So my surgery is scheduled for April 4. How long can I expect to be out of work? I was thinking 2 weeks, but I wasn't sure. I will also be having a hernia repair. Fortunately I work from home, but since my job is so stressful, I wanted to be able to give myself as much time as was needed, to concentrate on healing, and getting to know my new tummy.

Is 2 weeks about the norm?

I also work from home for an insuance company as customer service, which can get stressful especially as we have quotas to meet. I was only off work for one 1 week. But I did get up every hour just for a few minutes and walked around. This was important for me as I was taking Lovanox (blood thinners) to prevent blood clots. If I took any more time, I would had to take FMLA at reduced pay and I couldn't afford it. I do have a high tolerance of pain so it wasn't to bad for me. I think 2 weeks would be good.

Do you think 1 week was really enough for you? It's funny, people think that working from home is easy. I'm sure you can relate to the fact that it's anything but! Since you aren't right there in the office, you tend to work harder. And since it's always there, you tend to work longer. I'm a Systems analyst, so stress is the norm, and not the exception. Everyone wants their stuff fixed NOW, NOW NOW! I have enough time, so I'm not worried about that. And I can supplement my FMLA with sick time. I just want to make certain that I give myself enough time. Nothing worse than going back to work, and having to go out again.

Thanks so much for your response. Two weeks it is!

I too am a systems analyst, unfortunately I was down to a few days vacation, so I was sleeved in Mexico on Monday and flew home Thursday and was back to work on Friday. Much too soon! Fortunately I was able to take off between Christmas and New Years - boy I was having a tough time.

I am a teacher...and a very active one at that. i had surgery on Thursday. Returned the next Tuesday and worked half days followed by a busy weekend with my son's out of town basketball tournament. Returned to work full time the next week. Was tired when when I got home when I did the half days, but did great when I returned full time.

My doc would only give my work a 6 week off order...no less. I may be able to talk them out of a week or two later... I think its great to have a little extra time off, to get to know your sleeve and your limits too. I am at the beginning of my 3rd week right now, and I could probably go back to work now... but I think 4 weeks would be even better.

I work in an Office but have the ability to work from home when needed. I plan to take two weeks out of the office. The first for recovery and the second working at home, maybe just half days if needed. The job is too busy for me to take too much time off at one time. I am hoping that is enough.

I'm taking 5 weeks. I work from home most of the time but also travel quite a bit. Had the travel factor not be there, I prob would have only taken 3 weeks. I don't want any stress and it sounds like this is going to be quite an adjustment.

i' m taking 3 weeks off. I work on a busy medical/surgical floor at a hospital

and judging from a couple past surgeries I've had,I think 3 weeks will be ok for me.

Thought about just 2 weeks at first but I'd rather take the time off and not need it

than not take enough time off and realize i went back to work earlier than I should

have. i think people just have to try and know their bodies/themselves somewhat

and try to gauge what will hopefully work best for them. Good luck!

I was sleeved on Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010. I took one week off with an option for additional days up to another week if I needed it.

By the folowing Tuesday, one week after surgery, I was going stir crazy at home. I was fortunate and had no issues recovering; no nausea, no pain, nothing. I went back to work doing half days on Wed. Nov. 3. By that Friday I was back to full days.