I originally started the process to have WLS in January. Due to information one of my doctors wrote in a letter, I have had to switch hospitals and doctors and start all over again.

Anyway, I'm on a bit of a time crunch to have the surgery due to the fact that I am starting Student Teaching in mid-August. I am now currently waiting to have a cardiology appointment for clearance and that will be the last hurdle I have. I see that doctor on June 30. Anyway, I am wanting to have my surgery before I start my student teaching.

If I have the surgery about the first of August, do you think that I will have enough time to recover to be able to start teaching mid-August? The first couple of weeks, I am going to be doing more sitting than standing so sitting isn't going to be an issue.

Just wanting to get other people's opinions.

Elizabeth

I'm 2 weeks out. I had planned to go back to work after a week (work from home some and in the office some) but I had a little setback and ended up in the hospital again with pneumonia. That really wiped out any energy I had. Last week I had to take a long nap in the middle of the day and would frequently fall asleep watching TV or when trying to work. So I ended up taking some additional days off.

I was back in the office yesterday and today (2 weeks from surgery) and feel better, but I'm still taking about 30 minutes in the middle of the day to go take a quick nap on the couch in the nursing mothers' room.

You might be OK with going back to work so soon, but you also want to have a backup plan in case you can't. Just in case you hit any little bump in the road or need a few extra days. Better to be prepared for it than to stress if you just can't make it back that fast.

I went back to work at week 5. I think you will be pushing yourself a little. This is major surgery and you need to let your body heal. Are you young? That might work to your advantage. Talk to you doctor and the staff. If for some reason the laproscopy can't be done and you are cut open then it would be a definate no.

I took two weeks off and planned half days for my first week back. I could have easily gone back after one week. I had no complications and a very easy recovery. I am an administrative assistant to the Curriculum Director in a public school district. The position is quite sedentary. I had my surgery laproscopicly. If you have an open procedure, you will definitely need more time to recover.

I could have gone back to work after day 4. Every person handles surgery differently.. I think it has a lot to do with your health and size pre surgery. I had a low bmi 35 and had no other weight issues. From what I can tell the bigger you are the harder it can be.. I didn't have to have drains but I know some who do. I would talk to your doctor. If you have drains I'm thinking you would need a little longer recovery. Good luck and congrats on the job!