Does it take 2 or 3 weeks to recover?

[Shea 13]

Hello,

I know many people have diffrent recovery times and no one can predict what will work for them. I was orginally thinking two weeks, but now I'm thinking about asking for three weeks because I know I have a low metabolism and stay tired a lot. I've heard many people are wiped out after surgery more than what they thought they would be and because I stay tired before surgery I figured it would be ten times worse after surgery. But I was thinking well I'm 30, so I may be able to bounce back in two weeks if I just get to moving as soon as possible. I'm not sure which would be safer. I would hate to go back to work and not make it through the day. I do have a sit down job so it doesnt require a lot of movement, but sometimes I run up and down stairs to get co-pays from patients but each day is different depending on how many patients we have that day. Any advice?

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,280]

Hi Shea,

Well I can tell you my experience and maybe that will help you make a decision for yourself. I am a very active person, and I was pre-sleeve as well. I could workout for hours and never really felt any kind of "tiredness" pre surgery.

That said, I'm absolutely GLAD I took 3 full weeks off from work. This surgery was pretty tough for me. I did feel a lot of fatigue, and trying to figure out how to eat and drink with the sleeve was a chore in itself. I also have a sit down job, but much like you its a more active role. I have to get up from my desk a lot to run papers, forms or files around here and there.

I would feel so run down and beat up after work for the first few weeks back too. I would sneak little cat naps in the quiet room daily until I finally started to get all my energy back.

Whatever you decide, just do what's best for you.

Good luck!

[PamelaAM 16]

I had the luxury of taking 6 weeks off of work - actuall 3 weeks off and then worked from home for 3 weeks. There is no way I could have gone back to an active job before 3 weeks. For me, the 6 week time frame was about right. But I had a really tough recovery and couldn't hardly get out of bed for the first 2 weeks. Everyone is different. I would suggest that you take as much time as possible off before going back.

[ChooseToChange 19]

I have a desk job and was back on day 9. It took me until week 3 to get back into the gym, but I was walking some everyday. Compression garment on my stomach helped a lot.

As for being tired i was always tired before surgery, but unlike before exercise in the morning gives me energy. Get your Water in. Good luck with your decision!

[Shea 13]

Thank you guys so much. I know it's hard to predict ahead of time but I guess it's probably better to take too much time than not enough. I'm looking at taking 3 weeks.... When taking off for three weeks was it hard to find people to cover you if you have a job that people would have to pitch in, where your co-workers okay with you taking that much time off, where you completely back-up when you went back to work?

[Rootman 1,101]

I was back to work after 4 days and thought I'd die. I had no more vacation and could not take leave for it. More time off IS better. If you CAN take it DO IT.

I felt truly crappy for MONTHS afterward and wish I could of had 4 weeks off.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,280]

Thank you guys so much. I know it's hard to predict ahead of time but I guess it's probably better to take too much time than not enough. I'm looking at taking 3 weeks.... When taking off for three weeks was it hard to find people to cover you if you have a job that people would have to pitch in, where your co-workers okay with you taking that much time off, where you completely back-up when you went back to work?

Actually, and surprisingly with my busy desk I really didn't come back to too many problems. Of course this doesn't mean you won't! Yes, my co-workers had to pitch in while I was away a little bit but it didn't seem to bother them too much.

I did though choose a time where I knew my work ebbed rather than flowed. That might be an option too. And you are right, it's better to take too much time off rather than not enough.

[kellyw74 258]

I exercised a lot prior to surgery because I was told it would help me recover faster. I believe it did.

I was sleeved on Monday and went back to work the following Monday. I was tired, as I became severly anemic after surgery, but I was fine! I have a desk job, so nothing too strenuous. I was a little sore like I did a lot of crunches, but that was all. I didn't have pain or wasn't sick.

Hope this helps!

Kelly

[Janese58 11]

For me I was up and able to go to work after one week, but Im a nanny, and my boss is a nurse and her husband a doctor so they wouldnt let me return to work until after 12 days. I am also 53 yrs old. 3 weeks seems like a long time. I was going crazy by the time I went back to work. Everyone is different.

[DreamLife36 6]

I was sleeved on August 31st. I took 2 1/2 weeks off. I think Im going to push it to 3 & 1/2 weeks. I need more time. But everyone's different. It's up to you and your body.

[MeMeMEEE 206]

I took 4 weeks and this was my first week back. No matter how well I felt, working an 8 hour day zapped me. Remember you are relearning how to eat and drink and your calorie intake is very low. I spent this 4 day week napping on my lunch and after work. 2nd day I clocked out after 2 hours and slept for 2 hours - I work from home in a desk job. I didn't shower or dress until the evenings, trying to conserve the little energy I had for work. Whatever the max is your Dr recommends you take, do it. Use vacation/sick time, FMLA, Short Term Disability - whatever you have to do but do it!!

[mctaverne 1]

My procedure is the 15th, and my doctor has told me that 10 days should be enough recovery before I head back to work. I have a compete sit down job, so I'm sure that makes a difference. I'm glad to hear about the exercise pre-surgery helps recovery. I've been working myself as hard as I can knowing that after surgery, I'm going to need to keep it up.

[kipepeo 0]

I took off 2 weeks and it was adequate. Energy is the only thing that I believe impacts us all past 2 weeks (i would even venture to say past 1 week there's no pain but low energy) so it depends on the pace of your work. But, we work so much, so hard, take a much time as you can to relax, heal, and get your mind around the new sleeve, before having to go back to work. Good luck!

[KateMarie 15]

My surgery is in two days. I have off from tuesday 9/13 until Monday. My surgeon said I would only need 3-4 days to recover. I'm freaking out now.

I was back to work after 4 days and thought I'd die. I had no more vacation and could not take leave for it. More time off IS better. If you CAN take it DO IT.

I felt truly crappy for MONTHS afterward and wish I could of had 4 weeks off.

[Janese58 11]

Dont freak out. Everyone is different. After 3 weeks time I felt like I hadnt even had surgery, so think positive.