Basically, I'm trying to figure out how much time I should plan on requesting off from work. I had put in for a total of 3 weeks off (one prior to, and 2 after), but my supervisor is concerned that it may not be enough time to recuperate fully. Her daughter had gastric sleeve here in the states, and it was over a month before she was cleared to go back to work.

My employers have been fairly supportive, and I'll be filing FMLA paperwork, etc... but I have to admit the idea of taking a month or more off work freaks me out a little (okay maybe a lot). Logically, I know it would be fine, though tight financially, but I can't seem to wrap my head around it. Should I really plan on 3 to 4 weeks after surgery before returning to work?

Edited February 29, 201610 yr by storykpr

Hi! I would not take more than a week. It is really not a big of a deal operation. I took two weeks off and after the operstion we rented a car and travelled in California, we walked a lot in Disney and Universal studio and I tried all tides. I was fine. Just make sure you will walk a lot and you will heal faster.

My surgery is set for April 15th and I plan on being back at work the following Thursday. I too have a desk job so I'm hoping that everything will go smoothly. Still hasn't REALLY set in that this is happening but I'm sure it will soon enough.

My surgery is set for April 15th and I plan on being back at work the following Thursday. I too have a desk job so I'm hoping that everything will go smoothly. Still hasn't REALLY set in that this is happening but I'm sure it will soon enough.

That is the exact same timeline I had, my surgery was on a Friday and I was back at work the following Thursday. I have two co-workers that both had bypass surgery, they could not believe I was back at work that fast and that I could work the whole day. One of my co-workers told me that she was absolutely worn out from pushing her chair back and forth at her desk....

I waited until I was 4 weeks postop before returning to work, but I am a nurse and do alot of heavy lifting.

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Im going for surgery March 8th and expect to return to work around 25th.

Im an airline pilot and not only have to comply to FAA rules and guidelines but also have the challenge of having to follow the post op eating regime of liquids, puree foods etc which are not really available at airport fast food outlets.

Obviously I sit around a lot but also it gets somewhat physical dragging bags, preflight checks require bending, squatting etc.

FAA Dr is happy with that as is my Chief Pilot.

I had surgery in Mexico on a Friday and back to work the next Thursday. I am a vet tech and on my feet all day, bending, squatting, kneeling, etc. I was tired but felt OK. I was on full liquids for 3 weeks, so I had protein shakes and other fluids available to sip at all times. Adding pureed fruit to my shakes helped with my energy levels. I also had to respect a 20 pound lifting restriction for 3 weeks, but was back to the usual 40-60 pounds after that.