Hello,

I just found out that Carefirst approved me for the LAP-BAND® (or Realize Band). What is the least amount of time that anyone has taken off of work? I just started a new job on April 5th and can't take off of work. I work night shift with every other weekend. I plan to schedule my surgery on a Friday morning before my weekend off. So I would have Friday evening, all day Sat, Sun and Mon. to recover. I would then go back to work Monday night. Is this realistic assuming there are no complications with my surgery? Also I sit at my desk for most (95%) of my shift. Thanks!

~Keke

To offer my 2 cents, recovery may take longer with staples. I had staples and it was awful(torture) to even bend over to do anything. My suggestion to everyone is ask what will be used to close incusions. If staples ask for another option, this will help with recovery time. Good Luck on ur journey!

A former coworker of mine had the procedure done on a Thursday and was back at work on the following Tuesday.

I had my procedure done last Friday and was scheduled to start my new dream job this Wednesday. On Tuesday I felt a lot better, and I think I could have begun work on Wednesday, but I decided to delay my start date (at Boss's suggestion) to next Monday, to give myself the added time to recover.

I have spent the last 2 days sorting through my closet and organizing it (a VERY daunting task!), purging clothing items to give away. I've had to take a break every hour or so because my back hurt from standing.

The gas pain is the worst! I heartily recommend getting Gas X strips or chewables. It was a lifesaver for me!

I had surgery on Monday and was back to work on Thursday. I have a desk job, so it wasn't too bad but I do have quite a commute. However, I was able to manage just fine.

I can honestly say that the surgery wasn't as terrible as I thought it was going to be. My incisions are all healed and look good, too. (I'm a month out) I can't even tell I had anything done.

I am intriged that noone seems to factor pain meds into the return to work analysis. Seeing how loratab is liquid vicodin, it would seem that DRIVING to work would be problematic unless you are pain med free....just because a person "feels ok" doesn't mean that they are not driving under the influence.... for me, I'm really glad I took 2 weeks, as this is the end of the 1st week and I'm still hurting with pain meds every 3-4 hours....can't imagine going to the office in 2 days.

I was lortab free for two days before going back to work. I only took it twice - day of surgery and day after. After that, I just switched over to basic Aleve. I also didn't have staples. I had sutures under the skin and taped sutures on top. So, my pain level was not too bad. I think it various for everyone. My biggest incision was in my belly button and my others were really small.

I do agree - if you're on Lortab or something heavy for the pain, do not drive. I didn't go anywhere while taking mine. But, then by Wednesday I was moving around well and Thursday went in to work.

I sub teach and went back on day 5, probably, didn't feel really good but was ok to work