This is my first post. Hello everyone and hope your all having a great day. My vertical sleeve surgery date is June 3. I am wondering how much time I should plan on being away from work. I am 58 years old and work in an office - sit most of the time. I need to provide my employer with my planned off time. Any information would be appreciated.

I took 2 weeks. I could have gone back by 1 week, but would have been pretty exhausted. I do office work sitting all day also, so it's not difficult, but you are still in some pain which is draining.

It depends on your pain tolerance and medication tolerance. I was given hydrocodone syrup for pain and it would make me very sleepy. So if I had gone back at one week post op, I would have not been very productive!

I took two because that's all I was getting paid for with leave. I had STD benefits, but I didn't anticipate needing much MORE time than that and going through those hoops for maybe an extra week at much less pay just didn't seem worth it to me.

Thank you so much for the information. I was thinking 2 weeks also but was concerned because of my age (58), I wouldn't spring back as quick as some of you youngins

Two weeks is the standard amount. I went back at 15 days post-op and my main issue was fatigue. If you have a desk job, there shouldn't be any real physical limitations or pain at that point. But you will likely still be on a liquid diet (I was on full liquids until day 18) and not getting enough calories. So you will be very very tired. Just the process of showering and getting ready for work in the morning was pretty tiring for me. By the end of the day, I was ready to go home and nap. So just be prepared for that. I had more energy and felt better once I was able to move onto more solid foods and get more calories in.

Hi There,

I went back to work 3 days after surgery took a total of 5 days off... I'm grateful that my surgery fell on a Thursday and was discharged on that Friday. The only day I felt extremely exhausted was the day of and after surgery by Saturday was feeling okay. I have a desk job and I work at home with a pretty flexible schedule. I was able to take my hour lunch break and use that for sleeping (recharging) and walked during my two 15 minute breaks. I do wish I would have taken real time off say through disability but used my vacation time instead.. I didn't want my employer knowing about my personal health info.. It's really dependent on your pain tolerance .. I think I have a pretty high one ... If you have been overweight for as long as I have been then you adapt to the pain and don't really realize that it's there. Get plenty of rest I'm still taking naps and I go to bed early working out seems to wipe me out.

2-4 weeks would probably be recommended, depending on how you do with pain and meds. Some people have a hard time with nausea.

I'm workaholic and plan on staying home for 2 weeks but will be working from home. I have coworkers/friends who took as little as a week, as much as a month. Take as much time as you are given (paid) and if you need more time you are legally allowed it per the medical leave act. Speak to your HR department ASAP.

Your doctor should tell you. Mine said 4weeks. I'm almost two weeks out, and I spose I could be back at work, but I tire easily. I have STD, though. 7 days of sick time, hen the STD kicks in. I'm 55 years old.

Edited May 13, 201511 yr by Hetera

I didn't want to broadcast my surgery. I had it on Wednesday the 6th and I am returning to work on Monday the 18th. kind of a desk job, but a lot of walking and steps, which should get easier to climb!

My surgery is June 4th. My doctor told me to expect possibly 4 weeks but I could let them know if I want to go back sooner. The nurse told me that possibly to consider 4 weeks b/c I will still be on a blood thinner and have my follow up appointments until then. If you have STD, then consider taking the 4 weeks. It's there for a reason. When will you ever get this opportunity to take the time off to do something like this for yourself to make you healthy? That's how I look at it. I'm lucky enough that if I do decide I want to come back early, my job will let me work from home. Good luck and I hope you make the best decision for you.

Has anyone gone back to,a desk job after 1o days?

My surgery was May 13th. I'm going back after the Memorial Day holiday which is May 26th

My surgery is June 2. I plan take off at least through the weekend (June 8), but will play it by ear thereafter. If I feel up to it, I'll go back to work/office on June 8. If not, I can stay home the week of June 8, but will keep my lap top with me. (I can do many aspects of my job from home).

I took a month off from work cause after the operation you will be tired and your mind does not focus well. I started to drive a week after my gastric sleeve. I took fmla off from my job which was signed by my doctor and use my sick days . I have heard people use disability also. Good luck with everything stay blessed.

I'm a June 3rd sleeve too! My surgeon said to plan on 3 weeks, which is what I told my job. He said some people need more, but 3 weeks is average.