Is one week off work enough?

[Samantha1324 23]

I am planning for when I have the VSG surgery and am wondering if one week is enough time off of work. I have a 9-5 desk job so it is not the pain I am worried about. But more the emotional toll of being on a liquid only diet and

How long did you take before going back to work?

[hwequestrian 38]

I haven’t had my surgery, but my mom had her sleeve on a Thursday, had a visit with surgeon on Friday, then went back to work the following Monday. I’m sure it depends from person to person, but the surgeon at my clinic’s seminar said the average person takes a week off.

[hwequestrian 38]

BTW she struggled with being at home alone on the liquid diet. I guess going back to work took her mind off of it some. She worked an office job at the time as well.

[MusicalKate13 241]

Im a teacher that takes 10k steps just during the day and rarely sit down. I also play instruments for my job and teahc middle school. I planned around the school calendar, but I really needed a full 2 weeks to be ready fir work. After 1 week I was still bloated, gingerly moving, and exhausted.

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[k.love 14]

I am planning for when I have the VSG surgery and am wondering if one week is enough time off of work. I have a 9-5 desk job so it is not the pain I am worried about. But more the emotional toll of being on a liquid only diet and

How long did you take before going back to work?

Most things didn't bother me but doing too much of something can cause discomfort. Even moving around too much. Such as showering or trying on a few clothes while getting dressed. Nothing 10 or 15 min of rest didn't take care of

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[Kpenkalski 4]

I think everyone is a little different. I was planning on two weeks but I had my first post op check up today and the decision was made to keep me out of work for at least 3 more weeks. I have high blood pressure and am on medication for it and my blood pressure has not been stable since the surgery so they don’t want me driving or working until it becomes more stable.

[ReshapingRenae 11]

I went into the office 3 days post op for just a couple hours to check email and make sure nothing was going crazy. Then 1 week post op I worked half days, 2 weeks post op I worked 6 hour days, the plan was to work full days three weeks post op, but got an ulcer and was unable to keep anything down. It depends solely on the type of work you do. I wasn’t sore, but getting fluids in has been practically a full time job for me and if I am distracted by work, I won’t drink like I should. If you can work short days I recommend it. It allowed me to not go stir crazy at home, not use a ton of PTO, etc

[J@Alabama 44]

I had surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on Monday. I have a desk job and I made it ok.

[Matt Z 4,138]

8 hours ago, Samantha1324 said:

I am planning for when I have the VSG surgery and am wondering if one week is enough time off of work. I have a 9-5 desk job so it is not the pain I am worried about. But more the emotional toll of being on a liquid only diet and

How long did you take before going back to work?

I would not recommend only a week off. For so many reasons.

I took 2 full months off for my lap band, and 2 full months off for my revision to bypass. VERY glad I did!

Edited October 26, 2018 by Matt Z

[Oct517 527]

I am planning for when I have the VSG surgery and am wondering if one week is enough time off of work. I have a 9-5 desk job so it is not the pain I am worried about. But more the emotional toll of being on a liquid only diet and

How long did you take before going back to work?

I took 2 weeks off which was more than enough. After about a week and a half, I was good to go. I even took a 2 hour trip down to see my family during that second week where they were eating McDonalds in front of my face. It was sucky but manageable. Personally I didnt have much of an appetite anyways until about 3 weeks out (now).

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[MargoCL 677]

9 hours ago, Samantha1324 said:

I am planning for when I have the VSG surgery and am wondering if one week is enough time off of work. I have a 9-5 desk job so it is not the pain I am worried about. But more the emotional toll of being on a liquid only diet and

How long did you take before going back to work?

I had my surgery back in August (8/20) and like you, I have mostly a desk job Mon - Fri 10 hr days. I took a week off and it was fine for me. When I returned the following Monday, I worked shorter days (6 hours vs 8-10 hr days) and that helped me a lot.

Honestly I think a lot of your decision depends on you. How are you with Pain management, Have you had major surgery in the past, how did you handle recovery? For me, I knew I could handle going back within a week because I would go stir-crazy at home. Additionally after having two abdominal myoectomies, I figured VSG would be a walk in the park. (BTW, looking back now, they are nothing alike comparatively)

If you opt to return sooner, my strong suggestion is as soon as possible post surgery, get out of bed and start walking. Transfer yourself from stretcher to bed and take yourself off pain meds as soon as you can (I was restricted from driving as long as I was on pain medication - hence I stopped all pain meds the minute I left the hospital) Once you start walking / roaming the hospital halls, don't stop - it will help ease the pain and remove excess gas. And sip, sip, sip.

Preplan your meals when you return to work, I packed homemade broths and prepackaged shakes. It was easier to drink at my desk, though I did take lunch breaks a couple of times that first week. By week two post op, I was almost back to normal and it never felt like I took time off from work.

[CrankyMagpie 509]

I took about two weeks and was glad I did. Even now, three weeks and a couple of days out, I still end up randomly really tired.

[FancyChristine15 810]

I work a desk job also, and I needed about a week and a half. Like you mentioned, the pain wasn't really the issue; I was just exhausted. It takes a little bit for your body to adjust to the small amount of nutrients you're getting right after surgery. I would take 2 weeks off, if you can.

[CyndieRI 251]

I also have a desk job. I’m taking 4 weeks off - but definitely could have gone back in a week. I think working would make the liquid diet easier since you would be busy and your mind would be occupied. Good luck whatever you decide!

[Chrissy C 51]

I am planning for when I have the VSG surgery and am wondering if one week is enough time off of work. I have a 9-5 desk job so it is not the pain I am worried about. But more the emotional toll of being on a liquid only diet and

How long did you take before going back to work?

I am having VSG on 10/29. My doctor want me to return to work on 11/13. I have a desk job as well. He said until I get comfortable with the new change he requires I stay off for 2 weeks

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