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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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      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

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      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!
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      1. Selina333

        Selina333

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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

      CaseyP1011

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

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