The Lasik (B)Logs: Returning to Work After Surgery

The back story, in case you missed the last two posts in this exciting trilogy: I let someone shoot me in the eyeballs with lasers. It worked out fabulously (so far). Because many lawyers need functioning eyes and/or confidence, I figured I'd share the experience with you. We've already talked about the decision and the incisions. Today, we talk about the most important part: returning to work.

Lasers. Eyeballs. Pain pills. Blurry images of Bad Boys I and II. The first few days after surgery were pretty unpleasant, but the following Monday, I returned to work. The return also wasn't particularly pleasant, as my job puts me in front of a computer monitor for eight hours per day. Fortunately, with a bit of planning, the pain and the disruption to my work was minimal.

Have a Plan

What accommodations will you need when you return to work? For me, I needed a few days off for lasers and recovery. The bosses around here made sure that we had staff to cover my day-to-day duties. With bumped-up fonts and car-pools, the return was pretty easy.

Practicing attorneys have a few more things to consider. Do you have any trials, hearings, or other important deadlines approaching? Can you clear a week or two off of your docket, or can you have an associate or fellow firm member cover for you? Will your clients lose their minds if you disappear for three to five days?

Take it Slow

We're all workaholics. Otherwise, we probably wouldn't have made it through law school.

Don't dive back into an eighty-hour work week immediately after surgery. You'll need to take breaks every hour or two, and carry eye drops at all times. Some need pain pills more than others, so keep in mind that your legal judgment and ability to focus might be affected if you're medicated.

In short: If there is a slow time of the year for your practice, that'd be the time to go for it, as you'll probably be working at a reduced pace for the first week or two back.

Is it Worth It?

I have no regrets. My vision is nearly-perfect and getting better, week-by-week. For practicing attorneys with less flexible schedules, I'd certainly recommend going for LASIK, which gives you results in days, rather than the months of gradual recovery that are required by PRK.

Any tips for returning to work after an operation? Share your experiences with us on Facebook.

Related Resources:

• How to Work From Home Without Harming Your Health (FindLaw's Strategist Blog)
• How to Keep Your Firm Running During the Olympics (FindLaw's Strategist Blog)
• Small Firm Tip: How Do You Run a Law Firm Like a Family? Caring. (FindLaw's Strategist Blog)