we have also been together the better part of a decade by nowIf your lawyer already advised you what to do not sure why you are posting here. Your lawyer knows specifics about your case that we don't know. Each case is different. For example if I went back before it was finished processing it would not affect our case. We have been together a long time 17 years. Also how would CIC know you went back to Canada unless you tell them of course lol.
But anyway probably best to listen to your lawyer.
I found the advice a bit out of the ordinary - otherwise I wouldn’t bother asking the forum.