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

How long before you returned to work?



Recommended Posts

So I made the first step today and called the surgeon's office. My insurance officially takes over January 1st of next year so I have a little bit of waiting time to go but they said I could fill out the paperwork. The woman who helped me was really nice and I'm really excited.

She said with my BMI I did not have to do the weight loss program but I do have to do the psychiatric evaluation.

I've heard some people say that they go back to work within one week but are not supposed to lift more than 10 pounds. I'm a teacher preschool and I'm wondering how long did it take or how long did they say for it take before you could go back to work? Has your doctor is giving you any advice of when you should go back?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My job gave me a paid month off so I took it.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was also fully paid and took 3 weeks off. I probably could have gone back in 2 weeks and would have been fine. You are generally tired for awhile after, take what you feel you can and need

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon wanted me off for 6 weeks. I'm about 2 1/2 weeks post op right now, and I feel like I could probably go back to work next week if I had to, but I'm using this time to get used to my new relationship with food.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have a very sedentary desk job and my surgeon ok'd me to return to work after a week, if I am feeling up to it. I am planning on taking 10 days off and may only work half days for my first week back.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I took 6 weeks off after surgery. Physically (aside from fatigue), I could probably have gone back after 2-3 weeks if I would have had to, but I took the time to devote myself 100% to meeting my Protein and Water goals and to work through the first 3/4 of the food stages. The fatigue was significant for 8 weeks post-op. Even my first 2 weeks back to work, I struggled with it.

My advice is to take as much time as your personal, professional, and financial situations will allow.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had planned to go back to work after one week - sleeved on 4/26 and back at my desk on 5/3. I figured being young and healthy would mean a quick and easy recovery. I wasn't totally right about that assessment... I have a follow-up appointment on 5/3 so I'll talk with my doctor then, but my new plan is for Sunday 5/7. I have an office job that doesn't have any real physical demands, but I'm still in a good amount of pain and struggling to get enough food and liquid in any given day. Sometimes the thought of needing to eat or drink makes me a little queasy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have an office job and took 2.5 weeks off. The first few days back were a little rough due to fatigue.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was sleeved April 4 and I just went back to working at home for a week and am allowed to work in ththe office next week. I took short term disability and it is worth it because I feel like I have a better understanding of food I can and can not eat.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

5 days later


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a teacher and went back after two weeks, but that was a mistake. I should have taken at least three weeks. I ended up having to take a day off mid week because it was just too much. Looking at the big picture now, I should've just taken the third week and healed some more.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I waited 5 weeks and only because my job was pressuring me, I would have taken the extra week as my doctor recommended 6. The first 4 weeks were hard and the fatigue got the best of me. You need some time to get used to your diet. Take as much time as you can afford.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm confused... my doctor said he will recommend a week but I could go back in a couple of days if I felt up to it. Friends who had the wls done said they were aoK the next day. ... is this something other than the sleeve we're talking about?


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

    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Onedayatatime365

      Looking to connect with others who are also on the journey of better health. Post-Op Gastric Sleeve (4/11/24).
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • jparadigm

      Happy Wednesday!
       
      I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far! 
      It's been a bit of a struggle this last week...I'm hungry ALL the time.
      · 1 reply
      1. BlondePatriotInCDA

        Have a great Wednesday too! Sorry you're hungry all the time, I'm pretty much the same..and I'm sick of eating the same food all the time.

    • ChunkCat

      Well, tomorrow I go in for an impromptu hiatal hernia repair after ending up in the ER over the weekend because I couldn't get food down and water was moving at a trickle... I've been having these symptoms on and off for a few weeks but Sunday was the worst by far and came with chest pain and trouble breathing. The ER PA thinks it is just esophagitis and that the surgeon and radiologist are wrong. But the bariatric surgeon swears it is a hernia, possibly a sliding one based on my symptoms. So he fit me into his schedule this week to repair it! I hope he's right and this sorts it out. He's going to do a scope afterwards to be sure there is nothing wrong with the esophagus. Here's hoping it all goes well!!
      · 4 replies
      1. AmberFL

        omgsh!! Hope all goes well!! Keeping you in my thoughts!

      2. gracesmommy2

        Hope you’re doing well!

      3. NickelChip

        I hope it goes well! Sending positive thoughts for a speedy recovery!

      4. AmberFL

        How are you doing? any update?!

  • 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

    ×