Returning to work after sleeve surgery

[Apple1 2,572]

For those of you that had the gastric sleeve, how soon were you able to return to work? Also did your doctor in MX give you a written excuse for work?

I am seriously considering just taking a week of vacation and not telling anyone at work that I had any surgery at all. I really don't want to have to explain anything to anyone except immediate family.

[blizair09 3,250]

I took 6 weeks off after my surgery. I could not physically have gone back until after 2 weeks. The fatigue was a real issue for about 8 weeks post-op, and I struggled with it for 2 weeks after I went back to work. Meeting your Protein and Water goals is quite literally a full-time job in those first weeks, in addition to moving through the food stages. There is no way I could have worked and have been as successful as I was in those first weeks after the surgery.

You'll get as many different answers as replies to this thread. The bottom line is that you should stay home as long as your personal, professional, and financial situations will allow.

Good luck!

[strengthin#ers 195]

I was out 3weeks not including my off days on the wekend. I said I was having my gall bladder removed, they make the same incisions for that. Not sure about the excuse tho. I don't know why they wouldn't tho. I got my PCP to give me an excuse since he knew the whole process....GO ME!!!!

[erica_ozzy73 241]

For those of you that had the gastric sleeve, how soon were you able to return to work? Also did your doctor in MX give you a written excuse for work?
I am seriously considering just taking a week of vacation and not telling anyone at work that I had any surgery at all. I really don't want to have to explain anything to anyone except immediate family.

I took two weeks off from truck driving which can be quite physical work as well. I had no issues although was a little fatigued by the end of the day. I felt like I could of gone back earlier but everyone's different.

[Apple1 2,572]

Thank you for your replies everyone. If I have to I could take another week off. I guess I will play it day by day and see how it goes. I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago and was off for 5 weeks, but I probably could have gone back at 4 weeks.

[Roseanne F 0]

OMG, I had no idea I would need to take that much time off from work. There is no way my employer will let me take more than a week off! This is an unexpected problem. When I had a consultation with a local bariatric surgeon, he told me I would be able to go back to work in a few days (with restrictions). UGH

[sabrina14339 11]

OMG, I had no idea I would need to take that much time off from work. There is no way my employer will let me take more than a week off! This is an unexpected problem. When I had a consultation with a local bariatric surgeon, he told me I would be able to go back to work in a few days (with restrictions). UGH

I really think it depends on you and your job. If it requires heavy lifting..or any lifting, then you may need longer or modified duties. Im told the harder part is feeling tired from not eating and adjusting to new rules, not the healing itself.

[erica_ozzy73 241]

OMG, I had no idea I would need to take that much time off from work. There is no way my employer will let me take more than a week off! This is an unexpected problem. When I had a consultation with a local bariatric surgeon, he told me I would be able to go back to work in a few days (with restrictions). UGH

My dr said I would be back in a couple of days lol.. when I spoke with my surgeons team they told me two weeks!!.. I nearly did a backflip. Then I had to tell my work who was not impressed with two weeks off as they needed my truck and I'm the only one whom can operate it lol.
I took a week of sick days the a week of holidays.
I could of gone back earlier.
Depends on what u do

[erica_ozzy73 241]

OMG, I had no idea I would need to take that much time off from work. There is no way my employer will let me take more than a week off! This is an unexpected problem. When I had a consultation with a local bariatric surgeon, he told me I would be able to go back to work in a few days (with restrictions). UGH

My dr said I would be back in a couple of days lol.. when I spoke with my surgeons team they told me two weeks!!.. I nearly did a backflip. Then I had to tell my work who was not impressed with two weeks off as they needed my truck and I'm the only one whom can operate it lol.
I took a week of sick days the a week of holidays.
I could of gone back earlier.
Depends on what u do

[erica_ozzy73 241]

OMG, I had no idea I would need to take that much time off from work. There is no way my employer will let me take more than a week off! This is an unexpected problem. When I had a consultation with a local bariatric surgeon, he told me I would be able to go back to work in a few days (with restrictions). UGH

My dr said I would be back in a couple of days lol.. when I spoke with my surgeons team they told me two weeks!!.. I nearly did a backflip. Then I had to tell my work who was not impressed with two weeks off as they needed my truck and I'm the only one whom can operate it lol.
I took a week of sick days the a week of holidays.
I could of gone back earlier.
Depends on what u do

[dyemond11 43]

It really depends on your job and what you do. I have a desk job and I took the maximum of what my doctor would give me which was 3 weeks.
Although I didn't Ned three weeks I took it. There was another lady in our office with the same surgery she only took a week.
Every job offers FMLA where you can receive up to 12 weeks of leave per year, if you don't want your job to know you medical reason of your leave have your doctor to write the diagnosis codes only on your FMLA paperwork and not write it out (gastric sleeve).


Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[dyemond11 43]

It really depends on your job and what you do. I have a desk job and I took the maximum of what my doctor would give me which was 3 weeks.
Although I didn't Ned three weeks I took it. There was another lady in our office with the same surgery she only took a week.
Every job offers FMLA where you can receive up to 12 weeks of leave per year, if you don't want your job to know you medical reason of your leave have your doctor to write the diagnosis codes only on your FMLA paperwork and not write it out (gastric sleeve).


Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[dyemond11 43]

It really depends on your job and what you do. I have a desk job and I took the maximum of what my doctor would give me which was 3 weeks.
Although I didn't Ned three weeks I took it. There was another lady in our office with the same surgery she only took a week.
Every job offers FMLA where you can receive up to 12 weeks of leave per year, if you don't want your job to know you medical reason of your leave have your doctor to write the diagnosis codes only on your FMLA paperwork and not write it out (gastric sleeve).


Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[dyemond11 43]

It really depends on your job and what you do. I have a desk job and I took the maximum of what my doctor would give me which was 3 weeks.
Although I didn't Need three weeks I took it. There was another lady in our office with the same surgery she only took a week.
Every job offers FMLA where you can receive up to 12 weeks of leave per year, if you don't want your job to know you medical reason of your leave have your doctor to write the diagnosis codes only on your FMLA paperwork and not write it out (gastric sleeve).


Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[Bon Appetit 41]

Is quick access to a bathroom a factor?