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How Many Days Did You Take Off Work?



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I am having surgery May 11th. I have taken off Thursay for travel and Friday for the surgery. I haven't requested Monday or any other days off for recovery because I want to try and not use vacation days. I have a very sedentary desk job but at the same time there are many times throughout the day where I will have clients in front of me at my desk. How many days did you take off? Do you think I will be able to return to work within a few days after surgery? I am worried I will have someone at my desk and have to run to the bathroom and puke or something. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you.

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I'm a high school teacher.. I took 6 weeks off... Mainly because my job is stressful and i have to move computers, books, take stairs, etc. I would at least take 3 days or so off, just to make sure you're able to get your fluids down w/o issues.

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I took off 8 weeks, my first two weeks after surgery were ok however, weeks 3 and 4 were bad. I was totally exhausted and had no eneregy at all. I am so glad I did not go back to work after two weeks like I originally planned.

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I took off a week - and slept the entire time. Traveled across the country to a business appt one week later with a wheelchair assist. Very tired. I too slept often and felt weak during the first month. So, of you have little ones you may need a little more time to adjust.

Why are you worried about puking? This is not the lap band. I only puked when I ate too much or too fast. Not too many people call me a quick lady, but after puking once for each I slowed down and measured all my food.

If you can plan ahead, get meals ready easily and let go of normal household duties like laundry, bathroom scrubbing, dishes for a few weeks, then perhaps you could go back quickly. Is it an option to go back for half days that first week?

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I was able to take off 5 weeks from my job. I am an Exec Assistant and am mostly sedentary but sometimes not. Does your job offer short term disability? That is what I was approved for so I am getting paid 60% of my gross income while I am out. Was 5 weeks too much? Maybe but getting used to eating this way has been an ordeal for me too! And the last week, my nerve endings must be healing cuz I am getting pain in my left side when I turn or sit certain ways. So I am glad I was able to take the time off.

If I were you, I would AT LEAST take Monday and Tuesday off. This is MAJOR surgery you are having and you dont want to push yourself too soon if you dont have to. Having PTO in the bank is always nice but you need to keep in mind that your body is going to be healing and need your full attention.

My sleeve buddy went back to work the Wednesday after our surgery (Saturday) only because she works as an accountant and had to. She even said that she would have liked an extra couple of days off. So if you can take the extra couple of days, prepare for it and if you feel up to going to work, show up. :)

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I got back to work after about a week. No problems :)

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Thanks for bringing this up. I'm having my surgery on the 15th and have to be back to work on the 26th. There isn't any choice in the matter because I don't get sick or vacation days. I'm actually doing the surgery over my spring break (I'm a college professor). I hope that we both can make it during these short recovery times.

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3 days, desk job, it sucked. I would take at least 2 weeks if I had to do it over again.

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i had my surgery on a monday and did not go back to work until the next monday. so i took a full week off and for me that was ok. I to have a desk job however by mid day i really could have used a nap. I would take as much time as you can just to be on the safe side..

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Thank you everyone. I appreciate the input. I think I am just going to take a week off and not risk being too miserable. Were going to be down two people that week (in a five person office). Oh well. They are going to have to cope. lol

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I had my surgery wednesday, came out of hospital thursday, we went sight seeing (walked miles, getting on and off trams etc) durin the day, then travelled home to the uk from europe (7 hour train ride) in the evening on the friday, was back at work and 100% fine by the monday, so had 3 working days off including op day.

Good luck x

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Wow Cludgie!! That sounds crazy!! You're a real trooper!!

I am a SAHM but I took 3 wks off "work" :) My husband took 3 weeks off from his job & did everything. I barely moved. Not sure if it was because I had 3 surgeries in one - sleeve, gall bladder & a hiatal hernia, but I was exhausted! A couple times I slept 20 hours a day! Its different for everyone but I needed every day of those 3 weeks due to extreme fatigue.

Good luck!!!

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I had surgery on Thursday and went back to work on Monday as an after school teacher. Everyone was so surprised how I could bend over and tie my shoes...lol My husband was trying to baby me but there is no need. I have to remind myself I had surgery a short time ago because I'm not in pain.

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I asked my dr's assistant how many days she recommends ppl take off and she said 3 weeks. So I took 3 weeks. I couldnt bend over until about 2 weeks po. Just started sleeping on my right or left side at 3 weeks. Talking about this reminds me that today is my last day of " freedom! Back to work tomorrow :)

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I am having surgery May 11th. I have taken off Thursay for travel and Friday for the surgery. I haven't requested Monday or any other days off for recovery because I want to try and not use vacation days. I have a very sedentary desk job but at the same time there are many times throughout the day where I will have clients in front of me at my desk. How many days did you take off? Do you think I will be able to return to work within a few days after surgery? I am worried I will have someone at my desk and have to run to the bathroom and puke or something. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you.

Hi Danity! I am also a Dr. Aceves patient - although I won't be getting my revision until May 25. My other option was the 11th though! lol

I am having my surgery on a Friday and plan on going back to work the following Tuesday.

When I had my band I had surgery on Friday and went back to work the following Monday with no issues. I have a semi-desk job. Some of it is here at my desk, but other times I am up and moving a lot.

I've always had a high pain tolerance, I feel bad for others that have such a rough recovery time from surgeries!!

Best of luck to you!!! ;)

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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