Hi -

I'm getting mixed results when asking this question... How much time to I **reasonably** have to take off work?

I'm in Dental Sales, so I'm in and out of a car all day.... but not really carrying much. My surgeon is part of True Results, and the PA I've been seeing there says only 3-4 days. However, Another PA there is seeing my mom, who is having surgery with me, and told her a week, plus only light duty, not lifting, climbing etc, for 4-6 weeks (my mom's an insurance adjuster).

I've also read and heard that patients still aren't feeling quite right and are in pain a week or more after surgery...

What has your experience been?

Just wondering what the reality is....

I just posted this to answer another person's questions

"I had my surgery on a Wednesday and was back to work on Monday. I felt fine.. Yes I had lil pain but not bad enough were I needed to be at home. I also walked the mall the saturday after surgery. It really helped with my gas pains."

I really felt fine after a couple of days. I do work a desk job and have very minimal movement so I think for me it was like just recooperating at home. I had my surgery at True Results in Houston. My port area was sore up until last week but didnt bother me enough to miss work. But I have read some people are in LOTS of pain afterwards and need two weeks. I do believe it is per individual on how healthy you are and how much pain you can take.

Great thank you! I have a pretty good pain tolerance, but have never had surgery of any kind before, so we'll see Just worried about getting in and out of a car all day and standing on my feet trying to talk to dentists and staff.... ugh. Maybe I can work from home a few days....

My surgery is on a friday morning, and I was planning on going back to work on Monday, but I may need to take a few more days off....

I just had my surgery on Wednesday. I always thought I had a high pain tolerance, but for some reason this is kicking my behind. I also went back to work and my classes yesterday and to be quite honest, I should have stayed home. I have been getting really bad pains in my neck and shoulder from the gas that they blow you up with and the nurse I just talked to, says it should have gone away by now with all the walking and heating pad use I have done the last 5 days, but it's stll there. I have a sit down accounting job and honestly it hasn't made it easier, plus I have to sit in traffic quite a bit to get to work and any pothole or bump in the road hurts my port area. So if you are in and out of the car most of the day, just be careful. It hurts to turn and look at oncoming traffic at times. I try to take the back roads as much as I can right now:)

Good Luck to you.

I had surgery on a Monday and went back the following Monday. It was fine for me. I was really tired the first day back, but I'm sitting most of the day so it was no big deal. Since you are active in your job, I definitely suggest at least a week. Good luck!

unfortunately, i think it really does vary by person...

my surgery was thursday and i'd planned to return this coming thursday. called my boss and and asked if i could cancel the vacation days & come back today (tues) & he said no. now im stuck at home, bored & being unproductive.. letting the few vacation days ive accrued pass me by! in my case i wanted to be safe instead of sorry because i really cant use sick time if i'd underestimated my recovery. i guess it depends too how flexible your work is. if you can go back sooner than youd said you would because youre feeling great, wonderful. or if youve got a sick day or two stored, keep them in mind.

so basically... no straight answer to that question. lol.

It does vary by individual.

I just had my surgery done this past Thursday evening (1/26). I was planning on returning to work on Monday, but still felt pretty tired towards the afternoon. I returned to work today. I am also in sales, but I am working from the office for the next day or two and taking it slow. I feel fine, some pain here and there. The main thing for me is the lack of energy towards the afternoon. I think it has to do with the reduced calories. I would definately do more telemarketing when you return and slowly go back into cold calling the offices.

Thanks everyone!! My surgery is on a friday morning, so I'll probably try to work from home til at least the next Wednesday - just worried about the driving, and in and out of the car all day - like army mom said, driving and turning to look at traffic might be bothersome...

we'll see! Thanks for all of the replies!

Armymom - I'm so glad to know there is someone out there just like me! I had never had surgery before but thought I could do this with no problem as I have a very high tolerance to pain (or so I thought!!). I had my surgery on 1/24 (Tuesday) and was not able to get up and around GOOD until Thursday. I just feel like I was carry a bag around in my stomach that was about to drop out of my body and not to mention sharp pains in my port area...oh my! Went back to work on Monday and the driving thing was a little intense but it probably doesn't help that I have a little sports car either...lol! Each day is getting better, thank goodness

I took the whole two weeks recommended by my surgeon off and I am glad I did, I had a hernia repair done at the same time and I was really sore. Glad I took the time off to heal my brother passed away the day after my surgery, so that too was a part of my recovery.

I am also having hernia repair done at same time too.... seems like patients who have had that done have a little more recovery time... I had appt yesterday with nutritionist and PA for pre and post op diet, as well as EKG and PFT... I asked again about recovery, and my surgery is on Friday, they were pretty sure I could be back by Monday... however, I think I'm just gonna take a few extra days off in case I'm miserable

Joyce - so sorry to hear of your brother passing. My condolences. Hope you are doing well in your recovery and that the lap band has been good to you

I took the whole two weeks recommended by my surgeon off and I am glad I did, I had a hernia repair done at the same time and I was really sore. Glad I took the time off to heal my brother passed away the day after my surgery, so that too was a part of my recovery.

I also had a hernia repair and went back to work after 5 days off.

I had my surgery last Friday(1/27) and plan on going back to work tomorrow. I honestly thought I would feel better than I do at this point. Today is the first day that I have not been walking around my house holding my stomach as I also felt like it could drop out at any time!! I had a hernia repair at the same time so maybe that is part of the longer recovery process. I also had never had surgery of any kind and was maybe a bit too optimistic about how quickly I would be feeling better. Take your time and don't rush it.....trust me on that one.

My job requires that i lift 100lbs doesnt happen all the time but am concerned about time off. Any suggestions

Tks

Val - thanks for the inout, sorry you're still feeling bad! I, too, have never had surgery, and was thinking, oh, this will be a piece of cake, since the Dr's and PAs keep telling me I should be able to go back to work on Monday (after friday surgery!!!) I'm a little more realistic now since hearing everyone's experiences, and I'm gonna take a week off work, just to make sure I'm ready