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

How long until you went back to work?



Recommended Posts

I had open gastric bypass and was out of work for 3 full weeks. I think they do that because they assume you're on pain meds. I didn't need any after I left the hospital but you do need to rest up. If you're not on pain meds you could probably work after 2 weeks. Just remember to get up a lot and keep moving.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Can you apply for short term disability? That is what I did and enjoyed 2 1/2 weeks off

I can work from home and stayed here through mid august from June 24.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got flash w/short term disability from work for 7 wks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got all my short term benefits

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow! I had lap band on Thursday morning and went back to work on Sunday night. I'm a labor and delivery nurse and went back to work full duty. Other than the gas pain and being tired ( whos not tired working night shift? Lol! ) I was fine. I probably could have takes a few more days but I didn't tell anyone, not even my boss. Everyone else was doing some kind of diet so no one really noticed I was on liquids and mushiness. Ha!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am taking 1 month. I am a nurse in a very very busy office. So my doc said 30 days. I am going in on wed just because my energy level has fallen.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I took 6 weeks because I could! I have short term disability so I got 3/4 of my regular pay.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you are able to work from home, you can go back as soon as you feel comfortable. You may not be able to sit for long periods of time due to the strain on your stomach, but you could definitely work from a laptop laying down. That choice is yours. I took the full six weeks my doctor allowed, but I work a job where I am on my feet and walking 10 to 12 miles a night. Because of the active nature of my job I took the whole time off. What I did not realize is that I probably could have handled going back to work after about two or three weeks. The pain was gone and I was no longer on any pain meds.

I had many people tell me post surgery to take the full six weeks as apposed to part of it. Their reasoning is that the diet is so very different and requires so much adjusting that, in all honesty, it took me the full six weeks to begin being able to make it a routine. Since you are working from home and have a little more control over this you should be fine going back as soon as you feel comfortable. I would at least reccomend taking a week to ten days after you get home from surgery to get used to everything before charging back. Half days would also be a good option for a little bit.

I wish you the best of luck in your surgery. It will be the journey of a lifetime. You will discover amazing things about yourself that you never thought you could do. I am excited for you! If you have any questions or I can help you in any way feel free to contact me at any of the links below. I will do what I can to help out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I see where people are using short term disability. I have that through my work but why take that if I have sick leave available? Am I missing something?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have short term disability, too, and I also have some sick leave but I am pretty sure it isn't going to be enough to cover the time off I need. My surgery date is tentatively scheduled for December 4 and once the insurance company gives the okay I guess I should contact my HR department and find out how that all works. I would really like to be over the worst of the fatigue post surgery before I try to work again, but at least I don't have to go anywhere if I am unable to take sufficient time off. Thank you, everyone, for all of your experiences and your thoughts on this topic!! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a hospital employee with a fast paced job. I took 2 weeks exactly and they were my vacation days. Sometimes it's just mind over matter. I'm now 6 weeks out and going strong.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I paid for my short term disability so I used it! Why not?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was back to work (teleworking) on day 8, I physically went back to my office on day 13. I felt great and was getting bored at home. So it worked for me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I see where people are using short term disability. I have that through my work but why take that if I have sick leave available? Am I missing something?

I can't speak for others but medical leaves equals free paid time from my company.

My company doesn't have "sick" days only personal days. Yearly I have 23 days. So if I were to use my personal time it would not be enough. Short term disability (I don't pay extra or anything), I can take up to a total of like 12 weeks off all paid at 100% and the only requirement (besides qualifying medically) is to use five days of my personal time

So for me using disability means saving my real personal days for vacation next year and still getting my full paycheck.

I'm only using 5-6 weeks of disability and if I feel better sooner I'll return to work. I'm a workaholic lol

Edited by bluedreams86

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello everyone~

I am facing a very frustrating situation. I had timed my surgery for around the time I would not longer be employed. Or so I thought... What should have been a done deal unraveled and now we have no idea when our department will be reorganized. I am a medical transcriptionist and I work from home, so it isn't like I have to do a lot to get to work, lol. I have used up all my sick time getting ready for surgery so any time off I take will be unpaid, which can only go on for so long. Ugh, I am kinda freaking out now.

I don't actually have my surgery date yet. I guess I am just freaking out about still being employed when I do have it. How weird is that??

So, anyway, how long were you off before you went back to work? Did you start slowly (like half days at first) or did you wait until you could put in a full day? How long until you were not completely worn out after a day of work?

u need at less two weeks sitting in one position to long hurts like driving it kills me

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

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

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

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • 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. 💜

  • 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

    ×