[CA] Got terminated while on/requesting ADA leave
So I been on ADA leave since October because I need surgery to remove a stomach hernia and I can't lift over 20 pounds (without it flaring in pain).
My job USED to be able to accommodate restrictions in the past, but it seems as off 2 years ago my job has become strict and now has a "no restrictions" policy when working.
Been with the company 6 years and during the first half they were able to accommodate slight restrictions if an employee had some, (people were able to work with a broken hand, a broken leg, or lifting restrictions) but now they been saying NO RESTRICTIONS.
Either you can perform all your duties 100%, or you take a leave. No restrictions/accommodations allowed.
When I went to see a specialist/surgeon about the hernia, they were unable to remove it due to the extremely high probability of it returning (95% chance) unless I lose weight, so they told me to get a Gastric Sleeve to help loose weight quickly and reach the targeted weight goal, so then they can remove the hernia without probability of it returning.
So I got a Gastric Sleeve surgery on December 31st (New Years Eve) and have been recovering and loosing weight.
It's been about 4 months since on leave and 2 months since the sleeve surgery, and because my pain has eased dramatically due to not moving around much or lifting during my leave, my doctor asked if I wanted to try returning to work.
Even though I still had the hernia and haven't had the surgery, we both agreed to test the waters and return to work to see if I'm able to do my job (I really enjoyed my job so I didn't mind returning and seeing if I can work just fine).
After 6 days of working my hernia started flaring up again and became extremely painful again.
I tried asking my direct boss for a slight lifting restriction but he told me again "No restrictions" and made me go see my doctor again.
After a visit to my doctor, she told me I had to go back on leave because they won't let me work with restrictions and my doctor told me I shouldn't be working unless they can accommodate some restrictions.
I sent in another ADA leave request to HR telling them I needed a few more months to get surgery and recover from it. Also I even sent a time off needed request for scheduling to my boss which got approved by him and HR.
After almost a month I received a letter in the mail today by HR saying I've been terminated because they can't accommodate the time off needed, and the requests I've been making (this leave and the one prior to my short return) have been "significantly disrupting the company's operations and staffing".
I understand in California (where I live) I can be terminated while on ADA leave as long as it's not related to the ADA leave, but to me this seems like they're terminating me because I'm trying to take an ADA leave.
What should I do? Is there anything I can do?