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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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...

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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!

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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