Hey guys newbie here. My main question would be how can I expect to feel after healing from surgery doing physical work? I’m a construction worker for a natural gas company in NY. Since most machines do the heavy lifting Id like to say 30% to 40% of my job is manual labor, mostly the end of most jobs. (Sweeping, tamping, raking, shoveling dirt or black top etc). With that being said it’s been a major reason why I haven’t moved forward with my decision to have surgery. Since I’m not a fixed operator I’m on my feet most of my day and always on the move. My concern is the lack of nutrients mixed with the physically demanding work.

Edited April 21, 20197 yr by KlasickDad

You wouldn't be able to lift more than 10 pounds for six weeks post-op. Sometimes you might get lightheaded but with increased salt intake you'll fix that. You could to back to work within two weeks but you'll be tired.

You should not be lacking nutrients at any point in time after about 2 weeks post op. As long as you follow your surgeons plan laid out for you and keep up with water, protein and required supplements you should not have a problem at all. Your surgeon will follow up with you every 6 months at first then once a year. They will do blood work to look at your vitamin and nutrient levels. Keep up with what you are supposed to be doing and you will be fine. Not to mention that you will feel so much better once the weight starts dropping.

I would say you would need 4 weeks to feel your best. Jmo

I am almost at two weeks, and my doc says max I can lift is 15 pounds. I try to walk at least 3 miles a day, but in general, I am just more tired than average. I fell asleep at 830pm last night. I think at least 3-5 weeks post op - everyone is different.

A physical job has way different demands than a desk job. I have a job where I am on my feet all day and have managed to secure 2.5 weeks off - that's also why I keep trying to push myself each day (number of hours on my feet).

Plus, you will have to consume fluids every 15 minutes, I'm not sure how I am going to swing that, but I am sure I will - just like everyone else late next week.

Best of luck to you. I hope you heal up super quick.

You will be restricted in the amount of weight that you can lift. I was speaking to a friend the other day who hd WLS two weeks ago. He lifted a bag of groceries and immediately regretted it. He said that he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. You will in all probability be on only liquids for the first two weeks. If so you have to monitor your fluid intake and get the proper amount of fluids.

If you need to go to work you should plan for the time you will be at work and have your liquids/foods at hand. Most of all you should have a strategy to get through the day physically so that you don't cause harm to yourself. If at all possible, take the time off from work to heal properly.