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

Return to work / recovery Time



Recommended Posts

Hi Guys

I am looking for some guidance about when I should go back to work . I was sleeved on the 4th October my surgeon said recovery was 4/6 weeks but depends on the person - so far all has been good for me I'm feeling good in myself but I'm not sure if on day 5/6 if it's too soon to know if I'll be ok to go back to work in week or how I'll feel and cope at that point - I have a desk based job so physically it's not demanding but it can be quite full on and stressful at times - I am due to staples removed from wounds 17/10 should I wait till after I see doctor ?? Any help would be appreciated thanks Cathy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, Cathy, u need to wait until u see your doctor. Also can you drink at your desk as you work? If so, great so you dont get dehydrated. But give yourself time to heal sweetie. U just had major surgery! You will have days where you will be weak and tired. Once you feel you have had more better days and feel things are a little back to normal (whatever normal is for u) then return back to work. Good luck sweetie

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I returned to my desk based job one week after surgery and I was fine. I was a bit tired the first few days, but I had no problem keeping up with a reasonable work load. Ultimately, only you can tell when it is best to return to work. If you don't feel well and you have the time to use, then take your time recuperating. If you may be short on vacation days or don't want to be out of work for very long, you may be fine being back at work in a week. Good luck in your journey! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks very much guys - yes I can drink at my desk and my work expect me to be out for the whole of October so if I get back sooner it's a bonus. I get the good and bad days I think I'm starting to see that myself - I can work from home and have logged on from home to respond to emails ect I think I will take next week off for sure and see how I feel at 2 week point as I don't want to rush back and regret it also see the impacts of reintroducing foods into my diet xx

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i was ready after 2 weeks but the minimum time required by my doc is 4 weeks. i'm finally going back monday!!!! ????????????????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my VSG on 10/1. I saw the doctor today and we agreed on: out for one more week, then one week of part time from home before returning to full time. I basically have a desk job. But I am the manager I run around a lot and have a demanding project timeline. I'm up and about now so I should be in good shape when I go back.

Edited by Laurieless

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i'm nervous, my surgery is october 23rd and i'm scheduled to go back to work on october 30th. I work for an oral surgeon and stand and walk all day but from what i'm reading the more you walk the better you feel. Im hoping i'm able to return in a timely fashion.... also, my close friends and family know everything about the procedure but my boss and co-workers do not... i gotta break it to atleast my boss soon, considering my surgery is in less than two weeks...any suggestions?

i've just had such a long list of negative responders, saying things like oh you aren't fat, just exercise, dont ya think that's a little much, etc... at this point i'm ready, and would just like to have my last few days at work peaceful and not spend it all defending my decision to be healther :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Rachel, im with you. I dont want to explain my decision to anyone at work so i'm waiting until i go back to work and people start asking questions as to why i was out so long, i put in for four weeks but i told my manager and supervisor maybe after three I'll be back. I have a very physical job so i know I'll be out at least three. My surgery is November 11 and i have off till December 10.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

U both would be surprised at how those same ppl who will give you negative feedback about your surgical decision is those same ppl who secretly wish they were having the same opportunity. Lol... Don't let anyone rain on our sun shining day! You are doing this for YOU! And that's that.....stay strong and positive. Good luck to both you ladies on your up coming surgery????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

With hipaa you do not need to specify why you are out. Even your HR does not need to know. The only person who would know is the company (usually third party) paying your disability. At my post op visit I felt I could have returned to work but my surgeon said too soon. He said take up to 6 weeks. I am going back to work in 26 days, my choice. Even my supervisor was surprised.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a teacher. I had surgery on Saturday morning, and went to work a week from Monday (9 days). I asked my surgeon ahead of time and he said ok if I felt like it and could get my liquids and Protein in. I have been fine!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I took a week off and had absolutely no problems. I was also able to do laundry, vacuum, work my horses, etc five days after. Let your body tell you what you can and can't do.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a similar recovery as Cody's mom. Traveling, shopping, laundry, Plowing my driveway, taking care of dogs and horses, etc within 5 days. Back to work at a very active job standing, squatting, bending, lifting, driving, etc at 7 days postop. I had to restrict myself to not lift more than 20 pounds for 3 weeks, but had no problems dealing with work. Just made sure I had plenty of Water and Protein Shakes since I was on full liquids for 18 days.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm only taking 7 days (Tuesday-Tuesday). If there's a chance I'll need more time, it'll be tough on my store but I'll be able to take it.

I've been extremely upfront and open with everyone regarding my decision to have this surgery, including my boss and coworkers.

I work in a small retail store and we're all very close. Everyone has been nothing but supportive, at least to my face. Lol! They've all watched me struggle the last couple of weeks with the stress of not meeting my goals and having to postpone surgery so they were all almost as happy as I was when my surgery date was confirmed this week. :-)

I know that not everyone is as much of an open book as I am but I have to say that the support of my friends, family and coworkers has been amazing and I couldn't imagine doing this without them knowing. And even if they weren't, who effing cares? I'm doing this for me and anyone else's opinion is just that... An opinion. I hope that my future success, because I WILL be successful, can encourage and inspire others who've struggled like I have.

Edited by angierue

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I came back after 10 days (light duty) for 2 weeks

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

    • 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!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.
  • 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

    ×