Hi Sleevers,

The doctor is submitting my information to the insurance company for approval. I have BCBS of TX. Does anyone have an idea how long they take to make a decision? I am hoping to have the surgery mid-October.

After the surgery, I would like to return to work in one week. I have a desk job and don't see why that wouldn't be okay. Does anyone have experience with returning to work after one week post surgery?

Thanks

I was still too tired, in too much pain, and spending most of my waking energy on sipping enough to get in my daily liquids and protein at one week out. I also have a desk job. I went back at two weeks, for a couple of half days. I tried to make it all the way through the entire day but I was just too exhausted. After that I was able to get through a full day. So, I could not have gone back at one week out. That said, I know there are people who do. If you drive to and from work, remember that you will have to be off narcotic painkillers for 24 hours before driving.

@ Sdsdownes, I had my surgery on Wednesday July 29th and went back to work the following Monday and I'm a nurse. It will be a month tomorrow, I'm down about 30 lbs and have no side effects.

I was off work for 2 weeks because I have good insurance. I also work an hour from home so if I start to crash and burn at work I have a long drive home. So with 2 hours of driving, 8 hour day plus 1 hour lunch I am gone 11 hours a day.

That said if my job was closer to home I could have gone back after a week. I had surgery on Monday and was in the hospital until Wedsday around lunch. I took my last narcotic Weds night to make sure I had a good night's sleep and after that didn't even need Tylenol.

I had plenty of energy. I was actually getting bored by the end of the second week. I was limited in how much weight I could lift as I also had hernia surgery. I was a bit limited in what I could do for chores around the house. I don't watch movies or TV and it was February and cold out. I am used to being active and going to the barn to see my horse. Being idle isn't my thing.

On the flip side I had a co-worker who banded and was off three weeks. She found keeping track of what she could eat and when to eat overwhelming at first and said she was glad she did not have to come back to work sooner.

Everybody recovers differently.

Thank you for your responses. I will have to wait and see. I won't push myself. I too have an hour drive to and from work. I didn't even factor that information in. I only have one week vacation saved up. I could save more, but that would put me into December for the surgery. I am ready NOW....lol

I went back after one week (also a desk job). Frankly, I was ready to go back on Monday after my Thursday sleeve, but was trying to see if the hunger would subside a little bit for optimal concentration. It did, and has been steadily improving since.

I went back after one week, but I was very tired at the end of the day that whole week. I would come home, drink my Protein, and basically be done for the rest of the day. Hubby had to walk the dog and do all the laundry, mowing, etc.

I'll be honest, my biggest motivator is that I don't get any paid leave because I piece together two part-time jobs. If I earned any sort of sick or vacation or personal days at all, I probably would have taken another 2-3 days at least.

i work in a tiny office that can do with out me so i plan to be out at minimum a week if not two

I had my surgery last Monday and went back to work this Monday with no issues. Everyone is different though. I honestly think that getting up and out of the house has done me good in my recovery. I have not had any pain or fatigue.

I went back after 4 weeks and was exhausted every night

Everyone is different so just do what is right for you ????

I'm taking two weeks off from work. I'll be sick of being at home after a while, but I also just need the break from work. My job gives me 20 days of paid vacation a year, and all bankers holidays, so I feel very fortunate for that. But I work with needy, pain in the butt attorneys, so I need a nice long break from them!!! Hopefully they will appreciate me more when I do come back, lol. The interesting part will be going through the holidays with my new sleeve. My office has TONS of treats from Thanksgiving all the way through Christmas. I'm praying that none of it smells or looks good to me. That will be a test of all tests!

Hi Sleevers,

The doctor is submitting my information to the insurance company for approval. I have BCBS of TX. Does anyone have an idea how long they take to make a decision? I am hoping to have the surgery mid-October.

After the surgery, I would like to return to work in one week. I have a desk job and don't see why that wouldn't be okay. Does anyone have experience with returning to work after one week post surgery?

Thanks

Mine said standard is 14 days. I got a response in 10.

@@sdsdownes I returned to work after only 1 week and was completely fine and I am 66years old.I have a desk job and felt completely ready to return.I know others have had problems and did not feel ready but I absolutely sailed through the whole thing.Pippinleicester.

I was still too tired, in too much pain, and spending most of my waking energy on sipping enough to get in my daily liquids and protein at one week out. I also have a desk job. I went back at two weeks, for a couple of half days. I tried to make it all the way through the entire day but I was just too exhausted. After that I was able to get through a full day. So, I could not have gone back at one week out. That said, I know there are people who do. If you drive to and from work, remember that you will have to be off narcotic painkillers for 24 hours before driving.

I'm so glad I read this. I had my surgery 4 days ago, and although I'm improving, I'm still having a lot of pain. Seems like the people I know who had it, didn't have much pain at all, so I was starting to wonder if there was something wrong. I'm not showing any of the warning signs my doc told me to watch out for, but it hurts. I came here to see if I was the only one.

I was still too tired, in too much pain, and spending most of my waking energy on sipping enough to get in my daily liquids and Protein at one week out. I also have a desk job. I went back at two weeks, for a couple of half days. I tried to make it all the way through the entire day but I was just too exhausted. After that I was able to get through a full day. So, I could not have gone back at one week out. That said, I know there are people who do. If you drive to and from work, remember that you will have to be off narcotic painkillers for 24 hours before driving.

I'm so glad I read this. I had my surgery 4 days ago, and although I'm improving, I'm still having a lot of pain. Seems like the people I know who had it, didn't have much pain at all, so I was starting to wonder if there was something wrong. I'm not showing any of the warning signs my doc told me to watch out for, but it hurts. I came here to see if I was the only one.

I am 3 days post-op. I am in a lot of pain, have diarrhea every time I sit down, and the place where my drain was is still gushing periodically. I can't even imagine working right now.

@sdsdownes

I also have BCBS of TX and they say to give them 30 days for approval, but I got mine back in 14. I hounded them though.