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Returning to work 1 week after surgery?



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I am a teacher and I went back to work exactly one week post op. I was a little weak the first two days but I did it. I am now almost two weeks post op and I feel almost 100%. There's not much heavy lifting here though.

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You will be under lifting restriction for 6 weeks, typically - no more than 15 lbs.

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I know with my job the lifting restriction is the real problem. I am planning to take 4 weeks but would like to go back after 2 if possible. It is easier for me though bc I am a lowly prn employee :)

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I am off for 6 weeks using my short-term disability benefit. On top of being exhausted a lot, it would be IMPOSSIBLE to get my Fluid and Protein in (especially when you start adding in more dense foods as well with the need to have the 30 minutes before and after with no fluid) and work at this stage.

Everybody's situation is different, but I would advise people to take as much time as your work situation and finances will allow...

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Eek! 1 week would've been bad (I'm only talking my experience). I did 2 weeks off, a week of half days, and sometimes still leave around 3-4 as opposed to 5. I have a desk job. The only thing remotely physical is the building is a mile long. It was wayyyy too much for me.

If you can I really suggest 2 weeks at least. My Dr. Wrote me for 6 and I wish I would've taken all of it!

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Thanks everybody!!

MsShortyDee

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hi all

I work as a nursing assistant. I was wondering if i should take more than 3 weeks off. Just like the nurse above. my job is psychical.

I'm a nurse's assistant and I haven't had the surgery but when I do I'm going to take my 4 to 6 weeks because having to pull some of them patients up here lately has killing my back so if I was you I would take as many weeks as they give you..good luck

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Hi all,

Is it realistic to return to work 1 week after surgery??? I'm a nurse, so my Job is very demanding physically at times & I'm on my feet all day.. Advice please?

I'm a nurse as well. I ended up taking 4 weeks off from work. I too, thought I would return in 1 week but my body showed me otherwise. Good luck with everything.

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I went to work the day I got out of the hospital which was Friday after surgery Monday.

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I am a licensed veterinary technician who works emergency. I had lap band 6 years ago. Isn't back to work one week post op. I was still a little sore but had no issues. I just avoided lifting any patients larger than 25lbs. I did not tell anyone I had WLS. I did fudge and tell people I had a hiatal hernia repair (which was true). I worked the morning shift which was a bit easier on me.

I am hopefully converting to the sleeve soon. I now work the swing shift which is a lot busier. I'm thinking of taking 10 days off. I really can't afford to take too much time, I do have more vacation time I could use, but I'd rather save it. I'm not sure what I'm going to say this time in order not to lift. I may just say I hurt my back (unfortunately in my field lots of people have bad backs).

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My surgeon signed me off for 4 weeks I'm returning to work just before 3 weeks. If it's to much I will work from home.

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Hi all,

Is it realistic to return to work 1 week after surgery??? I'm a nurse, so my Job is very demanding physically at times & I'm on my feet all day.. Advice please?

I'm a nurse as well. I tried to go back after a week and it was not long enough. I was weak, sick, and miserable. I couldn't think straight and I absolutely could not keep up. I don't recommend it. Take that extra week for you, your health, and your patients.

HW 427 SW 358

sleeved 10/12/16

I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.

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Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your advice

MsShortyDee

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I'm an ER Nurse and went back to work after one week. If I needed help with lifting I just asked for it and said I had an injury... i only had lifting restrictions for two weeks so it wasn't much of a big deal. I didn't have issues with getting my water/protein...I had a plan and stuck with it... I personally felt great after surgery so I am glad I went back to work and didn't use up much sick time.

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I returned to work after 1 week. I am an IT guy and sit all day. It was fine. I had no issues. I get sharp pain to the left of the belly button sometimes but other than that it's good.

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    • 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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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