Just wondering the length of time spent out of work. I am a teacher and went back after 2 weeks without doctor's approval. I made it 3 days and was completely exhausted. I went back again this week and I did ok yesterday, but today I felt awful. I was exhausted and lightheaded and had to leave early. When I met with my surgeon yesterday he said most patients stay out 3-4 weeks. He gave me permission to go back, but after today I am not sure I am ready. Wondering if this is normal?

Yesterday was my first day back after 3 weeks. I do hair and only worked a 4 hour shift and I was wiped out.

I went back after two weeks to a desk job, so not nearly as active as your typical teacher. For the first three days I could only make it a little more than halfway through the day, then was too exhausted and went home. Then we had a four day weekend, which was nice! So when I went back the next week, I was 3 weeks post op. At that point I could make it through the day but was still pretty wiped out at the end of the day.

I went back after 3 weeks and was sore and exhausted every day. I am 4 weeks now and this week is much better. I wish I had stayed out 4 whole weeks.

Hmmmm I have an office Job, but everyone counts on me...I am wonder woman to them...but I have exactly 9 days off from day of surgery...I sure hope I can do it.....Of course my desk will be piled high...people can't seem to do anything when I am not here.

I'm a nurse in big level three NICU. My surgeon always asks for the full 6 weeks in your FMLA papers, but if you are feeling up to it and want to you can go back after 3 weeks. HelI I tacked on another week of vacation time and was off work for almost 9 weeks because of how my 12 hour shifts landed. It was nice I haven't been off work that long since maternity leave, which was almost 13 years ago. I felt great right after surgery except for the first day so I took the time to get a routine down and by the time I went back to work I was eating solids again. My job is strenuous and I work for a company that you accrue sick time and I was maxed and needed to use it... so I say if you have those options take it and use the time to focus on yourself.

Edited November 18, 201411 yr by vanessak8

My surgery was Oct. 27th and I'm approved for FMLA until the end of January! I have a very physical job and I have severe osteoarthritis. My knees are in terrible shape which is the major reason I submitted to having a VSG, after enduring arthroscopic surgery to repair a double meniscus tear.

Thankfully between my Sick Leave Acct and State Disability I can afford to take time off to heal rather than worry about the "job". I spent decades worrying about everyone and everything else and not enough about me. Those days are SO over for me....

I'm only taking a week, but that means I go back to work on Thursday. I didn't go the FMLA route, I just took a week of PTO. I have a full day on Thursday and then a 1/2 day on Friday, due to my post-op appointments being Friday afternoon. Thankfully next week is only a 3 day week.... I'm hoping I can just power through. I work a desk job, so hopefully that will help. My boss is the only one who knows I had surgery and he doesn't know what kind of surgery I had.

I have surgery scheduled for January 19th..im taking a little more than 6 weeks off. I am a communications operator at a hospital so my job is mainly sedentary. Im taking the extra time to heal and getting to know my new body. Good luck to everyone

I'm a Weigh Master at a large cattle company, and I was READY to go back!! I have a Wednesday-Saturday job, so it seemed like I was away from work for 2 weeks, but it was actually 6 days. I didn't have any issues. My boss asked me everyday how I was feeling and if I was ok; mainly because two former co-workers had weight loss surgery too, so he knew what to expect. I guess one of them still had discomfort when she went back, but it's been the opposite for me. It's been pretty busy, with a steadiness of trucks showing up, but I've done fairly well.

I aman xray tech...in total taking 3 weeks. hopefully it is enough!

I'm a Weigh Master at a large cattle company, and I was READY to go back!! I have a Wednesday-Saturday job, so it seemed like I was away from work for 2 weeks, but it was actually 6 days. I didn't have any issues. My boss asked me everyday how I was feeling and if I was ok; mainly because two former co-workers had weight loss surgery too, so he knew what to expect. I guess one of them still had discomfort when she went back, but it's been the opposite for me. It's been pretty busy, with a steadiness of trucks showing up, but I've done fairly well.

That's the job for me...I'd much rather deal with cattle than people...

ER nurse and went back at 6 weeks

Today was my first day back to work...I'm actually at work right now. LOL My surgery was two weeks ago yesterday. I didn't get an official notice from my surgeon to go back. But, I had to go back to work. I have bills to pay. lol I get off in about an hour and a half and I'm feeling great. However, my job is extremely sedentary. I sit at a desk most of my shift and I am on the computer. A job as a teacher is much more active than mine. So, I can only imagine how you feel. My surgeon told me that most people go back three to four weeks after surgery. I personally couldn't afford to be away from work that long.

Today was my first day back to work...I'm actually at work right now. LOL My surgery was two weeks ago yesterday. I didn't get an official notice from my surgeon to go back. But, I had to go back to work. I have bills to pay. lol I get off in about an hour and a half and I'm feeling great. However, my job is extremely sedentary. I sit at a desk most of my shift and I am on the computer. A job as a teacher is much more active than mine. So, I can only imagine how you feel. My surgeon told me that most people go back three to four weeks after surgery. I personally couldn't afford to be away from work that long.

same here on the type of work and the bills

Bills, Bills, Bills...come every month like clockwork....wonder if we can tell them.."look, I just had surgery...and my doctor won't let me back to work yet...so your just gonna have to give me freebies this month"

Like THAT will ever happen...and if you do take off...bills get behind..and ya NEVER get caught up..I hate that feeling.

So, only recourse is...I will go back after 9 days and when asked to do something....learn the word "I'm super busy, can you ask someone else.....wait...no one smart enough in my office to handle it....geeesh!! Losing battle here!!