Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🎉 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins

How Long Should I Take Off From Work?

melliecat

By melliecat, in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums

Recommended Posts

melliecat    55

melliecat
Posted

hi all! If you had no restriction, how long would you have taken off from work? Full pay for the whole time... How long would you have said is the best amount of time off.

I have up to 12 weeks fully paid time off for medical leave. I want to take what is optimal, and would love your opinion. Of course, I will do what my doctor recommends, but I want to see what you all thought.

THANKS!

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Donna415    47

Donna415
Posted

My surgeon said three but I have a desk job and my follow up is Tuesday. I'm letting him know I need a little more time only because it hurts to sit up for so long and I'm stuck at a desk, on the phone all day. I've seen some people that take 2 weeks and feel fine, and some that take 6-8. It will really depend on how you feel or what your job entails.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

turtle5569    91

turtle5569
Posted

I had surgery on Friday September 2nd went back to work the following Thursday 6 days later. I used up all my PTO on summer vacations so I had no choice:( I work from home and have a desk job so I figured I'd be good. I was ok just had a little discomfort sitting all day. I feel so much better today tomorrow will be 10 days. So I would recommend if you can at least 2 weeks., but it depends on your body some were good 1 week later.

This is for comfort reasons, as far as diet reasons that again depends on you. Some people have a hard time adjusting to the new lifestyle.

Turtle5559

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

HanSolo1977    261

HanSolo1977
Posted

My program requires 2 weeks. I'm kinda wishing I'd have taken 3, but maybe i just don't want to go to work...

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Sajijoma    1,324

Sajijoma
Posted

I was fine to do everything I needed to do even before 2wks had passed, BUT those extra weeks off are great because you will have a lot of fatigue and you are still trying to learn your new body and routines. Ideally, just for that, I'd say take 6wks if you've got it to use, but you likely will be back up doing it all in much less time than that.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Airstream88    361

Airstream88
Posted

I told my office 4 - 6 weeks. Even though my body may feel ready earlier than that, I feel I will need time to get the new eating/drinking lifestyle worked out. Also, I've read people say that their emotions are all over the place (from the hormones exitting with the FAT) and I do not want to subject my co-workers to a crazy woman.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

jen'snewday    48

jen'snewday
Posted

My Dr will only approve up to 4 if you have no complications . I am taking the whole 4. I feel okay but getting into a new norm is what I'm working on now . Plus the extra time gives your body a better chance to heal. If you have the time, take it . Now is the time for us to care for ourselves

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

trekker954    421

trekker954
Posted

A lot of doctors, if you need a note, will only give them 2 weeks at a time. It's a cover your ass. It doesn't look good to them as surgeons if you need excessive time off. As I too had a lot of leave accumulated. So in the end I just took 2 1/2 weeks off. Glad it wasn't longer. I was bored out of my mind after a week. I have no kids at home. But it is much easier following your plan in your own kitchen.

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

HorsecollarMinnie    45

HorsecollarMinnie
Posted

I planned on a week. I thought I sit on a computer all day and can work from home, should be "doable". Um. No. I'm 6 days out and will definitely not be back full time as expected on Wed of this week.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

swinglifeaway    64

swinglifeaway
Posted

hi all! If you had no restriction, how long would you have taken off from work? Full pay for the whole time... How long would you have said is the best amount of time off.

I have up to 12 weeks fully paid time off for medical leave. I want to take what is optimal, and would love your opinion. Of course, I will do what my doctor recommends, but I want to see what you all thought.

THANKS!

I planned on 2 weeks but ended up taking 12 weeks due to complications.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Deletemyacct    39

Deletemyacct
Posted

My surgery is right before thanksgiving so I'm taking a week but it comes out to 2weeks due to the included holidays...then I go back to work for 2weeks & we're close for 2weeks Christmas break so it works out perfect

Sent from my LGMS631 using the BariatricPal App

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Harsha    168

Harsha
Posted

Being an accountant I sit at a desk I went back to work one week later. I also own a pet sitting business, I went to work 2 hours after being released from the hospital. Yes I'm crazy lol

Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

criztian    8

criztian
Posted

i took off two weeks and went back this past wednesday but really think i rushed it. i have a rather "easy" job physically but still feel worn out after just a few hours. I'd recommend taking all the time u can!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Go To Topic Listing Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        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

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    Bariatric Forums

    For Patients

    Health Professionals

    Search Surgeons

    Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

    ×