Returning to work

[dvmp61 44]

I planned to take off for a week. However, during my final consult before surgery, my surgeon said that he gives patients 4-6 weeks, although they could possibly go back to work earlier. He said it's not so much the pain, but that patients have a hard time adjusting to how they have to eat post-surgery. Fortunately, I have incredible support from my leadership, so I'll be off for a week, and plan on teleworking for 3 weeks. I am currently 3 days post-op as of 1/26/17. We'll see how it goes.

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Edited January 26, 2017 by dvmp61

[Moon Princess 55]

Definitely would recommend at least two weeks if your job is physical. A week out I was still in a bit of pain and not sleeping very well (being stuck on your back is the worst). It gets 1000% better every day, but it's definitely a healing process. My surgery was on a Wednesday and I was working again on Friday (from home) I work in digital marketing so I sit all day, but I couldn't go into the physical office till tuesday, and even then, it was very difficult.

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[erica_ozzy73 241]

Is it reasonable to believe i can go back to a semi physical job 1 week after surgery? I haven't had surgery yet I'm just curious if I will have to take more time then a week off which means I would have to postpone my surgery until I get more vacation time

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I'm a truck driver which can be quiet physical sometimes. I help load the truck and I'm occasionally jumping on and off the back to shift things around. Not a great idea lol

I start at around 6am and work till when ever.

I was fine going back after 2 weeks post op.

I wasn't on pain meds at all ( came off them hours after op)

I was a little fatigued but not tired.

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[stephkay 4]

I took off 3 days after surgery and I was fine. I have a desk job but walk a lot on construction sites. Dr told me 2 weeks but I was fine after a few days.

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And how are you doing post-surgery? Glad you did it?

I am doing great. Very glad I did it. Thanks for asking. Still getting used to how much I can eat, but am able to drink more Water now and I've actually recently started training for a mini triathlon.

[krissyvsg 47]

Niceeeeeeeee take it slow things will turn out great

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[greatladyanna 11]

I took 4 weeks off and when I went back to work I wasn't able to stay engaged for a full day so I went on a reduced schedule of 5 hour days for 3 weeks. I start back on a full schedule next week and now I feel ready.

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[hdsjourney 48]

I was off for six weeks, going back to work Monday!

Sleeved

[Charisma 10]

I had my sleeve done Friday and was planning on return to work Monday but preoperatively decided to give myself one extra day so will return Tuesday instead. That being said, I actually felt well enough today that I probably would be fine on Monday but will enjoy some quiet time with kids in school and hubby at work. I think binge watching Netflix is just the thing for my recooperation

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[KittyV 27]

You could ,and I planned to; but to be honest, I felt better taking the extra week.

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[blizair09 3,250]

All of you that go back to work within a week -- I don't know how you do it. I'll admit, the last 2 of my 6 weeks off, I felt fine, but even then, I was so tired all of the time. I took a 2 hour nap every afternoon. There is absolutely no way I could have gone back to work within a week, or even 2 weeks. And to keep up with the Water and Protein requirements as well -- no way. You all are definitely stronger than I ever could have been.

[dvmp61 44]

I was sleeved on 1/23, and my first time out of the house was yesterday. I went with my family toob the mall, but didn't get out. Then we went to a store that I went into with my daughters. That little bit of activity took so much energy. I was off last week and will be teleworking for three weeks. So I'll be physically away from work for a total of 4 weeks.

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[Charisma 10]

So I agree that I have been exceedingly lucky with my recovery but I had absolutely no problems returning to work yesterday 1/30 after being sleeved Friday 1/27. I think the first 6 hours after surgery were the worst as they tried to get on top of my post-op pain but once they did it was a pretty quick recovery and by Sunday I was off all my pain and nausea meds. I was lucky in that I didn't require any hernia repair and I am sure that's part of why my fluids go down with no problems. I actually don't feel hardly any restriction yet and was wondering if she actually removed enough stomach but from reading others' stories on here, they say I will feel it more as I progress into more solid foods. Not trying to brag or anything just wanted to offer people who tend to recover well from surgery some hope. To me this was about like recovery from my gallbladder surgery that was also done laproscopically 2 years ago.

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[FindingCarrie 244]

@"Charisma", I was sleeved on 1/17, and I told my husband 3 days after that I didn't think the doctor took out any of my stomach because I had absolutely no problems drinking, or taking any of my pill medications. Then i started my soft food stage, and BAM! There was the restriction I had read so much about. I can only fit about 2oz of cottage cheese, yogurt, or anything really right now. I assume this is going to get even tougher as I progress in to more dense foods, but I was so happy to finally feel that restriction.

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[Charisma 10]

@"Charisma", I was sleeved on 1/17, and I told my husband 3 days after that I didn't think the doctor took out any of my stomach because I had absolutely no problems drinking, or taking any of my pill medications. Then i started my soft food stage, and BAM! There was the restriction I had read so much about. I can only fit about 2oz of cottage cheese, yogurt, or anything really right now. I assume this is going to get even tougher as I progress in to more dense foods, but I was so happy to finally feel that restriction.

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You just made my day Finding Carrie! I really am looking forward to that feeling as odd as it sounds. Let's be recovery buddies and I can learn from your trail blazing a week ahead of me. I want to lose 120lbs to get to my goal. My surgeon recommends full liquids for 2 weeks post surgery and I am just dying to chew something at this point! I just reached my pre-surgical weight yesterday from all the fluids and swelling from the procedure I am sure and I am ready to see those numbers finally drop for good now!

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[FindingCarrie 244]

@"Charisma", I am hoping to lose about 110 lbs, so we are right in the same ballpark with our weight loss goals. I lost 7 lbs in the first week post op, and 11 lbs during the one week liquid pre-op. In this second week post op, I only lost 3 lbs, but I am not complaining. Doing god so far.

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