Advice for the speediest energy ramp-up for those who have to return to on day 7 post-op

[Rexcom]

Hi All!
There are many folks who can only take off one week from their office job for the surgery/recovery. What is the best advice you have for the speediest post-op recovery? Such as walking, hydration, and protein intake. Also what did you find as the most effective way to get all the required protein during the 1st week post-op?
Thanks!

[Dutchie]

I have no clue how the "rules" are with employers, when an employee is sick.
What rights does the employee have?

I had to stay in ICU for 5 days after my surgery, due to complications.
I defenitely was not able to leave my bed, let alone go to work.

How does that work?
We automatically get six weeks sick leave after a major surgery.
That is a long time and there are people who go to work, before the six weeks are over.
But that is because they feel good, have rested enough, have make themselves familiar with their totally different way of living, know how to drink enough, eat the proper things at the proper times.

[Christie13]

I went back to work 1 week post op with no issues. The key is to stay hydrated and drink your protein shakes. The biggest issue is you won't really feel hungry or thirsty so you need to make yourself drink. Keep sipping all day long. Always have something with you so you remember. It is totally doable but you will be tired at the end of the night. But it goes by fast.

[DHB]

I took a bunch of those little 1oz plastic medicine cups home with me and filled them with water and protein shakes. Just sipped them cup by cup. I did better with warm water/tea than cold. I also walked like crazy. Even in the recovery room I started doing laps & kept it up until they practically threw me out of the hospital for making them dizzy.

I also took no pain meds except extra strength Tylenol which I think helped. (I know not everyone can do this but my surgeon had done an internal pain block that seemed to work very well.) I was working from home at 1 week out although I admit to taking an occasional nap in the first couple weeks.