I'm currently trying to plan out my next few month which will hopefully include my gastric sleeve surgery. As a project-based freelancer, I have the challenge of trying to find an appropriate time for surgery & recovery that will gel with my current & future projects.

One thing that I'm trying to figure out is how much time I should truly block off for recovery. My doctor says I should be able to go back to work in 7-10 days since I have an office-based job (little physical activity necessary).

In your experiences, what is realistic when it comes to recovery time?

I took a month off but I had FMLA and was paid 100%. At 3 weeks I could have gone back but felt much better at 4 weeks. Of course I'm also 54 years old so that had an impact too.

I had surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on Tuesday. I took a low dowe of pain medicine. I also have an office job and very supportive coworkers.

I felt better after 7 days but since my FMLA covered 2 weeks, I of course went back after 2 weeks. Don't rush anything, take as much time as you possibly can.

I could have gone to work on day 7, but didn't. I went back around day 12. I used the Christmas vacation time for my surgery. I really recovered much more quickly than I expected to.. Except for a few days where I was really tired and run down and dealing with constipation, I felt like a million bucks.

I guess it depends on the person and their prior health situation. I was off for six weeks, I also had FMLA and was paid at 100%. I was trying to focus on me and my new life changes, so that's why it took me so long.

I had surgery on a Teusday and wend back to work on the following Monday. There were some restrictions with what i could lift, less than 20lbs.

I have my surgery on 02/22/12 and was out for 2 weeks before returning to my office job. I was maybe a little slower than I was before the surgery and had lifting limitations, but I was fine. After a few weeks, maybe a month or so, my energy level was back up to a good point.

I felt better after 7 days but since my FMLA covered 2 weeks' date=' I of course went back after 2 weeks. Don't rush anything, take as much time as you possibly can.[/quote']

Why did your fmla only, cover 2 weeks

I took two weeks, mostly to allow myself time to heal and to adjust to the new way of doing things. Week two was where I really started to feel more like myself and was able to plan out how I wanted to tackle going back to work, which I don't think I could have done my first week.

After my 2wk check-up, my doc said i could go back on light duty, but not available to me. My job requires alot of lifting, so he was very strict on 6wks.

i took two weeks off and it was more than enough time. i also have a 2 year old and do everything by myself and by day 5 i was feeling great! everyone is different and heals different though

I was able to go back to work after a week but took 5 weeks which is what my FMLA was written for.

I enjoyed the time off and was able to eat solid food so I didn't have to hide my liquid diet.

Pre-surgery we were told we could return to work as soon as no pain meds were required. I was allowed 4 weeks (also under FLMA)..I felt I could have returned after 2 bur the recommended I take the full 4. It was best since I was able to resume some exercise and when I came back it was for full-time each day though 1/2 days would have been permitted. Hardest part was missing that after lunch and 2:00 pm caffeine boost from coffee

I took off 1 week, I have a desk job. When I went back I wasn't in pain, but I tired very easily and was exhausted by the end of the day. I am 55, not sure how much of a factor that was in the exhaustion. If I had to do it over again I would have taken off 1 week and then worked half days for a week or two when I returned.

I am 57 Eatthatfrog. I think it is more surgery trauma than age. Because they get us up the day of the surgery a lot people forget that it is still.major. I missed being able to close my eyes whenever I wanted to. No I do 1/2 coffee in the morn