Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Returning to work after sleeve surgery



Recommended Posts

Of course I am hoping one week will be enough, but I want to be prepared. I am an entomologist and I work in a lab. My duties are highly variable, but I do have some control over heavy lifting and other strenuous work. I can decide to do lab, computer work for a few weeks until I am cleared to do more.

I am struggling with how much I want to share with other people about my surgery. I am a private person and I can't imagine having to explain this over and over.

Thank you for sharing everyone.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went back to work the Monday after my return from Mexico (on Sunday at 11 pm).

I have had no issues at all. I only took a week's vacation and didn't tell anyone at work until the day before I left.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

There are many people who go back in less than a week. Each person and surgeon is different.



Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, Bill Yanez said:

Apple1

If you need a leave of absence from work just let me know and I will take care of it for you.

Thank you Bill!! I guess I will just see how I feel when it is time to come home. The next two months can't go fast enough for me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites




For number 2s??..
I didn't have any issues


I was referring to more frequent urination due to increased liquids (60 oz Week 2). I would imagine one would have less BMs weeks 2&3? [emoji372]

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was off tuesday for travel, surgery wednesday, discharged friday. I went back to work for 4 hours the following monday. I worked 4 hours on mon, tues and weds. Thurs and fri it was six hours. The next week i was full time. I work a desk job though. My husband went back full time after a week off.



Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I only took a week well a week and 2 days since my surgery was on a Thursday. I honestly felt good exactly one week post op. My big incision still twinges but it's certainly not a reason to stay home. I take Tylenol and keep moving. I guess it's up to you. My step father took 6 weeks but he also wasn't doing what he was supposed to so. I guess it all depends on how well you are able to get your fluids and Protein in. Definitely your protein


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hi Apple1
i have a desk job and was only out a week and i was ok , however i had a little discomfort on my left side but i would get up and walk around the office every so often, just be careful we all heal differently and remember even though u might not feel it but our bodies are under a lot of stress after any major surgery , good luck [emoji4]


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for all of the replies to my question. I guess it is hard to know ahead of time how well we will feel after surgery. I am hopeful that I will be able to return to work after a week, two at the most.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@Apple1 I'm a desk jockey - I'm in the office two days a week and work from home the rest. I had surgery on Tuesday and did a full day on the following Monday. I packed a lunch box with my shakes and had Water with me and just sipped all day.

I only told work I needed to have a procedure and would miss one of my regularly scheduled office days. (I was able to work at home once I was discharged from the hospital.) My mother and my sister didn't know I had surgery, let alone VSG. My husband, my two teen daughters and one or two very close friends knew.

When people ask about my weight loss, I say I'm on a physician prescribed plan, high Protein, low carb and I weigh and measure everything along with working out. All of which is true. When I was asked how I could be back to work so soon after my "procedure", I just thanked the person for their concern. If people inquired about what I was (or wasn't) eating, I said I was having some stomach issues and my doctor had recommended what I was eating. Again - all of which was true.

Best of luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went back after a week and a day, aside from my main incision pain I've been fine, no issues! I wear spandex and place towel on it

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a nurse on a med surg unit. I was told to anticipate 4 weeks. They said it's easier to get a note to come back early than request through hr to extend my time off unless of course there are complications. They said they usually don't have anyone go over 4wks off.



Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have two full time jobs, they're both desk jobs. I took off two weeks just to be safe but from my research one week would have probably sufficed. I had PTO though so may as well.

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

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Theweightisover2024🙌💪

      Question for anyone, how did you get your mind right before surgery? Like as far as eating better foods and just doing better in general? I'm having a really hard time with this. Any help is appreciated 🙏❤️
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        I had about 6 months between deciding to do surgery and getting scheduled. I came across the book The Pound of Cure by Dr. Matthew Weiner, a bariatric surgeon in Arizona, and started to implement some of the changes he recommended (and lost 13 lbs in the process without ever feeling deprived). The book is very simple, and the focus is on whole, plant based foods, but within reason. It's not an all or nothing approach, or going vegan or something, but focuses on improvement and aiming for getting it right 80-90% of the time. His suggestions are divided into 12 sections that you can tackle over time, perhaps one per month for a year if a person is just trying to improve nutrition and build good habits. They range from things like cutting out artificial sweetener or eating more beans to eating a pound of vegetables per day. I found it really effective pre-surgery and it's an eating style I will be working to get back to as I am further out from surgery and have more capacity. Small changes you can sustain will do the most for building good habits for life.

      2. Theweightisover2024🙌💪

        That sounds awesome. I'll have to check that out thanks!

    • BeanitoDiego

      I've hit a stall 9 months out. I'm not worried, though. My fitness levels continue to improve and I have nearly accomplished my pre-surgery goal of learning to scuba dive! One dive left to complete to get my PADI card 🐠
      I was able to go for a 10K/6mile hike in the mountains two days ago just for the fun of it. In the before days, I might have attempted this, but it would have taken me 7 or 8 hours to complete and I would have been exhausted and in pain for the next two days. Taking my time with breaks for snacks and water, I was finished with my wee jaunt in only 4 hours 😎 and really got to enjoy photographing some insects, fungi, and turtles.
      Just for fun last week, I ran two 5Ks in two days, something I would have never done in the past! Next goal is a 10K before the end of this month.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Teriesa

      Hi everyone, I wrote back in May about having no strength. I still get totally exhausted just walking from room to room, it’s so bad I’m using a walker with wheels of all things. I had the gastric sleeve Jan. 24th. I’m doing exactly what the programs says, except protein shakes. I have different meats and protein bars daily, including vitamins daily. I do drink my fluids as well.  I go in for IV hydration 4 days a week and feel ok just til evening.  So far as of Jan 1st I’ve dropped 76 lbs. I just want to enjoy the weight lose. Any suggestions or has anyone else gone thru this??  Doctor says just increase calorie intake, still the same. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Stone Art By SKL

      Decorative Wall Cladding & Panels | Stone Art By SKL
      Elevate your space with Stone Art By SKL's decorative wall claddings & panels. Explore premium designs for timeless elegance.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Losing my hair in clumps and still dealing with "stomach" issues from gallbladder removal surgery. On the positive side I'm doing better about meeting protein and water goals and taking my vitamins, so yay? 🤷‍♀️
      · 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

    ×