Hello, I am hoping some of you can help me get an understanding about recovery time. I originally had my Lap band surgery in sept 2010. I have had great success although I have worked very hard to make it a success. I exercise regularly and had constant fill and unfill when needed. Long story short I went to the Dr yesterday because It was feeling right and he said it has to come out. Prolapse for the 2nd time. He is recommending a sleeve conversion. I am all for the this however, Due to a recent family illness involving my son, I exhausted most of my sick/vacation time. I cannot afford to go out for much more than 2-3 weeks. Is it possible to return to work that soon. I have a job which requires short periods of walking and standing. I do get plenty of opportunities to sit at my desk for extended periods of time. My Dr. says I will be out 4-6 weeks. I know we need to follow Dr's orders but I also need to support my family. Thanks for taking time to respond...

As long as your job doesn't involve any lifting, you should be able to go back after two weeks. You may want to look into FMLA (Family & Medical Leave Act) coverage and short term disability if you don't have enough sick time.

I went back after a week, but was pretty useless for that first week, office stuff only. The second week (third week after surgery) I was able to do most stuff. By the third week, it was all good, (other than lifting).

Don't know if there are any recovery time differences between a straight sleeve and a band-to-sleeve conversion. I had sleeve surgery in November, and was out 14 work days before returning. The first 5 days I used sick leave and for the rest I collected STD.

I went back to work after 6 days, but, no lifting

I went back to work 1 week and 2 days after having surgery, however I felt like I could have gone back within a couple days. Compared to other surgeries I have had, gallbladder, hysterectomy - the sleeve was a very easy recovery for me.

However, everyone is different. I hope you bounce back quickly.

Your energy is pretty low but you should be able to go back to work in a week or less I would think as long as your surgery goes well.

Hopefully some band to sleeve people respond, they would know better what that recovery is like. You might want to post in that forum.

As long as you work someplace with 50+ employees (in the U.S.), then you can get unpaid leave covered by FMLA. You would need to make sure and discuss ASAP with your HR department.

But if you have a job with no lifting or excessive amounts of walking, then you should be okay to go back within 2 weeks. You'll be tired, and you should discuss with your supervisor about how you may need to sit down a bit more often than usual for another week or two.

I was just a regular sleeve (no revision) and had a desk job, and went back after 2 weeks. Those 2 weeks off, I slept most of the time, and worked on getting in my fluids and walked the house every hour I was actually awake to prevent blood clots... but yeah, mostly slept. I was tired at work, but I didn't have to interact with people and mostly could sit there and work.

I am on my feet all day, and was back to work in 3 weeks, but everyone is a little diffrent

I was a revision with hiatal hernia repair. My surgery was on a Thursday and I went back to work 2 Mondays after (so after 18 days). I have a sedentary job though and my employer was aware I had surgery. I kept my office door closed as I was still tired and didn't feel like people coming in and out.

Look into FMLA. I know it sucks to take unpaid leave but it is an option if your company is large enough for it.

There were women in my building who had WLS and some came back after 2 weeks. They all have desk jobs and looked extremely tired for a month.

I had the Sleeve and went back after 4 weeks but half days for 8 days (4 sick days). Maybe you can do half days for the 3rd week and see how you feel.

You will be tired!!!

I had band removal, conversion to sleeve and hiatal hernia repair and went back to my office job 6 days post surgery.

thanks everyone. I will have to see about FMLA. so disappointed that my band is leaving... thanks again

I am a nurse and planning on taking 7 weeks or so.

I work a desk job and came back after two weeks. I have a co-worker that had it done and she was out six weeks and she was amazed that I was back to work so soon. It's hard to say what will work for you because everyone is very different. As others mentioned see about FMLA if you can that way your not in danger of losing your job if you need extra time.

I went back after 3 weeks, but could have easily done just 2. Keep in mind, you might need some time after for follow up appts. My surgeon has terrible hours and I have to take a half day each time. For him to pay my head and say "atta girl!" Makes me mental.