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Hi @ellie24 and welcome to the community n especially to this group.

It's so long since I had my op (15 years) that I can't honestly remember, but I'm sure other members will tell  u about their experiences. I also had a  mainly sit down job, tho worked at  the enquiry desk of a busy branch library.

I think returning to full health depends on how fit you were pre - op. You may want to consider asking for a phased return, eg 2 or 3 days/week if you work full time. Talk to our helpline about it on 0808 808 0000, 8am to 8pm, 7 days/ week.

You mention having lost some feeling around the scar. Do tell the surgeon about this, or "ask an expert" tho allow a couple of days for them to answer as they're mostly volunteers.

Hi , 

I had open surgery for removal of my right kidney in May 2018 so I too have a fantastic scar right across my stomach. When my consultant told me I should allow 10 to 12 weeks to recover from the surgery, I couldn’t get my head around that at all. As a self-employed gardener, I don’t think I’d ever had 10 days off at a time let alone anything like that. When it came to it, though, I needed a full three months before easing myself back into regular work, but at very much reduced hours. 

I should imagine that your job is physically quite demanding. Too early at the moment, of course, but at some point in the next few weeks you’ll start to feel ready: your body will tell you when. It would be good if your employers would let you do shorter shifts to start with, and make some allowances for you when you’re in. On the one hand there’s a buzz of accomplishment at getting back to the work you’re used to, but on the other you will definitely tire quicker. You’ll need recovery time after activity and exertion. 

So, not far off two years post-nephrectomy for me, and my scar has faded to a thin, elegant pale-pink line. I too have lost some feeling there. The scar line itself is normal but the area a little below it is somewhat numb for much of the time. Hard to describe: an odd mixture of sensitive and numb, with some itchiness when I get particularly tired; but a bit of cream smoothed onto it soon sorts that out. I just accept it as the new normal. 

Best wishes to you, fingers crossed for your results, 

-Mark 

Hi Mark, thank you for your reply. I hope you're doing well since your surgery. Gardening can be therapeutic as well as hard work so good for you :)  I have started walking a bit but within about 15 minutes I'm tired and my side hurts so I know what my limits are at the moment. Hopefully that will increase as time goes on. My eldest is getting married at the end of April so fingers crossed I'll be able to manage the full day of celebration with her, plus I'm walking her down the aisle :) ( I'm a single parent)

I know this is a matter of every individual is different with recovery so I shall take it day by day. 

Thanks, Ellie 

Hi buttercup, thank you for the welcome response. 

It's quite a large area of lost feeling but I'm not entirely worried about it, it's a price I am willing to pay for saving my life. It could have been so much worse for me if I had left it any longer. My sister had surgery for breast cancer 10 years ago (still cancer free) and told me that she has lost feeling under her arm so I'm guessing it's due to nerve damage but I will definitely mention it when I see my urologist on Monday.

Thanks, Ellie 

Welcome Ellie24, my husband had his kidney out 18 months ago by open surgery and it’s only now he’s got most of his feeling back along his scar. He did well after surgery. Good luck x

Do let us know how u get on tomorrow