I can't believe your doctor's office won't work with you on this.  My doctor basically GAVE me a return to work slip and said put whatever date on there you want!  I would call up the doctor's office and BEG them to work with you on this. Ask them for ALL the options you have.  Ask them if they can "refer" you to another doctor to be released.  If our pediatrician is on vacation they have to leave a referral and our insurance has to cover it.  If all else fails, I'd call up the insurance company and complain about the doctor's office and how they won't work with you and maybe they shouldn't be on "the plan." (I'm assuming you're on some type of plan here.)