Hello. I am seeing my surgeon on Monday and hope to schedule the banding with in four weeks. I am private pay so not tied to insurance processes. I have very little PTO (paid time off) so I really can't afford to be off from work very long--maybe 10 days. Plus I don't want anyone to know I have done this ( people at work). Is it possible? Any advice? Thank you.

I'm not sure what kind of job you have but if you have a desk job then I wouldn't think you would need more than a week off. I had surgery on Thursday and was back to work on Monday but I have a pretty high pain tolerance. If you have a more physical job you may need more time.

As far as keeping it from your co-workers goes, I can tell you what I did...I took my PTO days and just said I was staying home and taking care of a lot of errands and projects that had been piling up. Since they thought I wasn't doing anything particularly interesting they really didn't ask any questions.

Hello. I am seeing my surgeon on Monday and hope to schedule the banding with in four weeks. I am private pay so not tied to insurance processes. I have very little PTO (paid time off) so I really can't afford to be off from work very long--maybe 10 days. Plus I don't want anyone to know I have done this ( people at work). Is it possible? Any advice? Thank you.

Depends on your job. I had surgery on Wednesday and back to work the following Monday. I work both in office and in the field. I worked in my office the first week back and waited until the following week to venture out to the field. My job does not involve any heavy lifting.

Good luck.

I has banded on a Monday, went back the following Monday. I have a desk job and felt that I could have went back on Thursday.

I have a desk job. I was banded on Thursday and could have gone back to work on Monday but didn't go til Tuesday, since Monday was Memorial day. Maybe try to plan it over Labor Day weekend.

Also check to see what your doctor recommends.

Hello. I am seeing my surgeon on Monday and hope to schedule the banding with in four weeks. I am private pay so not tied to insurance processes. I have very little PTO (paid time off) so I really can't afford to be off from work very long--maybe 10 days. Plus I don't want anyone to know I have done this ( people at work). Is it possible? Any advice? Thank you.

HI - I TOOK A WEEK OFF FOR THE LAP BAND AND IT WAS ENOUGH TIME FOR ME. I KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAD SURGERY ON A WEDNESDAY AND WENT BACK TO WORK ON MONDAY...EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT BUT THE NORM IS ABOUT A WEEK... I KEPT MINE QUIET TOO...

HI - I TOOK A WEEK OFF FOR THE LAP BAND AND IT WAS ENOUGH TIME FOR ME. I KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAD SURGERY ON A WEDNESDAY AND WENT BACK TO WORK ON MONDAY...EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT BUT THE NORM IS ABOUT A WEEK... I KEPT MINE QUIET TOO...

Also consider your drive time. I have a hour in the am and over an hour in the pm commute. I am in no hurry to get back to the stress which helped (??) get me to how I am today ....

Thank you to everyone who responed to my getting back to work question. I really appreciated the sound advice based on your own experience. The next question will have to do with the food part while at work. How do you manage the 2nd week's restrictions while at work?

I'm a teacher and was banded on a Saturday and went back to work on the Monday.

I didn't tell anyone I was banded so it was a bit of a challenge at first but I managed. I was afraid of the surgery since I had never had surgery before but the more active you are after the faster you heal.

For ym second week of foods which was mushies it was ok trying to survive at work.

I would have rice porriage ( with tuna) or mach potatoes, veggies and cheese melted on top, coup of some sort etc.

If someone asked why i was eating thing I would say I'm on a detox or make up some diet ( the dutch diet etc).

That way people knew I was trying to lose weight and wouldn't wonder how I did it when I did drop some pounds.

I spoke to my Dr and they said in a week you'll be fine, but they'd recommend 2 weeks. I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you take it easy after the surgery. Good luck!!