Try to take as much time as you need. It’s brain surgery! I did have anti-seizure meds after surgery, both times.
I've found that most doctors under estimate your return to work date probably because they have never been in our shoes. I took off 7 weeks and was still leery of driving in freeway traffic, my memory hadn't kicked back in and I was struggling with the fatigue and anxiety. Then 8 months later I spent 2 days in bed sleeping and crying. That's when I realized so many of my symptoms were caused by the surgery. However, those surgeons are just there to fix the aneurysm not to help you with the after affects. I started looking at the affects of Traumatic Brain Injury and many of the symptoms of a TBI are the same as those we get with the brain surgery. Good luck to you. Perhaps you could talk with your GP prior to the surgery and have someone lined up you can see about all affects you will be dealing with.
There are sooooooooooo many variables its impossible for anyone here to guess. 3 weeks may be more than enough depending on where the surgery is, how it long it takes, and a host of other factors. Heres hoping its only 2 weekss