Hello, I've been registered with this website for awhile but haven't had the chance to post anything yet. My name is Gabrielle and I'm a 22 year old woman who is looking for some relief from being overweight!! I've been diagnosed with PCOS, have "pre"-diabetes, and sleep apnea. I've been through numerous diets, exercise plans. The best "diet" I ever did was Atkins-completely cutting out any and all carbs and I lost approximately 40 lbs (this was about five years ago). I am now at my heaviest weight right now (300+ lbs). Daily I think about the LAP-BAND® procedure. I have gone through with seminar, doc visit, etc... I know this will be the best thing for me after reading all of the information and this forum. But I still have some questions one in particular: how should I go about asking off for work when I do get my surgery date set??? I'm not embarrassed about being overweight in the least but I am uncomfortable about letting the information of "weight loss surgery" being common knowledge (at least for now). This is all still new to me so excuse me if I am rambling on and on! Thanks and God bless!

~Gabrielle

Hello, I've been registered with this website for awhile but haven't had the chance to post anything yet. My name is Gabrielle and I'm a 22 year old woman who is looking for some relief from being overweight!! I've been diagnosed with PCOS, have "pre"-diabetes, and sleep apnea. I've been through numerous diets, exercise plans. The best "diet" I ever did was Atkins-completely cutting out any and all carbs and I lost approximately 40 lbs (this was about five years ago). I am now at my heaviest weight right now (300+ lbs). Daily I think about the LAP-BAND®® procedure. I have gone through with seminar, doc visit, etc... I know this will be the best thing for me after reading all of the information and this forum. But I still have some questions one in particular: how should I go about asking off for work when I do get my surgery date set??? I'm not embarrassed about being overweight in the least but I am uncomfortable about letting the information of "weight loss surgery" being common knowledge (at least for now). This is all still new to me so excuse me if I am rambling on and on! Thanks and God bless!

~Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle, my names Dawn. I too had many of the things that you have now. I was borderline everything and had sleep apnea (used a CPAP). I also had open heart surgery. I started at 304lbs. I am now teetering at 200lbs. I have 15lbs to go. I've lost 104lbs so far. Needless to say i am no longer borderline anything and I no longer have sleep apnea.

I would just tell them at work that you are having a minor procedure done that will require you to have some time off. It's against the law for them to ask you about your medical stuff, with the HIPAA laws. And you are not required to supply your employer with detailed medical information. If they ask you what your procedure is about just simply say I'm sorry but it's confidential and I'd rather not disclose that information. You won't really be able to ask for a specific time because everyone heals differently. And it all depends on what time of work you do. I had my surgery on a Friday and was back to work on a Tuesday. That's because most of my work is done behind a desk. If I had to suggest a time, I would say at least a week. It takes a good week to two weeks to be back to normal.

Good luck in your process and if you have anymore questions please feel free to ask.

Hi Gabrielle, my names Dawn. I too had many of the things that you have now. I was borderline everything and had sleep apnea (used a CPAP). I also had open heart surgery. I started at 304lbs. I am now teetering at 200lbs. I have 15lbs to go. I've lost 104lbs so far. Needless to say i am no longer borderline anything and I no longer have sleep apnea.

I would just tell them at work that you are having a minor procedure done that will require you to have some time off. It's against the law for them to ask you about your medical stuff, with the HIPAA laws. And you are not required to supply your employer with detailed medical information. If they ask you what your procedure is about just simply say I'm sorry but it's confidential and I'd rather not disclose that information. You won't really be able to ask for a specific time because everyone heals differently. And it all depends on what time of work you do. I had my surgery on a Friday and was back to work on a Tuesday. That's because most of my work is done behind a desk. If I had to suggest a time, I would say at least a week. It takes a good week to two weeks to be back to normal.

Good luck in your process and if you have anymore questions please feel free to ask.

Hi Dawn!! Nice to meet you!! Congrats on all your hard work paying off!!! I hope and pray I can be there someday too!!! I work in a grocery store as customer service staff and the job is *very* physical at times (picking up groceries, pulling in carts, moving heavy items, bending over to pick up 30 lbs of dog food because the little old lady can't, etc) I'm just concerned about the band coming loose or pulling something the wrong way and complications like that. Is it normal to take 2 weeks off after the surgery??? I know everyone is different. Would it be a good idea to take off 2 weeks for someone in my position? I have a pretty high tolerance for pain (I say that now) but I don't want to be at work a week or so post surgery and then suddenly have to leave work because of complications (if it can be avoided at all). I appreciate you answering my question Dawn!! Thank you so much!

God Bless~

Gabrielle

Im two weeks out from surgery and am feeling completely normal. I can lift heavy things without pain and able to do anything i did before, so you should be ok at work after 2 weeks.

Thank you!! I appreciate all of your input!! =)

Im two weeks out from surgery and am feeling completely normal. I can lift heavy things without pain and able to do anything i did before, so you should be ok at work after 2 weeks.

Careful with the heavy lifting though. They say nothing heavier than 50lbs for at least 6 weeks after surgery.

Hi Dawn!! Nice to meet you!! Congrats on all your hard work paying off!!! I hope and pray I can be there someday too!!! I work in a grocery store as customer service staff and the job is *very* physical at times (picking up groceries, pulling in carts, moving heavy items, bending over to pick up 30 lbs of dog food because the little old lady can't, etc) I'm just concerned about the band coming loose or pulling something the wrong way and complications like that. Is it normal to take 2 weeks off after the surgery??? I know everyone is different. Would it be a good idea to take off 2 weeks for someone in my position? I have a pretty high tolerance for pain (I say that now) but I don't want to be at work a week or so post surgery and then suddenly have to leave work because of complications (if it can be avoided at all). I appreciate you answering my question Dawn!! Thank you so much!

God Bless~

Gabrielle

You should be fine with your job. As I said earlier, careful with the heavy lifting. They say nothing heavier than 50lbs for at least 6 weeks after surgery. But I don't think groceries weigh 50lbs. I would leave the heavy dog food bags for someone else to lift though. 2 weeks is probably good for you. It does take a good 2 weeks to feel normal again.

Good luck to you. And please keep us posted.