Will I be able to function? I have to go right back to work

[chilljill 1]

I am having the Gastric Sleeve procedure on Friday, Sept. 23. I then have 2 nights in the hospital and one night at a hotel returning home Monday Sept. 26. I then need to go right back to work on Tuesday Sept 27. If I feel terrible I might be able to work from home for a day or two but by Wednesday or Thursday of that week I really will have to get back to the office.

I've read so many postings both from people with really difficult recoveries and people with fairly smooth recoveries--- I'm just trying to get a sense of my odds at being able to go back to work that quickly?

Any feedback would be much appreciated. The rush is because I'm a temp at my job and A. really need to get back to work to get paid. Also, because I'm a temp- I don't know people well and it doesn't feel comfortable sharing with them that I am having this surgery-- so I've just said that i'll be out of the office for a few days and haven't explained why. I'm also afraid that if I tell people- I will jeopardize my chances of this job becoming permanent-- if I get too much attention for WLS-- I think it might overshadow my work contribution (regardless of how valuable I am :-)

So, the type of work I do will let me sit at my desk all day-- I don't need to be up and around but I need to be not zonked on pain meds and not too tired to sit upright in my chair.... is there any hope for me?

I am having my surgery in Mexico so, I'm trying to believe that because they let people fly home 3 days post surgery-- if I can get through that-- I can get through a day at the office?

To compound the problem- I also am a single mom with a 4 year old daughter at home that I need to take care of when I'm not at work. Will I be able to handle it?

about me-- I'm 39 and in very good health --- except for the 80-100lbs I need to lose.

[wishes 125]

Honestly, it would be hell, in my opinion, but you could get through it. But definitely listen to your body and don't over tax yourself.

[FishingNurse 1,211]

I had my surgery on Tuesday and went back Monday, I would have been ok that Sunday too.

[LUCYCAT 6]

I wouldn’t have been able to go back so soon. I have been told that everyone has a different experience. A friend of mine went back to work the same week. She kept telling me how easy it was to recover from this surgery. Let’s just say, after I had my surgery- if I had been able- I would have kicked her butt.

Listen to your body is very good advice. Don’t push to go back too soon.

[chilljill 1]

Oh, that's very encouraging- thank you! If my recovery doesn't go smoothly- I'll deal with it but, I'm relieved to hear that if things go well- I'll be ready. Because I really do believe things will go smoothly-- thank you and congratulations on your success! I can't wait to get there!

[Indymom 132]

I had my surgery on a Wednesday and went back to work the following Tuesday. That first week back was tough but I got through it. Good luck for a quick recovery!

[dramagirl28 22]

Just don't expect to be 100% yourself. You may be able to make it through but it will be tough for sure. Definitely listen to your body. You can always tell them you had surgery to remove an ulcer. From what I've read on here it's a similar recovery.

[phillygirl 1]

I had my surgery done on Monday and was back to work on Friday. I didn't even stay in the hospital over night....surgery at 9:00am and home by 3:00pm. The first 2 days were the roughest, but overall not nearly as painful as I expected, more discomfort than pain. The tricky part for me was getting the liquids in while I worked. I really had to pay attention to sipping and making sure that I made an effort to keep track of the liquid. I was allowed to drive on day 3 but I had a family member drive me for the first few days. Also, I was still a little sore when I went back but not so bad that I couldn't work. If your recovery is anything like mine, you will be ok. There might be a few bumps in the road but you should be fine.

[Eyemallrt 16]

I have a desk job also, I was off for 10 days, 5 or 6 would have been ok. I'm 15 days out now, and occasionally hit the wall. I expect with taking in so few calories that that is normal for the first while. I do have trouble remembering to drink at work, so I try to make up for it once I get home.

[Just-A-Gem 86]

I had my surgery on Friday and went back to work on the following Thursday. I wasn't scheduled to go back until the Monday after that but I felt well enough. I work in a desk job that I do have to move around at (dropping off books, picking up drawing packages, etc.). I only stayed 6 hrs that first day and then Friday I stayed the full 8 hours.

It's really impossible to predict how you will feel post op, so just take it day by day and try to rest as much as you can, while you can.

[tjharmon 11]

i had my surgery on wednesday--i haven't taken any pain pills--i could have easily been back to work by sunday without any problems

[Soup-a-Woman 43]

Water, Water, water! The only problems I had after surgery was because I let myself get super dehydrated by not sipping all day. I had my surgery on a Friday and went back 10 days later on a Monday. I'm a teacher, and it was strenuous... no sitting at all. I would've been fine - tired, yes, but fine - except for the fact that I couldn't get my water in. Put a bottle right on your desk and work at it consciously. You can do this!

[Deakay 15]

my pain was very minimal, didn't even take the pain meds they sent me home with.......but I was very tired. I also sit at a desk all day. Had surgery on a Monday, worked half day that Thursday and then was gone until the following Monday. Didn't really have any issues, but I was in bed at 9:00 every night for a while.

[thinoneday 445]

I am having the Gastric Sleeve procedure on Friday, Sept. 23. I then have 2 nights in the hospital and one night at a hotel returning home Monday Sept. 26. I then need to go right back to work on Tuesday Sept 27. If I feel terrible I might be able to work from home for a day or two but by Wednesday or Thursday of that week I really will have to get back to the office.

I've read so many postings both from people with really difficult recoveries and people with fairly smooth recoveries--- I'm just trying to get a sense of my odds at being able to go back to work that quickly?

Any feedback would be much appreciated. The rush is because I'm a temp at my job and A. really need to get back to work to get paid. Also, because I'm a temp- I don't know people well and it doesn't feel comfortable sharing with them that I am having this surgery-- so I've just said that i'll be out of the office for a few days and haven't explained why. I'm also afraid that if I tell people- I will jeopardize my chances of this job becoming permanent-- if I get too much attention for WLS-- I think it might overshadow my work contribution (regardless of how valuable I am :-)

So, the type of work I do will let me sit at my desk all day-- I don't need to be up and around but I need to be not zonked on pain meds and not too tired to sit upright in my chair.... is there any hope for me?

I am having my surgery in Mexico so, I'm trying to believe that because they let people fly home 3 days post surgery-- if I can get through that-- I can get through a day at the office?

To compound the problem- I also am a single mom with a 4 year old daughter at home that I need to take care of when I'm not at work. Will I be able to handle it?

about me-- I'm 39 and in very good health --- except for the 80-100lbs I need to lose.

Hi, well from a medical aspect, it is safe to say that every body is different, what was great for me, may not be great for you. My recovery will definately not be your recovery. . . it's all individual. . .so just play it by ear and see how you feel. . just remember the soon you start your recovery after surgery, the sooner you'll be up and about doing your own thing. . so make sure you don't feel sorry for yourself and get up as soon as possible after surgery and walk A LOT!!!! also sip a lot to get rehydrated. . . these two things are the most important thing to remember to your recovery. . . Good Luck and congratulations on your upcoming surgery!

[Forensikchic 528]

I had surgery on Monday and was home Wednesday. I went back to work on Monday. I was tired but I sit at a desk too and I did okay. It wasnt easy the first few days but it wasnt due to pain, just very tired. I took it easy at work and that was helpful. I was back to my old self workwise by the end of the week. You can do this, as long as you dont have complicatons and you sip, sip, sip!