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It depends on your job, available time, and general health. I went back after five days but I have a desk job and work mainly from home. I had very little pain. You won't be able to lift anything. But it's still major surgery and you'll be adjusting to a new way of living. Also I was very tired the first month. That's very common due to the anesthesia. You likely won't need more than two weeks at max. Many people take only 1 week.


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I wish I had taken 2 weeks off. The stage of only liquids was low energy for me. I was off for a week and not ready at one week to go back.


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How much time should you request off after having the sleeve done.



It sounds excessive but I’m taking 6 weeks. I have a very fast-paced, stressful job and while physical recovery is supposed to be short, I’m worried about the mental aspect and getting all of my fluids/protein in. I will be able to go back sooner if I feel up to it. I’m very fortunate to have PTO and long term disability (with pay) to use. I think it definitely depends on your job, your ability to take time, and what you think you’ll be able to handle. Good luck!


HW & CW: 251
GW: 145
Height: 5’3
Age: 31
Blog: https://fearlessagentofchange.wordpress.com

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I wanted to take 6 weeks, but HR would only do 4, which was actually fine because by week 4 I was going stir crazy. My therapist encouraged me to take longer than 2 weeks because by week 2 I'd be barely out of liquids and having to be at work while dealing with that would have been horrible and then also trying to focus on getting in Water. My job has me walking and on my feet nearly the entire day too, so it was just better for me to take time off.

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I had 2 weeks off - I could have defiantly gone back after a week, was so ready to return. I have a desk job


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I went back into the office after 8 days, but have a desk job and can work at home if I want. The hardest part I found was remembering to get the liquids in. I think 2 weeks is good for non physical jobs

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im taking 6 wks-- i have a desk job but i feel if my job offers the time and knowing my self i need the time to adjust to my new life-

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In total, I will have three weeks off. I am a teacher, and my surgery coincided with Winter Break, so I only needed to request one week with sub coverage and leave time.


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I was off for one week. I survived but if I had it to do over I would take two. I have a desk job so I was seated most of the day but I was very tired.

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My surgeon recommended two weeks, but ok’d 1 week off and 1 week of working from home.

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I took four weeks off and wish I’d had the six which was recommended.

I was so knackered but then I’d done 18 days of pre op Protein Drinks then had the surgery and stuck to the surgeons plan of liquids for three weeks, then purée for two etc etc. So no wonder I was exhausted.

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I'm not even at 6 weeks and can't imagine still being off. I'm 99% back to normal and have been for weeks. I didn't have such a prolonged liquid phase, though. I don't think I'd have the energy to work on an extended liquid diet, regardless of whether I had had surgery!


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I just had the surgery last Friday and I'm considering going back to my desk job tomorrow (Thurs) for at least a half day. Not trying to brag, but the facts are I'm feeling great. I just flew half the day today and walked the airport terminal changes and drove around when I got home. I'll be back to work full time next Monday for sure. I had cleared working from home for two weeks but no way I'll need it. Everyone's different and your milage may vary.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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