I FINALLY got my appointment to get all of my pre-op testing done. It will take place this Friday morning. I am really worried about getting the surgery and missing work. I get two weeks of vacation time, and 48 hours of personal time. I am really worried that when I do finally have the surgery, that I will have to miss more than that. Can anyone give me an estimate on how long you had to take off of work.

P.S. I don't have a good pain tolerance, if this helps any!

Hi,

I think each person is different. Before my surgery I kept reading post from people that went back to work about 2 weeks after surgery. So that's what I planned to do. But, I am going to be out of work for 3 weeks and 2 days. I ended up with a lot of swelling after surgery and my one night stay in the hospital turned into 6 nights. You just never know.

If I would have contacted HR first, I could have used my short term disability leave (starts after being out of work for 2 weeks-but you only get 66 and 1/3 % of your pay) and I could have saved some of my PTO. If you are going to be out more than two weeks, you should check with your HR department about FMLA and short term disability leave.

Toyia

i was ready to go back 2 days ago, after only having the surgery onn the 16th. everyone is different.

I am taking the whole 4 weeks recommended by my Doctor. I have no energy right now at 2 weeks. I am using FMLA and short term disability. Alot of people go back alot sooner.

I FINALLY got my appointment to get all of my pre-op testing done. It will take place this Friday morning. I am really worried about getting the surgery and missing work. I get two weeks of vacation time, and 48 hours of personal time. I am really worried that when I do finally have the surgery, that I will have to miss more than that. Can anyone give me an estimate on how long you had to take off of work.

P.S. I don't have a good pain tolerance, if this helps any!

I hate to sound like a broken record, but like the others said --- everyone is different.

I was able to complete paperwork for a medical leave of absence at my work, which allowed me to be off for 6 weeks. It was fabulous having that much time off of work. In reality, had I not been allowed the medical leave I probably would have been good to go back to work at the 3 week mark, I have a desk job so that wasnt an issue,, the biggest issue I had was fatique and natiousness,,, the Natiousness left around the 4 week mark, but being so fatiqued took much longer, I was sooo tired at night...

Good Luck, it will be well worth it

I was really tired, but able to go back on day 7 and was fine! Just sore and tired.

I have a desk job and was fine, really!

Kelly

I was sleeved Aug 9th and went back to work at the clinic Aug 15th. I think your 2 weeks iff will be perfect.

My surgery is not until November but I will be taking 3 weeks off; to make sure I have my strength back. I have a desk job to but I still have to interact with people 8 hours a day and don’t want to look tired or worn out. If you have the time, take it and allow yourself to heal.

My surgery is scheduled for Sept. 20 and I am only planning on taking a week off. Like so many others, I;ve read posts where people go back ina few days or after a week. I think it depends on the person. I'm sure you'll be fine.

All the best,

Niki

OHHHHHHH i am getting worried, i start school full time on the 29th and surgery the 30th , my plan is to be back to school and work in 1 week, i usually bounce back pretty easily, and i do understand that everyone is different, i am actually missing my 1st week of school and havent been in 30 years and jumping in full time, i am really starting a new life, wish me luck........................

I'm a teacher so I really didn't have a choice as to when to go back to work. I started work this Monday, which was day 13 post op for me. I'm really tired at the end of the day and when I have to walk the building a lot but I'm ok. I do come home and take a short nap after work. And my pain tolerance is VERY low but I was actually feeling much better on day 10.

Hope this helps.

Thank you all for your input! I was actually told by my supervisor that since it is considered an elective surgery I am not eligible for the FMLA. But with vacation time that I have, and accumulated personal time, I am sure if I need it I can use it.

Thank you all for your input! I was actually told by my supervisor that since it is considered an elective surgery I am not eligible for the FMLA. But with vacation time that I have, and accumulated personal time, I am sure if I need it I can use it.

Just becaus it's "elective" does not mean you can't qualify. The surgery is usually deemed medically needed from your doctor. I would double check with HR I have heard tons of ppl use FMLA I'm applying also even tho I will prolly will not need it.

I agree - I qualified, using my FMLA now

I don't think that this is considered "elective" if you have the co-morbidities etc. Maybe that varies plan to plan... but my view is that getting a facelift is elective surgery, but WLS is medically necesary for obese persons.

As a person who has been a supervisor/manager - don't trust what he says, go to the HR experts in your company.

Thank you all for your input! I was actually told by my supervisor that since it is considered an elective surgery I am not eligible for the FMLA. But with vacation time that I have, and accumulated personal time, I am sure if I need it I can use it.

Actually they can't say you are ineligible because it is elective surgery. FMLA is a federally mandated program and one of the stipulations is a "serious medical condition" which is later defined as being admitted to a hospital overnight OR having two or more visits with a physician and all surgeries would fall into this category. Having a baby is "elective" except for those of us who didn't plan it but were thrilled it happened. Whoever told you "not eligible" shame on them - they obviously are not an HR professional. Reb