A lot of members have been posting about how much time they will need to recover and /or take off work.

I think a thread on this is a good idea. Share your experience on how much time you needed to take off work, how long you were in the hospital, how long until you felt healed.

I myself want to say this : this is MAJOR surgery.

Depending on your state of health and age to begin with, everyone's experience is different. So if someone says hey, I was ice skating two days later!! Well, maybe she was. But maybe she was 25, in good shape, and a low BMI without major health conditions.

So what applies to her may not apply to you.

This surgery for me was very intense. I spent three days in the hospital due to gas pain and regurgitating blood foam etc. your stomach and intestines are rerouted and your body can be quite shocked by this. I went home on the fourth day and felt okay, but I needed painkillers for several days because my stomach hurt quite a bit.

Now, a week later, I could probably return to a desk job but I am still very tired. Lack of food, lack of Water, mental emotional feelings. All this takes time to process.

I feel taking a week is a minimum requirement, two weeks very good, three ideal with any complications.

I have five incisions in my belly and bruising all over my legs and arms from needle sticks. Here are some photos for you too see.

The incisions were not nearly that painful, not anywhere close to a c-section. But the gas pain was much much more painful than a c-section.

This is major life changing surgery and afterwards basically a fasting diet for a week or so. It is not a trip to get a cavity filled. It's a non reversal body altering major surgical procedure.

Hope this helps!

Bellabloom,

I loved your post. I was really beginning to think I had the only long time healing process. My surgery was last December. I was in the hospital for four or five days. Couldn't drink anything. Couldn't go to the bathroom at all. Very emotional, sorry I went through with it. The gas pain was horrible, but I didn't want to walk. After I got home I was unable to function on my own for a month or two. Sleeping all the time. Low protein levels. Had to see the dietician 4 times in six weeks because they were concerned.

But all that has passed and I don't regret anything. I am now happy and have lost a lot of weight. I appreciate your honesty.

But I thought we were supposed to support each other here. So I don't understand any name calling. Just saying.....

Anyway, happy holidays to everyone here. Thanks bellabloom

I'm 13 days post op, still don't feel well enough to return to work stomach pain wise. I can keep down fluids and protein shake. But the pain still hurts so bad to get up and down and to stand long. I keep my hand clenched on that area. Hoping to return in a week.

I just turned 41 a few days ago and I am 5 weeks post op. I returned to work (desk job) after 1 week. Grateful I have not had any complications or food intolerances, just frustrated with the slow weight loss.

Wow, there are so many people who are doing terrific on here. Congrats!

I turned 51 two weeks after my surgery. I just met the BMI to be approved by my insurance for the surgery. I had my surgery a little over a month ago. I went back to work at 3 weeks, but I work from home, so that makes it easier. I get out and walk every day, but I'm not doing as much as some people on here. I have to really push myself. Yesterday I walked a mile.

I was only in the hospital 1 night. The first 3 days I would have been happy to die, but after that the pain went away and it was much better. I am still always tired, and I hate having such low energy. This is my big complaint. Some days are good and some I can barely get off the couch.

I'm 37 and am almost 2 weeks post-op. I have one more checkup tomorrow and should be going back to work on Tuesday which would be exactly 2 weeks. I feel pretty good, just tired. I have a feeling that I'll also be teaching from my desk for a bit (hey @@wcdaniels, fellow high school teacher here!).