Im a nurse. I work in a nicu so I work with small babies but still some babies are 8lbs or more and I was wondering how long I should request off. I know some people are good after a week. I was gonna do 2 weeks but im worried that wont be enough?

When I had my lap band which was also laparoscopic I only took a week off but I had an office job. Luckily I'm a stay at home mom at the moment but have had several abdominal surgeries and the first few days to a week are definitely the hardest. I think the key is to walk early, take your pain meds and rest when you can. If you don't get nausea that will definitely make healing go better because straining with cut abdominal muscles is horrible. Everyone is different though. Good luck!

You guys are extremely insightful I am learning so much. Cause I need to know experiences to help me. Thank you

I would definitely go for at least two weeks. I didn't begin to feel substantially better until 10 days and I was exhausted for three months

Hi! I'm an ER RN and I went back to work yesterday for my first 12 hr shift after 9 days off for my surgery. I have plenty of helpful coworkers that are more than happy to help with lifting and pulling for me when needed. My surgeon told me last week at my post op appt that I'm restricted to 20lbs for a month. I was worried about my energy level and being able to endure the shift because I've just been so easily exhausted but somehow I made it through and actually felt close to normal once I got moving. The hardest part was having to watch everyone eat delicious takeout while you're sipping your water and protein [emoji51] Good luck to you!

My doctor told me after 1 week I could go back to work because I have a desk job. I have a second job working in a residential treatment center but I have to take an entire month off from that one as part of the job requires us to restrain children 8-21. I'd go directly to the doctor and ask him about lifting the babies though. That's a unique situation.

I was back to work this week at 3 1/2 weeks post-op. I did two busy 8 hour days. It was ok. I managed to get in my fluids and protein. I was actually hungrier than I have been - I guess because I was more active. All in all. It was fine.

But, oh my, was I ever exhausted after the second day! I passed out the moment my head hit the pillow and slept like the dead. It definitely wore me out. I'm off now for a week (yay part time rotations!) and I'm sure I'll be 100% by then

I was out for a week and was completely fine with the exception of being tired! With a physical job I would shoot for three weeks as you will want to nap half the day and get tired easily better to have extra time than not enough! Good luck

I going to request three weeks but I have to go on short- term disability, after I use my 6 sick days. Just in case something happens. Also, I will have family medical leave due to my host of ailments pulmonary hypertension, COPD, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis.

Best of luck!!! It's better to half plenty of time than not! It will definitely change your life!

I was back to work with my psych patients at 3 weeks my Dr cleared me for the gym at 2

progress starts in the mind

Hi! I'm an ER RN and I went back to work yesterday for my first 12 hr shift after 9 days off for my surgery. I have plenty of helpful coworkers that are more than happy to help with lifting and pulling for me when needed. My surgeon told me last week at my post op appt that I'm restricted to 20lbs for a month. I was worried about my energy level and being able to endure the shift because I've just been so easily exhausted but somehow I made it through and actually felt close to normal once I got moving. The hardest part was having to watch everyone eat delicious takeout while you're sipping your water and protein [emoji51] Good luck to you!

Thank you so much. I really needed to hear from someone who is also a nurse because as you know our shifts can be very hard. Thank you for your response.

Thank you all for your responses so many great experiences here.

On 4/13/2017 at 9:10 PM, Leelee9997 said:

Best of luck!!! It's better to half plenty of time than not! It will definitely change your life!

Thank you, Leelee. Same goes for you I appreciate that.

On 4/10/2017 at 9:47 AM, AmandaWho said:

My doctor told me after 1 week I could go back to work because I have a desk job. I have a second job working in a residential treatment center but I have to take an entire month off from that one as part of the job requires us to restrain children 8-21. I'd go directly to the doctor and ask him about lifting the babies though. That's a unique situation.

I have a desk job, so I'm hoping for 1 week. I have plenty of time to take off, just don't want to miss too much!

I'm a truck driver and had 2 weeks off ...