Someone in the drs office should know what is needed, or they should know about how to find out from the disability ins co. or the employer.

Maybe they prefer to go from appt to appt to keep up on each outcome a time goes by.

If you can look online for your disability ins provider you might find some of the information you need.

I had a knee surgery and dr wrote me off work for a month and a half, but I still needed to keep in weekly contact with my supervisor if I recall correctly.
It was a long time ago though..

It sounds almost as bad as worker comp...
I had to deal w/ the HR lady and my drs a couple of times to get the right wording of my limitations for light duty.
But the time off wasn't as difficult...but I do think the HR lady pulled a fast one on me by asking if I wanted to take FMLA & use my accumulated vacation time while off work for an on the job injury...I probably should have been getting wc monies since they couldn't accommodate my restrictions so i was off work.