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Is returning to work after 5 days reasonable?

ld33

By ld33, in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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ld33    95

ld33
Posted

I'm seriously considering only taking 5 days off of work to avoid filling FMLA. Three days off and two days working from home actually. I have a desk job. I personally think the sooner I can get back into the swing of things the better it will be for me but I've never had this surgery before. I've heard a a variety of stories and would love to hear from some of you. Thank you.

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momof2tx    13

momof2tx
Posted

That is pushing it, but everyone is different. I am a substitute clerk at a high school, so I have a desk job too. It was 9 days post op and that was pushing it, but it can be done. I have read that some people go back 3-4 days post op and are okay. Don't expect much of yourself when you get home for a few weeks, just working during the day will wear you out because those first few weeks post op, you are consuming so few calories, you're exhausted.

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2goldengirl    2,076

2goldengirl
Posted

It wouldn't have been in my case. I was readmitted to the hospital and was still there 5 days postop. I took four weeks off and I needed every bit of them and yes, I have a desk job.

Will you be sent home on full liquids? Will you be able to get them in at work?

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ld33    95

ld33
Posted

It wouldn't have been in my case. I was readmitted to the hospital and was still there 5 days postop. I took four weeks off and I needed every bit of them and yes, I have a desk job.

Will you be sent home on full liquids? Will you be able to get them in at work?

Clear Liquids for three days and then full liquids starting on day 4 I believe

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Christinamo7    4,042

Christinamo7
Posted

here's the deal.

I took one week off because I have a desk job. it was fine. I had NO COMPLICATIONS. what if you do?

I would fill out the FMLA so you are covered. my doctor approved 4 weeks off. ok, lets plan for the worst and hope for the best. when I did fine they released me to come back to work.

Should you have any problems at all you will be glad you have the FMLA paperwork done and it will protect your job.

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FayBee    285

FayBee
Posted

I had surgery Wednesday 3/16/16 went back to work Tuesday 3/22/16 and I was fine. A bit uncomfortable but manageable. I have a desk job. But thankfully I didn't have any complications.

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livvsmum    2,370

livvsmum
Posted

Every experience is different. I couldn't have gone back in 5 days. I went back after 2 weeks & was SUPER exhausted even at that point.

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KristenLe    5,980

KristenLe
Posted

Alot of places require a Drs note if out for more than 3-5 days. Be sure your Surgeon will release you that soon. I agree with @@Christinamo7 filling out FMLA paperwork is a good idea (if you're eligible). I would be very careful going back too soon.

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autymn    27

autymn
Posted

I was planning to go in eight days later and I am so glad I did not. There is no way I could have done it. I took two weeks, though, and the doctor said that that was even not what people usually do. I had to fill out FMLA papers because they said anything more than three days is an FMLA situation.

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kmorri    1,689

kmorri
Posted

I work from home full time....I originally planned on just taking 3 days off.....That's still my plan....sort of....But I decided to schedule the whole week off....surgery will be on a Monday.....so I'll schedule the whole week off but told my manager I may cancel some of the time if I don't need all of it. He will also be fine if something should happen that causes me to need more time.

So I think the bottom line is you don't really know.....but probably best to plan for a little more than you think you'll need just in case.

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Ashoryb    52

Ashoryb
Posted

I work from home full time....I originally planned on just taking 3 days off.....That's still my plan....sort of....But I decided to schedule the whole week off....surgery will be on a Monday.....so I'll schedule the whole week off but told my manager I may cancel some of the time if I don't need all of it. He will also be fine if something should happen that causes me to need more time.

So I think the bottom line is you don't really know.....but probably best to plan for a little more than you think you'll need just in case.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you do for a living that let's you work at home? I've searches for so. Long for a good work from home job and have never found one. Congrats on your surgery

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

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      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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