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 took 5 wks off with 4 being pd from my short term disability. I could have gone back sooner but feel like when i go back next wk i will have a good grasp on how to get fluids..protein etc in while working. Also was worth being at home when certain foods did NOT agree!

I'm shocked to hear people go back to work so early.. i too sit all day and high stress job.. but no way i cannot see myself going back to normal so quickly i did have complications early on but for me dealing with work and recover at the same time was not gonna happen... taking care of myself to recover completely was my focus recovery first work second.. i took as much time as my doctor allowed for sleeve (6weeks) and then i took a leave on top of that but no pay... for a few more weeks.. my insurance did cover the sleeve but it took a long time to get approved .... i recommend the sleeve a friend of mine has lap and hasn't worked for her at all she gained weight cuz the band eventually lets you fall back to all the bad habits if you don't continue with band adjustments.. with sleeve there is no way you can cheat your stomach will not let you overeat!!!!

Wow, I wish I could've taken off that long. I had my surgery on Wednesday aug 20th, a revision from band to sleeve same day, and I'm literally at work now. Bi feel great, I'm an RN and a hairstylist. I am used to staying really busy. Staying at home for 2 days was driving me crazy, I kept leaving out and walking on short walks, no pain, maybe minimal gas every once in a while but I feel great. When I did the lap band, I had the surgery on Monday morning, went home Tuesday, returned right back to nursing school on Wednesday.

I was 28 hours post op flew home and three days later I was back to school and work full time. I had a short recovery time but I feel great. Gotta walk off the pains and start yourself slowly.

Oh yes sorry I was banded not sleeved. Must be my finals week and my brain not working .