Hi everyone, I'm just curious how long it took for you to go back to work? I'm a pharmaceutical sales rep & drive up to 6 hours a day, & do some standing & walking & lift about 20-30lbs. Mostly I need to be comfortable driving and have mental energy. I'm hoping to take a week off and avoid medical leave (though I can take 6 months with full pay). Are my expectations within reason or should I get my head around possibly needing more time to recover? Assuming no complications, of course. Thanks!

I drive a lot, too. (Actually drove myself home from airport 4 days postop and was back to work after 7). Pending complications, I think you could probably do it except for the lifting. I wasn't allowed to lift more than 20 pounds for 3 weeks.

I was driving on day 6 or 7. I was feeling pretty weak for the 1st 10 days or so. But I was back at work on day 10. I wore the elastic stomach binder every day and never had any pain problems driving.

The drive back from the hospital after surgery was a different story. Even with the binder, I felt every bump, jiggle, and curve in the road.

I telecommute - I had my surgery on a Thursday and was back to work for 1/2 days the following Monday. I worked all day on that Tuesday. I got tired easily - working 1/2 days allowed me to take time for me and walk. I flew home from Las Vegas where I had my procedure - that was 7 days post-op. We flew all day and it didn't bother me, but again, I got tired easily.

After about a week, I was OK to drive and ride in a car - prior to that, bumps really bothered me and I rode with a stuffed animal lightly pressed to my midsection. I would say, I would probably be OK to drive 4 hours a week out.

Best of luck to you!

I had my surgery on a Friday was back to work on Tuesday. I have a desk job but I walked a lot.. I felt better the more I walked. I also drove to work. I didn't take any pain killers because they made me throw up so I was on Tylenol only since the day after surgery.

Edited May 13, 201412 yr by Avryv

This is all really informative & helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, everyone!

Well I took a week off had my surgery on Tuesday and going back to work on Tuesday as on Monday we have a Written assignment/exam. Kinda avoiding it. Lol

I had surgery on Monday May 12 and have taken the week off from work. I'm hoping I'm up to being back on Monday. But it's Friday and I'm still sore and tired.

But getting better every day.

I thought I'd be okay with one week off however ended up taking two, just very tired and sore the first week and I think the second is good to take so you can adjust and recover to the drastic change in energy intake

I took a week off. If I was doing any lifting at my job or more walking or sitting I prob would have taken longer. I am up and down a bunch at work and it helped me get more active. I'm 2.5 weeks out now and I feel great. No pain, I'm still not lifting but I Can walk so much further than I could last week. It's the adjustment of eating slowly and not being able to get enough water. I work in a operating room so I can't drink. I have spent the last week in the GI lab so I could drink more frequently.

Hi everyone, I'm just curious how long it took for you to go back to work? I'm a pharmaceutical sales rep & drive up to 6 hours a day, & do some standing & walking & lift about 20-30lbs. Mostly I need to be comfortable driving and have mental energy. I'm hoping to take a week off and avoid medical leave (though I can take 6 months with full pay). Are my expectations within reason or should I get my head around possibly needing more time to recover? Assuming no complications, of course. Thanks!

Hi. Im a home health nurse who drives as much as u do. I had to take off six weeks due to the lifting restriction. I felt great but my work would not let me come back. Take your time if u can. It's an adjustment. Good luck!'

I thought I'd be okay with one week off however ended up taking two, just very tired and sore the first week and I think the second is good to take so you can adjust and recover to the drastic change in energy intake

I wish I could take a second week but that may just make the eventual return more stressful.

I think my fibromyalgia has not enjoyed the surgery and severe Protein and movement changes. But doing better today than yesterday (my toughest day since surgery).

I took a week off. If I was doing any lifting at my job or more walking or sitting I prob would have taken longer. I am up and down a bunch at work and it helped me get more active. I'm 2.5 weeks out now and I feel great. No pain, I'm still not lifting but I Can walk so much further than I could last week. It's the adjustment of eating slowly and not being able to get enough water. I work in a operating room so I can't drink. I have spent the last week in the GI lab so I could drink more frequently.

Oh wow. That would be tough. Fortunately I'm a data analyst so I sit all day. Most worried (like the op) about driving the 20 min commute.

No lifting for 6 weeks is what my doctor said, nothing over 10 lbs for two weeks and 20 for the four after that. I'm on day 8 and tired. I am asking my Dr tomorrow for another week off to adjust.

I'm taking 6 weeks off. I am a nursing assistant at a pediatric home health agency. I work with a special needs 6year old who can't really walk so there is a lot of lifting involved. My dr says I can't lift anything over 30lbs for 6-8 weeks. I was really hoping I could go back to work after about a month off but I think in order to use this surgery to its full potential I need to follow drs orders and take all the time off I can. I'm so bumbled about it though cause I love my job and don't want to be gone for that long!!!!!

My doc refuses to give anyone more than 1 week off work so I'm taking vacation leave!