Returning to work

[pattyoj 13]

If you are around 280, and have a job where you sit all day, how long after surgery did you return to work?

I am not active, but I walk, have a sitting job, I am 28 and surgery will be on a Thursday, planning to go back to work Monday/Tuesday. It's a sitting job, I want to do, how many people have done this. I don't want to be the only crazy one

Thanks

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[ange117 93]

I am a bit heavier than you, but I think a Thursday to Monday turn around would be really pushing it. I had a very minor complication and spent 3 nights in the hospital, which would have meant going to work the next day, in your scenario. I certainly would not have been ready.

I'm 8 days post-op now, and I still don't feel ready. I could maybe go back at 2 weeks, but I'm really looking to take 3. Frankly the exhaustion from healing and consuming so few calories is significantly more challenging than managing the pain. Also remember that you're not allowed to drive on narcotic pain medicine, so you'd have to be going to work on nothing more than tylenol. That would be extremely uncomfortable for me, and I'd worry about your ability to focus on getting enough Fluid and Protein if you're distracted by work. It really is a full time job for the first few days.

In the end, only you and your surgeon can make the decision about when you'll be ready. But personally (and this is my 4th major surgery, so I'm quite good at handling surgical pain/recovery), I wouldn't consider going back that quickly. I would say at least one week, maybe two.

You might not even be home from the hospital yet if you have even the slightest complication. Remember, this is a major surgery on your organs, it's not a small outpatient procedure.

Best of luck to you!

[MaeMae 9]

Had my surgery a week ago today - my intent pre-surgery was to return to work the Monday following. I quickly realized that was too ambitious. I had no complications, released the day after and walked frequently while admitted. I too have a high threshold for pain and a sitting job. However my doc was right. Adjusting to the Fluid intake takes a while. I feel like I can manage it at work now. So returning on Wednesday (tomorrow); week & a day post-surgery. Listen to your body. Best wishes

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[aelovelady 243]

I was 240 and scheduled a week, but went back in 4 days, I was 45 when I had my surgery. My doctor does not believe in pain meds. Honestly, the hardest part was getting the flow of drinking and eating.

[RJC5197 282]

My son had his a little over a year ago. He was 31 at the time.

He was glad to have 2 weeks of. He tired very easy after WLS and needed to nap often, and also had to have some time to really focus on eating & drinking the way he should to heal properly.

He also needed a Dr. sign of B4 his work place allowed him to return, and Dr. would not do so quicker than 2 weeks

Good luck

[Jools64 3]

I was 293 when I had my surgery (8 weeks ago today). I have an office job, lots of computer work thus lots of sitting. I left the hospital on Feb. 18 and went back to work on March 2 (the day after my first follow-up). I was still a bit weak and I tired easily. I was fine but I wished I had taken the rest of that week. But nothing major happened other than sleeping a lot that weekend!

I personally think two weeks in the minimum, one week is pushing it!

Best of luck to you :-)

[Bino 44]

I also have a desk job. I'll be going back to work one week after surgery. However, the first three days will be half days since my biggest complaint is I get tired easily. The doc agreed that a few half days was the best way to ease back into work.

I also have a desk job. I'll be going back to work one week after surgery. However, the first three days will be half days since my biggest complaint is I get tired easily. The doc agreed that a few half days was the best way to ease back into work.

[KristenLe 5,980]

My surgeon recommends 4 weeks - but said I could reasonably go back after 2 weeks. I'm taking as much time as possible (because I can for one) because I think it'll be easier with the post-op diet to be at home and have time to prepare and also to exercise (especially if I'm dealing with the emotions others have experienced). Remember - this is major surgery and it takes time to recover! Don't push yourself!

[mngreeneyes 674]

I was 277 when I had my surgery. I am an administrative Assistant so I sit a lot for my job. I took two full weeks off and then worked partial days for the next week. I basically worked until I could feel myself hitting the wall and then went home while I still felt I could drive myself safely. I immediately took a nap when I got home. For the first 3 weeks I took a nap at least once every day, but the naps got shorter and less frequent the further I was from surgery.

Could I have gone back earlier? possibly. Am I glad I waited? absolutely. There is so much to adapt to after surgery on top of just recovery. Taking time to rest and recuperate was very beneficial and I had a super smooth recovery.

good luck!

pam

[gpmed 623]

I started at 285 lbs, am 32, and have a desk job. I still took off five full weeks and worked from home from one week, per my surgeon's recommendations. It took about six weeks to get my energy back after surgery. I felt like I had the flu, I was so tired. And I had bouts of nausea almost every day. It really helped to have that time to adjust to my new lifestyle.

[I'mDoingIt! 88]

I had mine on Friday and took one week off but went in the Wednesday after surgery for a few hours for a meeting. Other than being tired no reason you can't get through the day at your desk. Unless you have complications or a really long commute which may tire you out before you get there. I'm surprised people take 4-5 weeks off. Minimal pain. Mostly just discomfort and you're tired. Try not to go back before Tuesday or even Wednesday. Monday definitely too soon. Good luck!

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[SugarCali 9]

I'm 50, took one full week off after surgery, then went back to desk job for half days for 2 weeks. So glad I took the half days...biggest issue was exhaution! Still have to take a quick nap after work so I can function; good luck to you!

♡

[axlr8n 161]

I was 305 and took 3 weeks off because I was allowed to, but I definitely needed 2 weeks. I think if I wasn't sent home with a drain, it might have been different... I felt much better on day 7 immediately after it was removed. There is no way I could have gone back that first week!

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[pqmr 7]

I totally agree with ange117. I was at 273. I would have been good going back to work 2-3 weeks post op. Definitely not before then. I was exhausted from calorie reduction, recouping, and pain meds. I stopped pain meds (dilaudid and fentanyl) 8 days out. I then took Tylenol 3 as needed for pain-usually at night though I still had pain most of the time. With that being said, take off as much time as your job and budget will allow. I am 5 weeks post op and getting in Protein and fluids is still a full time job for me. My doc highly suggested taking 6 wks off, so that's what I did. I could have went back to work at 2-3 weeks if I absolutely had to.

I will also tell you...about 3 weeks post op I bent down to pull on my Ugg boot and felt a strong pull followed by pain on the left side of my abdomen. Went in to my doc and was told I pulled a muscle. He said that even though I may have felt fine, I was still healing from a major sx.

Take it easy and best of luck!

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[LabCop 1]

When I had the sleeve, I had it done on a Thursday and went back to work Monday with no issues. The low energy didn't kick in until I was 3 weeks post op. I'm doing the same thing with the revision, having it done Thursday and returning Monday, and I don't have a desk job

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