I wanted to know how long you took off of work to have the surgery. I sit at my job for 8 hours a day, but my job is extremely stressful. I'm thinking two weeks off, but not sure. I will not be able to even talk to a surgeon until this spring.

I'm currently trying to decide between the lap band or the vertical sleeve. I'm leaning more towards the sleeve because I'm concerned of long term problems with the band such as slippage, erosion, etc.

Also I'm wondering what everyone paid, and I mean self pay. My insurance will not cover any weight loss surgery because my bmi is 37 and I have to have a bmi of 40 or greater.

I am a nurse and work in stressful environment. I took 4 weeks off and glad. The adjustment to the new lifestyle needs your total attention to be successful.

I am an RN,but i drive mostly, doing home visits. Nothing really physical. i plan to take off 2 weeks. Plenty of folks have returned in this time frame without complications. Hopefully this is the case for me. i have done liquid diets (medically supervised) for 6 weeks while working in the past and hopefully my 2 week liquid diet pre-op will prepare me for the change.

My surgeon just told me 4. 2 for recovery and 2 to begin to acclimate my body to foods.

Did u guys receive disability for your time off?

I took 2 weeks and could have gone back after a week. I physically feel fine. I used short term disability and FMLA for my leave.

I wanted to know how long you took off of work to have the surgery. I sit at my job for 8 hours a day' date=' but my job is extremely stressful. I'm thinking two weeks off, but not sure. I will not be able to even talk to a surgeon until this spring.

I'm currently trying to decide between the lap band or the vertical sleeve. I'm leaning more towards the sleeve because I'm concerned of long term problems with the band such as slippage, erosion, etc.

Also I'm wondering what everyone paid, and I mean self pay. My insurance will not cover any weight loss surgery because my bmi is 37 and I have to have a bmi of 40 or greater.[/quote']

No lapband it would take two weeks lapband won't work do the sleeve better success

I also have a desk job and am planning on just 1 week off. Anymore than that and I'm going to have trouble keeping my job.

Tabbymonroe check u out looking good lady !!!

Took two, but could have gone back after a week.

I work part time at a library opening up boxes of books and dvds and such and putting them in our system. And I'm only part time. So I will probably only take off a week so I don't fall behind and the only thing I would need assistance with would be lifting boxes which won't be a big deal.

I was out of work 9 days.

5 days total. Surgery was Friday. Back to work Wednesday.

I am a nail tech

Oh and I was self pay at Mexicali bariatrics. It included 3 nights IN the hospital with nurses taking care full time. Plus 3 leak tests which I was glad for. Fly in and out of San Diego. I chose this because the experience and care was far better than local hospitals that just send you home. And I wanted multiple leak tests so I would feel confident there would be no complications. Many in state people don't know how their new stomach works. I got to swallow something and watch the X-ray machine and see it for myself. And of course got to take it home

I highly highly recommend MBC. Cleanest hospital you will ever go to. Most skilled surgeons.

I have a desk job and was out 8 days. Was in the hospital 3 of those days (surgery Monday morning & released Wed afternoon). I could have very easily returned to work Monday but it was Christmas Eve so I returned to the office Wednesday. I had VSG and no problems.

Olivia, don't know about self pay, but if you are in the triangle area, consider Bariatric Specialists in Cary. There are also some surgeons in Charlotte with good records for the sleeve. You shouldn't have a problem finding a surgeon to do the operation close by you. My doc recommended the sleeve over the lap band, even though he could do either for approx same out of pocket for me. Again, not sure about self-pay. I have noticed that the prices quoted for surgery in Mexico are similar to what I will be paying out of pocket after my insurance pays.