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liza1180

By liza1180, in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums

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liza1180    16

liza1180
Posted

Hello! I know that everyone's recovery and process is different, but I was just wondering for people that have already had the surgery how long were you out of work? I have surgery scheduled on Friday and I am trying to plan how long I will be out! Thanks in advance for the responses!

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Ruth1ess    494

Ruth1ess
Posted

I took a month off. I probably could have returned after 3 weeks, but I'm glad I had the time!

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mamalisa268    58

mamalisa268
Posted

I took 2 weeks off but that 3rd week at work was hard. Everyone is different and also depends on what you do. I sit behind a desk. But if you work in a job that requires hard labor or lifting heavy things, you are going to need a much longer healing time. Good Luck... ????

hw - 444 ~ surgery date 11/23 ~ sw - 363 ~ cw 341

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NWJill    119

NWJill
Posted

My surgeon gave me really very little guidelines for this, he said average is two weeks but he had seen people return in 3 days, it all depends on your own recovery. I just had surgery last Friday, I arranged to work from home for two weeks. That way if I get tired or feel sick I can take a nap or whatever. Today is still a holiday so I start working from home tomorrow and I feel up for it. I am sore but overall pain is manageable, only taking pain meds at night to help sleep and I was able to stay up all day yesterday without needing a nap but I did have some bowel movement issues that would not have been fun at work. I would see how flexible your employer is to flex your back to work date based on how you are feeling

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creatingthenewme    91

creatingthenewme
Posted

I go back to work tomorrow after six weeks off. I have a desk job and I'm glad I took the time off because it has been pretty uncomfortable for me to sit. I did have some complications but at the end of the day I'm happy it has been six weeks.

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tani    105

tani
Posted

My sugeon requires 4 weeks off no matter what job you have. At the 4 week check up he determines if more time is needed or if the patient feels they need more time. I have a desk job and asked for an additional week for 5 weeks total but I feel I should have waited longer.

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asearcy93    0

asearcy93
Posted

I felt good after three weeks. I was off for six weeks. I'm glad I did take the time. The hardest part was not the recovery pain, but the lifestyle adjustment to food and new eating habits. You need time to adjust to how your new diet will affect you. The extra weeks off for this was priceless. You will also need time to rest too.

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Kaylamh    144

Kaylamh
Posted

I work in retail. I was out for 12 days, and going back wasn't too bad. I got tired fairly early on in the day, but other than that I didn't have many issues.

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FamilyGuyNJ    123

FamilyGuyNJ
Posted

Wow, I'm suprised by these responses. I'm only planning to take a week off. I sit at a desk in a private office. I figured I would be just as uncomfortable at home as I would be at work.

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theantichick    2,204

theantichick
Posted

I had surgery on Wed, worked from home the next week starting on Mon, then back at the office the week after that. I'm in IT, so no physical exertion at work. If I'd had the time, I'd have liked that first week completely off and then worked from home the following week.

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HeidiSue2009    48

HeidiSue2009
Posted

3 weeks. I work in HR and have a desk job, but my surgeon was adamant about taking the full 3 weeks to recover.

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Er1n    90

Er1n
Posted

I had 3 weeks out then the 4th week I worked remote 4 hrs a day. I had RNY.

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Er1n    90

Er1n
Posted

Wow, I'm suprised by these responses. I'm only planning to take a week off. I sit at a desk in a private office. I figured I would be just as uncomfortable at home as I would be at work.

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Are you having RNY or sleeve? I had RNY and can't imagine having gone back to work the first 2 weeks. You are so low energy. The 3rd once you are eating (if RNY) your energy level is so much better.

If you have the time take it. Mine was covered by short term disability. Look into that. I was surprised that bypass was covered under short term disability and FMLA.

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kdc82    4

kdc82
Posted

I took 2 weeks off for rny. I was moving well after 1 week but when I was sore or low energy it was nice to lay back down in a comfortable position.

Also I work on the 4th of a walk up building so the first week of going back the stairs were a little slow going.

The first week back (3rd week post op) was rough at work. I was drained physically and mentally.

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
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    • Doughgurl

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      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
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      1. Phil Penn

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        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

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        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

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        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

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    • 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

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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
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      · 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!

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