How much time to take off?

[Heather Feather 35]

Hi everyone,

I teach high school English, and I am about a month out from surgery. Our next break is Thanksgiving break. I really want to go ahead with the surgery and not wait that long...but then I am concerned about recovery time. When I had my band, I had it over Spring Break and the surgeon insisted on doing it late in the week. I ended up only having about three days of recovery before going back to teaching.

Anyway, I'm looking for some advice. Would I be able to take a full week and be ok to come back and teach? What if I sit down and teach? Any advice would be most appreciated. I am very excited to have the surgery, but I also want to do the right thing.

Thanks,
Heather

[stelsewhere 27]

I was off for 4 weeks. I will tell you that mentally I would have been able to go back after 1 week, but no way physically. It's really hard not to get your liquids in the first 2 weeks. And if you aren't on it all day, you will get dizzy and possibly pass out (I passed out once).

Also, you need time to get into a routine with all the Vitamins and shakes and Water. It's a lot of hard work. I know waiting is hard, but you will need time after the surgery to take care of yourself.

Whatever you end up doing, good luck! Everyone here is SO supportive, so stay in touch!

[NewNewMe 277]

I took one week off.

[crome 1]

I had band to sleeve revision 8/31 and will return to desk job this Wednesday...surgeon seemed to think 2 weeks was needed.....I agree with all the work to get in liquids Protein and Vitamins etc..but everyone is different. I know they say you can have 4-6 weeks to be off but that would be if you want/have that much time to take prolly....

[kranky813 477]

Originally I was set to have 2 weeks off. After being readmitted to the hospital for 3 days due to dehydration in the beginning I decided to take another week off. I went back to work today and couldn't make it a whole day. I now have 2 more weeks off. So 5 weeks total.

If you have the time use it. It's a complete lifestyle change and takes time to adjust.

[Heather Feather 35]

Hi all,

thanks so much for your responses. As a teacher, taking any block of time off is especially difficult. It's even worse if you teach a tested subject like I do (freshman English). I do NOT want to short-change myself this go-round, but I'm also hampered by the time constraints. Though it will be tough to wait, I think I might set my surgery to a few days before Thanksgiving break. That way, I'm only taking 3 days and then will have the entire week plus two weekends to recover. I hope that will be enough. If not, I'll have to slog through three more weeks before Christmas break.

I would do it tomorrow if I could!

[saraannie 7]

I work retail and taking 6 weeks, we wanted to make sure I was healed and was on solid food. I don't usually work an 8 day, more like 10hours. Being a manager I may not have someone to help with the heavy items either. I guess it just depends. I am in week 4 I feel good but don't always feel that I am getting all my nutrition. Good luck

[Heather Feather 35]

Well, life is attempting to throw a curve ball and now surgery is scheduled for October 14th. I guess one week it is!

[ellie123 374]

Heather Feather, I'm in Texas too! Dallas to be exact Good luck to you!!!! You can do this!

[brayd_mommy09 11]

I had my surgery the 17th of September and I am returning the 28th. So about a week and 3 days off. I'm feeling pretty good.

[RDub 57]

I have a week scheduled off. My employer is pretty concerned that I definitely come back after just 1 week, (I know they are not supposed to be able to tell me when to come back from surgery but they are) and I'm worried 1 week won't be enough. Its a desk job. Hopefully this does not become an issue. There is someone just waiting to takeover my job when I am not there so they wouldn't miss me.

[NewNewMe 277]

I have a desk job. I could have gone back after 4 days if I had to. You should be good after a week.

[ididit34 91]

I had my band removed 8/31 and my sleeve is scheduled for 10/26. I was wondering if a longer recovery is needed if you have the two procedures done at the same time, just wondering. I 'm scheduled to have two weeks off. I went to target after having the lap band removed for a prescription but walked around, albeit in pain, for about 3 hours. I went to work the next day. I'm concerned that I may need more time.