Help! Can I do this? Planning on taking only 7 days off work...

[alovelynewme 24]

So, I've finished all of my doctor's visits, insurance approval has been submitted (and is expected to be approved), and I've set the date of my sleeve surgery -- December 3rd! I'm ready for the surgery and really looking forward to it, but I'm nervous about one thing: I don't have much time I can take off of work. I'm a middle school teacher at a charter school so my hours every day are from 7:45-4:15pm. I'm planning on taking a total of 7 days off of work. Is that enough?? Was anyone else able to go back to work in a week? My doctor said to take at least one week, but is that enough? Is it feasible to go back to work that soon?

If it's not enough time, I'll have to wait until February of next year and I really don't want to wait that long. I'd love to hear thoughts on whether or not I should go ahead with my December 3rd surgery date...

Thank you!!!

[cdenney123 103]

I took 2 weeks off and was ok to go back the third week but I am tired and one of my incisions opened up so Im not feeling really well now and Im almost 4 weeks out. Everyone is different good luck

[Kindle 8,667]

Everyone is different, but I only took a week. Had surgery on a Friday, flew back from Mexico on Monday, drove 5 hours the rest of the way home on Tuesday, plowed the driveway when I got home, laid on the couch all day Wednesday, got a haircut, got my nails done and did some office work from home on Thursday and back to work (as a veterinary technician) on Friday. But then I had the weekend off, before going back full time. I have a very active job lifting, bending, squatting, walking, standing and driving all day and I was definitely tired but able to do my job OK. It's hard to tell how you will feel, though, because I've read some people need 4-6 weeks.

[woo woo 872]

I was able to go back after 5 days off but to a desk job. I was very tired the first couple of days back but fine by the end of the first week back.

As a teacher you will probably be tired the first week back but I think you can make it through. Prepare everything ahead of time and you should be just fine.

[UK fan 1]

I had surgery last Monday and went back to work today. I have a desk job and other than being a little tired I had no other issues. Good Luck!

[BloomingLotus 179]

Time off is a big concern for me as well. My doctor suggested one week off, and light duty if possible the next week. I don't have a very physical job, so he said one week should be enough, but warned that I may tire easily on week two.

[BloomingLotus 179]

Time off is a big concern for me as well. My doctor suggested one week off, and light duty if possible the next week. I don't have a very physical job, so he said one week should be enough, but warned that I may tire easily on week two.

[gottagonow 82]

Everyone is different. I took off three days and was able to work one day from home after that. Then it was the weekend. I was ready to return the following week, no problem at all.

I get more stressed when work gets backed up and I have 1000 emails. It worked fine for me.

Edited November 4, 2014 by storytotell

[Miss Mac 6,261]

You'll be tired, so just make sure you get plenty of sleep at home. You will do much better than if you were a lumberjack, so just don't be lifting any stacks of books. Then when you have the Christmas and New Year's holidays you can rest some more. That means let someone else do the hoiday prep around your house. This is your year to take it easy for a couple of weeks,

[Sassy Little Redhead 66]

I am an RN, I was sleeved with hiatal hernia repair on 10/22 and went back to 12 hour shifts on 10/31. I was tired but ok. I would recommend an abdominal binder if you are more active in your job. I don't know if I could have done it without it. I have only worn it while at work, haven't needed it otherwise. Good luck to you.

[Mrs. Reid 392]

I think it depends on how well you take care of yourself during your time off.

[Forsythia 882]

I only took a week. I could have gone back after 5 days, but since I hated my job I took two extra days off. Lol. I will say I had a really easy, pain free recovery.

[dsdunne 7]

My sister had the sleeve done a year ago and was off less than a week (5 days?). I had mine done a week ago and I plan on returning to work tomorrow. Our different jobs are more or less office jobs, not lifting stuff or chasing kids all day. I am planning on returning to work tomorrow but leaving myself the option to work just 1/2 day. I also have some additional days I can take off if I think I need them.

I have been off the narcotic pain killer for 48 hrs and am only taking Tylenol tonight while sleeping. Today I didn't take a nap and I made a test run to the grocery store. I wouldn't try going to work tomorrow if I couldn't do these things.

I have not coughed or sneezed yet. I know from previous abdominal surgeries, hold your muscles tightly (pillow, hands or carefully brace against something). If I sneeze uncontrolled, I'll be back on pain meds in a heartbeat.

[tazpur74 2]

I got sleeved on a late Wednesday back to work that Monday. Just tired but no pain.

[alovelynewme 24]

Thank you so much for all of your responses! I'm feeling a lot better about only being able to take a week off of work. I'll have an additional 3 days to take later if I need to, I just didn't want to use up every single one of my sick days if I didn't absolutely have to.

So glad to hear that so many people had a quick and relatively easy recovery!