Hello everyone! I've been reading everything for months but have just now become an active "poster" for this forum. Reading all the information on this site helped in my decision to be banded.

What is the average time taken off after your band surgery? I am only taking two weeks off from work. I hope it's enough. Also, this slimfast diet I'm on is uuuhhhhhgggg!!! I'm hanging in there but does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

:biggrin1:

NowItsPlanB

Scheduled for 06/14/06

Hi PlanB,

Welcome to LapBandTalk! I felt pretty good at two weeks and probably could have gone to work. On the other hand, I've seen plenty of posts that wouldn't have made that two week deadline, or wished they had taken off a little more time.

Congratulations on your surgery date. Where are you having it done? I mean, who's your surgeon?

Good luck on your journey!

It does seem to vary. I'm only 3 days after my band. While I'm doing great (off pain meds), I do still tire easily. I think it depends too on how physical your job is.

I have a full time sit down job where occassionally I have to get up, move boxes to pull records and walk around. I took 1 full week off and on the 2nd week I worked 5 hours the first day and built myself up to the 8 hours by that Friday. It's important you don't lift anything heavy for quite some time. Your doc will let you know how long but, mine said nothing over 15 pounds for 8 weeks.

I had the surgery on Tuesday, May 30th. The procedure seems to have gone as planned. I am scheduled to return to work Monday, June 5th. I was still in pain on Tuesday but I was not nauseated so I haven't taken the nauseu med yet. I drank a lot of water Tuesday and Wednesday. I did take the pain med Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday night I took some to help me to sleep. I couldn't seem to get comfortable in bed. I had 7-9 pillows to support my stomach and my back. It didnt' help much. Thursday (two days after the procedure) I got up and took my kids and myself to an annual dental checkup. I drove. It was about 15 minutes from home. It took about 3 hours. I didn't think that I was going to make it but the drive and the movement helped the gas to start to move from my body. Friday was another doctor's appointment for my kids (annual physical) and I didn't have anybody to take them, so, I did. Once again I drove. It was a difficult drive. It was about 25 minutes from the house and becasue I could feel every bump and ridge in the road, it took me about 40 minutes to get there (I was driving 15-25 mph). Once at the doctor's building, I took baby steps to get to the office. After the appointment I started to feel better- much better. I later took one of my children to the salon for a hair cut (yes this was this afternoon). When we(the kids and me) finally got home, I came in and collapsed on the bed. Surprisingly, most of the pain and discomfort is now gone. I plan to stay in tomorrow and Sunday but I think Monday will be a good day for me at work. I have left myself an out by saying that next week may be 4-6 hour workdays.

I only took about 3 days off work, but I have a sit down job, went back for half days for a couple days then back to full time.

Thank you all for your replys. I feel much better knowing about your experiences. I'm sooooo excited!!!!!

I had surgery on the Wednesday before spring break and so I had a total of 11 days recovering before I went back to school. I probably could have gone back about 7 days post-op but was glad to have the additional days.

JUST REMEMBER to walk walk walk as soon as you can and as often as you can. Even if it is only a trip around the house for the first few days, every little bit helps to work the anesthesia (and gas) out of you and get you back on the road to recovery!!

And that stinks about the Slim-Fast diet. I just had to do a low fat diet to shrink liver, thankfully, because that stuff is NASTY! Best of luck for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery!!

;)Kristin

Hi Congratulations! I will be a June Bandster with you, lets keep in touch. I will have my surgery on June 26th in PV, MX :- )

My daughter 22 went back to work the following Monday after having surgery on Tuesday. She did just fine. She is also healing a lot quicker then me.

I myself was still whinning for at least two weeks. At four weeks I started feeling more like my old self again.

I'm making notes. Walk, walk, walk. No heavy lifting. This forum is such a blessing. I do not know a single soul personally that has been banded so every response on here is greatly appreciated. I've got 11 more days until surgery. It seems like it is taking forever and this nasty slimfast diet doesn't help the time fly. I've found sucking ice chips battles hunger, and I've read enough books lately that my eyes hurt. I'm rooting for you all in your endeavor for a healtier life. Thanks for your input!!!!!

I've been a lurker for about a month, but now that I am officially on the calendar, I thought I'd join in some discussions.

I just got the call yesterday - I'm getting banded on July 5th. I work for our school district, so I will be done with work for the summer on June 23rd and I don't go back until the end of August. So I'll have 6 weeks post-op to just concentrate on myself. They were really good about getting me in in the time frame that I needed.

Good luck to you!

Good luck to you too ericsmom!

;)Kristin