Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How long were you off work?



Recommended Posts

My husband and I (both hoping to be sleeved in the coming months) have desk jobs...so how long should we realistically expect to be off work? I know some people say just a couple of days, some people say weeks.

What's a "real" amount of time to plan to be off?

Thanks! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The reason you see so many different answers to this question is because it's individual. Some people bounce right back, others don't. I think 2 weeks is a good starting point because you'll at a bare minimum be on full liquids by then (or mushies/soft foods if your post op diet advances faster). It's hard to have any real strength or stamina on Clear Liquids. I think 2 weeks is also a fair amount of time to allow your body to heal and to feel safe that there will be no complications.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The reason you see so many different answers to this question is because it's individual. Some people bounce right back, others don't. I think 2 weeks is a good starting point because you'll at a bare minimum be on full liquids by then (or mushies/soft foods if your post op diet advances faster). It's hard to have any real strength or stamina on clear liquids. I think 2 weeks is also a fair amount of time to allow your body to heal and to feel safe that there will be no complications.

Ditto!! Plan two weeks to be safe. By end of week 1 you will probably think you could go into work but, unless your work allows naps, you will be feeling very tired by midafternoon. Give it 2 weeks to get your body accustomed to new energy levels.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My husband and I (both hoping to be sleeved in the coming months) have desk jobs...so how long should we realistically expect to be off work? I know some people say just a couple of days, some people say weeks.

What's a "real" amount of time to plan to be off?

Thanks! :)

I went back to work one week after the surgery. I would have liked to stay home longer, but they couldn't do without me. I have a desk job, too. The incision points were a little sensitive and I made sure to wear something loose around the waist. Besides getting tired quicker than normal, I did fine. I just took it easy in the evenings and didn't ask much more out of myself on workdays.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm going back to work tomorrow, six days following my surgery. I'm sure I'll regret it tomorrow, but I need the money to get back to college next month. Such is the life of a seasonal, "at will" employee who goes to school, I guess.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi. I had my sleeve done last Tuesday and was told that I should be off work for 4 to 6 weeks. The doctor stressed that it was important to give yourself at least 4 weeks to rest up to reduce the risk of damage to the stomach, hernias and also light headedness, fatigue and a lack of concentration. Hope that helps.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This differs so much by person. If you're like me, no complications, no nausea or other problems, I felt fine to go back at the 10 day mark. I'm 2 weeks out and am pretty much 100% fine. Just no heavy lifting/exercise.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm going back to work tomorrow, six days following my surgery. I'm sure I'll regret it tomorrow, but I need the money to get back to college next month. Such is the life of a seasonal, "at will" employee who goes to school, I guess.

Be careful and take it easy on yourself Go Kart.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Be careful and take it easy on yourself Go Kart.

Oh, I will be. They already know I'm coming off surgery and that I'll be heading home if I don't feel well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My husband and I (both hoping to be sleeved in the coming months) have desk jobs...so how long should we realistically expect to be off work? I know some people say just a couple of days, some people say weeks.

What's a "real" amount of time to plan to be off?

Thanks! :confused1:

Time off work is based on the individual, I plan on taking 5 weeks off from work one reason my company will pay me for it and the second reason is I would like to stay home and get use to the new stomach and eating habits that come with it. Hope this helps!:lol0::)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my sleeve done 6/29 and felt great the first week. Got the dr to say I could go back to work (I work from home) about 10 days post op and THEN all hell broke loose with me. I was on some blood pressure meds that had a diuretic and I developed nausea and diarrhea anytime I drank too much (not overfilling my stomach mind you...I was drinking slowly, but after a certain amount of time I would start heaving). I got super dehydrated and had to go back on medical leave after one day back at work. I'm still off but trying to get the ok to go back this week.

Like everyone has said, it really depends on how you do, but I would plan on at least 2 weeks to be safe. Once you start being able to eat mushies, I think you will have more energy and feel better and more apt to handle going back to work. You'd be surprised how much just sitting around can take out of you when you aren't fueling your body all that well.

Best of luck to you :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went back to work after one week, and other than being unusually tired in the afternoon, I was fine. I work in a small office and my co-workers knew about the surgery and were understanding.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Looks like I'll be off at least three weeks. I was out 2, went in for 1/2 day and been a hurt puppy since. Everybody is different so there is not a standard. Do what is right for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In my opinion (for what it's worth), just be sure to drink at least your 64 oz. of Water. Sometimes when we are at work, we forget to drink. You will be dehydrated after surgery, they will pump you with fluids in the hospital, but the number one reason for hospital readmittance is dehydration. It's hard to get that Water down. It took me SEVERAL weeks to get it all down, and I DID become seriously dehydrated. I became so incredibly tired it was all I could do to get up and exercise as I was required. That is pretty much where all my energy went till I was able to get myself (several weeks later) properly hydrated.

Good luck...best of wishes coming your way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×