Hi. I am from Texas and I am in the process of getting a date (have been approved for a while now) but first I have to a educational class which is this Wed. I'm sure I will know more about some of the food questions I have but I have some real life questions I need answered.

I have been on this site for a while now but took some time off because I was trying to get the money together to have the surgery done. Being a single mom and trying to do something to better not just my life but my kids life is taking a lot out of me (being over weight isn't helping the matter).

I'm working two jobs now and have finally saved enough to have it done! YAY!!

Now for the questions....

How long should someone with a great pain tolerance be prepared to take off work?

How dependent will I be on someone for help? My daughters a 15 and 17 and I guess I'm not wanting to be a huge burden on them so should I have someone help me out?

These are the only two things that really have me worried. I think I will recover fairly easy but DO NOT want to be a bother to everyone. I already feel real selfish for having this surgery but know I need it so I can be a better mom and live a longer, healthier life.

In my opinion, 2 weeks off work is a decent amount of time to recover. I know people who had the surgery on Thurs and was back to work on Monday. It's possible but not encouraged! I was extremely swollen (my tummy was) and therefore required a lot of time to just relax and nap and get used to my sleeve. Sipping, walking, napping, etc. I have two small children and was very lucky to have my mom watch them for me the first week, and then the second week my aunt took them to day care for me! It was a blessing! As for having someone there to help take care of you... I dont think that's needed. You will be able to walk, cook, take a shower, etc and really wont need anyone around all the time to look after you. Your girls being as old as they are will be all the help you'll need.

I think it depends on what type of work you do also. I have not had my surgery yet. I have mine on a Monday, plan on returning to wrk (limited) on that Thursday. Only because I have a desk job and work from home. If I were driving into work, I might take the whole week off. My surgeon told me 1 1/2 weeks is the usual. I'm sure I will only do half days on that Thurs. and Fri. Then hoping by the next Monday (one week out) working back to normal.

I hope I'm not pushing it either. My boss knows what I'm doing and said take all the time I need. But the bad thing is no one does my job so I don't want it to pile up. LOL

My program automatically gives 4 weeks. You can request if you want less or need more.

I went back to my desk job on day 9 of recovery. It was fine, although tiring. It's an odd sort of fatigue - I wasn't in pain, but I reached a point where I was just "done." After that point I just really couldn't be productive physically or mentally anymore. It rolled around about 3 or 4 o' clock, so I had to suffer through the last hour and a half of the day being very sluggish. Getting the train home after that felt like a monumental effort, etc.

I'm at 3 weeks now though, and my energy is much higher, although not completely back. I overdid it a couple of times and it was not a nice feeling, so DO ask for the help you need - you won't need enough to be imposing on anyone, and it will make a big difference for you feeling better faster to not push it.

As far as feeling selfish, I completely understand, but don't!!! In the long run, it is very unselfish because of the reasons you listed for why you want it. It is not selfish to want to be a healthy person. No one is going to be mad at you for needing to take it easy for a few weeks when it ultimately means that you will be around for an extra decade or two! Good luck and congrats on working hard and saving up!

Thank you! I do have a desk job that 8-5 so I'm not really worried about coming back to work for that, but my second job is bar tending. I am on my feet all night and having to lift cases of beer is not going to do well for the incisions I'm sure.

However I'm not sure I even want to go back to that job since it was just a way for me to save money to have the surgery done anyway. It is a huge relief that I won't be a bother to anyone also. I think that's my biggest fear.

Thanks again

Julie

If you don't have to work bartending, then don't...or at least not for a few weeks. I don't think you are allowed to lift anything heavy for awhile. What part of Texas are you in? Who is yoru surgeon?

I live near College Station Tx. and Dr. Mason is my surgeon.

I think it is a great idea not to go back to the bartending job for maybe a month if at all. I would HATE for anything to be pulled loose or messed up after surgery.