I’m actually starting a new job after my surgery, which will require me to pull and lift. I have told them I need a month to recover. How long was it until you were able to get back to normal?

it depends- what surgery are you having? and how much will you be lifting?

I had a VSG and was back to work in a 4 days (though I was pretty tired for a week or so after that) and I avoided lifting anything more than 10 lbs for several more weeks. I was pretty surprised how fast I felt good and how easy the recovery was, almost to the point that I felt guilty for laying around and not doing anything productive right after.

The most important thing is that you follow your doctors instructions, as none of us here are qualified to make those recommendations (at least not me). Start walking as soon as you are able and keep walking as much as you can. You'll feel better and it will help with the gas after surgery.

I will agree with @billho but I know that I was told not to lift anything greater than 10 lbs for 4 weeks, so I have told my boss I won't be able to travel for work for 4 weeks (since I won't be able to lift my suitcase). Otherwise, I work from home and can usually take breaks when I need to but I'm still taking two weeks off because I can and I'm worried about making mistakes if I'm too tired. If I were starting a new job, I'd take more time off because I'd want to be at peak performance to make a good impression, but that's just me.