Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hi,

I apologize if this question has been covered before but I wasn't able to find any answers with a quick forum search.

Was curious to know how long some of you banders were off work and how long your Dr wanted you off work??

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, my doctor suggests a week off, but I had my surgery on a Thursday, and was back to work the next Monday. I was still pretty sore, but I did not have a choice. I was okay as long as I was sitting, but getting up and down from my desk was what bothered me. But I think it helped in the long run--I think being as active as possible as soon as possible helps--especially with the gas pains!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the luxury of having lots of sick time and took a full two weeks off. I probably could have gone back at between 7-10 days, but I don't know how some of these women are able to go back in a few days. They are stronger women than I am, to be sure!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had 2 weeks. I could have gone back on about day 9 or 10 I think, but I had already taken 2 weeks off work.

I think it will also depend on what kind of work you do as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery on a Tuesday and was back to work the following Monday. So I took 5 complete days to heal. I think that is about right.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Surgery was on a Wednesday. Off that Thur & Fri. Took a road trip to visit fa,ily out of town Saturday. I telecommuted the next Mon & Tue because my slacks all hit right on one of the staple rows and I didn't want the area to get irritated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doc says that he does a lot of his surgeries on Thursday and people going back to a desk job often go back to work the following monday. Two weeks if you have a labor intensive job, as he says absolutely no lifting more than 20 lbs for 2 weeks. He said if he were to have it done he'd take a week.

I'm hoping to be one of those Thursday-Monday people...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My 2 cents...

If possible, I would give your body the maximum time to recover slowly. Regardless if the surgery is severe or not, our bodies have undergone a shock & our bodies need intense TLC. Everybody is different but I would take as much time as possible. Give yourself the time, you deserve it! And if you feel better before you're due back at work, all the better! Just extra time to pamper. Who doesn't like the idea of that? :(

Personally, I couldn't be one of those Thursday-Monday people. I have a full 2 weeks to recover & I am so grateful! I didn't start feeling "normal" until at least 1 week post-op. Until then, I really didn't want to bother with blow drying my hair (bending hurt), buttoning my pants on my incisions, underwire bras, etc. I got tired very easily, after doing simple things like showering & getting dressed! I felt like I had been hit by a truck so I'm glad I had already taken the 2 weeks off. At first I thought it might be too much time, but actually not at all!

Best wishes for everybody's recovery!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Some of these comments have me nervous. I'll be going to Tijuana by myself, which means I'll be carrying luggage (not much) through the airport and driving myself back home - about 1.5 hours. Not to mention sitting on the plane for 4+ hours in tight pants :P

I haven't worn sweats out in public in years (ever?). Should I plan on doing so for the trip back?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery last Friday and went back to work today. I only worked a few hours because my son had a basketball game, but I could have worked about 6 hours. I work at a desk though. If I had to be on my feet I couldn't have done more than a few hours.

I would plan on wearing sweats, I seemed to be bloated the first few days, I think its the gas they fill you with.

Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think this is such a personal issue. So many things dependant upon returning to work such as commute time, type of work, flexibility with dress code, and overall Doctors 'say so'. I'm going to take 2 weeks; as disability is covering it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OK, sweats it is. I hope I don't run into anyone I know. My luck it will be 10 or so old boyfriends back when I was half this weight, lol.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery in Mexico on the West Coast on a Friday at 6pm. I flew back all day on Sunday to the East Coast. I showed up on Monday to work in a health care profession wearing professional clothing in a physical job from 8am - 6pm. You do what you have to do....

Good Luck. It is all very exciting!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        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.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×