Getting back to work after back surgery

[portals2]

I was working as a 3rd engineer and ended up needing back surgery. I am about to be cleared for work by the surgeon and am doing work conditioning physical therapy. I am nervous and unsure about what my employment prospects will be and whether or not I will be able to clear any work physicals. Anyone have any advice? Any one go through something similar and found out some tricks along the way? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Dean paine]

I just had my second back surgery on November 2011. Its really the first 3 months that are crucial. Not to say that you aren't always going to have to be careful. My first was at 20. I was a wild man shortly after and played hard for 20 years. This time round I'm 41 and I didn't work at all or do anything actually for 3 months. You will need to do your core exercises everyday. I never did any physical therapy at all. 7 months ago I was pissing in a bottle in bed cause I couldn't move. now I'm mate on a factory trawler in AK. It's physically demanding I'm just careful about how I do things. I say that after I spent 4 hrs floundering around like a fish on deck in 15' seas today patching up a net I stove up last night. Straight up it'll take a year to be bout 95%. keep your weight down!!! That constant pulling from a big belly is hard on the core. I gained 25 lbs from nov-feb. But it's mostly gone again. Good luck bud!!! I feel your concern.

[Dean paine]

Ow yea, I just renewed my papers. The CG doctor did put me through the ringer. Get good and stretched out put the aleve to ya and you'll do fine. She did ask me to pick up a 50lb weight one handed. After it was over she wrote on my papers. "mariner has no physical limitations" it's a scar that is unhide able so come clean right up front. I didn't mention my surgery 20 years ago to her and she spotted that one as well right away.

[portals2]

yeah I am about to renew - I still have a good physical (3 years) so the cg wont be the problem for now. I am more worried about the company physicals and weight restrictions. My scar is definetely too big to hide. I appreciate your input I will let you know anything I learn over time.

[Shellback]

This is a very realistic concern that can effect anyone at anytime..Most people have bulging discs and dont even know it, it's when you rupture one or herniate it, is when you end up in trouble...There are still opportunities out there though and being an engineer I think you will have an easier time getting past this than a deck guy..You just can't give up..

One thing to think about is that if a person were to try and disguise it, and I am not being a supporter of dishonesty mind you..But lets say you wanted to do it for other reasons, like you want to look good in your speedos at the beach..There is the tattoo option that seems popular these days..A nice 3 masted schooner back there with all the lines and rigging would hide it nicely I should think..

There is also the cosmetic tattoo's that women get..And maybe even some guys, ..Capt Lee, may be able to provide some insight on this as well....

.One of the guys on my boat was dating a cosmetic tattoo tech and she had a portfolio of pics that she put together from her clients..I had no idea all the things that women get tattooed, like lips,eyebrows ,eye lids..As I am flipping through the pics I run across a bunch of boob shots..WTH?? Apparently there are some women who feel that their areolas need to be altered..Bigger, smaller, darker, lighter....Who knew? The point is that this is very effective..

[Dean paine]

A tramp stamp.. I never thought of trying to cover up my scars. Good idea thoe. My women has a stamp but I just can't see one on me, hahaha. But a good idea non the less

[zcaptain]

A tattoo isn't going to hide anything from an x-ray!

[Shellback]

A tattoo isn't going to hide anything from an x-ray!

Nope it sure won't, but if it can prevent a closer examination all the better..We are talking about jobs here..

[Dean paine]

Iv never been x-rayed for a renewal application. Just come clean with em anyway. If you can't pass the physical examine your shouldn't be sailing anyway. It's really a pretty tit exam. Good luck!!

[Shellback]

Just come clean with em anyway. If you can't pass the physical examine your shouldn't be sailing anyway.

Of course you wouldn't get an XRAY for a renewal..
We are talking about two entirely seperate things..

1. The CG requirements

2. What a potential employer may require, xrays ,MRI's etc...

What is happening is a guy can have a surgery and pass the CG physical just fine but some companies will exclude this person to work for them..So, now tell me..Should these people be excluded from sailing like you earlier stated?

[Dean paine]

No they should not. As long as they are strong enough physically to do the job required. I say this after I've Had 2 back surgeries. The last being Nov 23, 2011. I am currently mate aboard a 107' catcher processor for US Seafoods presently working the northern bearing sea. And even as mate it's physically demanding. I came clean when they hired me about the latest surgery but didn't mention the one I Had 20 years ago. Luckily they didn't seem to care. That was 1 month ago I'm half way through my hitch and loving it. I was fortunate enough to be able to recoup for 3 months after surgery. I guess bottom line is that every company has different standards.having a surgery should not exclude any mariner from any position as long as they are fit for the job.