Post-Fusion Office Adaptations

[Guest guest]

I've been speaking with my boss, HR, an ergonomics specialist, and the Work/Life Office at my job regarding what to expect when I return after surgery. They have all been extremely kind and helpful, and are willing to do anything that's reasonable to set things up in whatever way would work best for me upon my return.

For any of you that continue to work in an office after going through fusion surgery, could you please give me some tips? What did you find most helpful when you returned? What did you wish you had available when you returned? Is there a particular type of chair that's ideal?

I work as an administrative assistant, so most of my time is spent working at my computer. I get up to do other tasks, including (very) occasional meetings, photocopying, filing, hunting people down to chat about stuff, or picking up stuff from another office. My boss has known for years that I can't do any heavy lifting. I no longer had a specific doctor's note (mostly because I didn't bother), but it's very obvious what happens when I try to life anything remotely heavy. Filing has been a struggle over the past few months, and I'm guessing it will actually be a bit harder post-fusion, especially when it comes to filing in the lowest drawers. I'm sure I could find someone else to handle that task, since it is such a tiny fraction of my job responsibilities.

I purchased a couple of the things that you can clip paper to so that I can have a document sitting right next to work when working at the computer, instead of having to strain/twist to read it if it were laid out on my desk.

What else am I forgetting? I used to be what everyone considered to be an " ideal employee " , but I'm just the opposite now. I want to figure out what I can do upon returning in order to give me the best chance of succeeding.

Thanks much,P.S. - Only 12 days remaining until my surgery. Yikes!