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I read if you have a desk job (I do) then you only need a week off. If you have a more physical job, then 2-4 weeks might be necessary. I'm taking a week off (saved up my pto days).

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I was back to work in a week more or less. I will say that the first 2-3 weeks I was REALLY tired and an afternoon nap was very helpful.

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I took 3 weeks off and I was glad I did - the pain really disturbed my sleep for a couple of weeks and even in the third week I was still really fatigued, and spending all day trying to reach my Fluid intake goal! I could have gone back after 2 weeks but I think it would have been really pushing it for me to go back after one.

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I had a rough ride early on and can honestly say that I could not go back to a desk job till 8 weeks. However I am only one of a tiny percentage who dont do well for a while after surgery.

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I had a desk job. I took three weeks off but could have gone back after two. I had very little pain with this surgery, and no other issues, but I was pretty tired for awhile (that actually lasted a month or more, but of course, it gets better and better every day). I suppose if I had to I could have gone back after one week, but I appreciated the time at home to sleep and also get used to the food progression. I would say two weeks is fine for most people who have desk jobs - but some may be able to swing it after one if they absolutely have to.

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True, you could do a desk job after a week but a more physically demanding job would take several weeks because of the 10 lb weight lifting restriction and the bending over repeatedly.

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I wanted to take off more but my boss wouldn't OK more than a week and my surgeon said I shouldn't need more than that, so I couldn't get anything from him saying I needed more time.

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I had 6 months of sick time accrued, so I took 6 weeks. I really wanted to spend that time working on changing habits, forming new ones and walking. I really wanted to make sure I was cementing my 'new life' before I introduced another element into the change.

I didn't have any post op complications or issues. I know not everyone has the ability to take so much time off, but I found it really helpful for my emotional well being as well. I didn't know if I'd be super hormonal, in pain, or whatever and I thought healing mentally and physically and only focusing on ME would be beneficial, and it was.

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1 hour ago, Future Sleeve Diva said:

I wanted to take off more but my boss wouldn't OK more than a week and my surgeon said I shouldn't need more than that, so I couldn't get anything from him saying I needed more time.

If you have been with your company for a year or more, I would check into FMLA. My boss is letting me have as much time as I need but to protect me from corporate is having me put in an FMLA case.

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I think the difference also depends on your responsibilities at home. Do you have kids? Are you someone who can let your house go a little and rest while you are at home?? Do you have someone at home that is willing to pick up the slack and take care of you for a while? If you can go to work but then come home and literally just rest and take care of yourself the rest of the night you will probably be able to return to work sooner than someone who has alot of things they have to do at home as well.

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My surgeon told me he wants me off for 10 days. I’m gonna try and get about 14 days off. I am a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse and work 12-14 hr shifts.

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22 minutes ago, Jessica1024 said:

My surgeon told me he wants me off for 10 days. I’m gonna try and get about 14 days off. I am a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse and work 12-14 hr shifts.

Well, the surgeon didn't say "all in a row" ;)

Good luck,

Tek

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4 minutes ago, The Greater Fool said:

Well, the surgeon didn't say "all in a row" ;)

Good luck,

Tek

Lol. I wish I could work it that way ! Hahahah.

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I had some time built up at work from months ago. I am taking a full 2 weeks off and I have a desk job as well. Currently I still work from home for 3 weeks and 1 week in the office a month. I am having surgery and off for the the week in the office. So after the 2 weeks off, Ill have 2 weeks to work at home post op then 1 week in the office the final week of May (since there is 5 weeks). So by the next time I have to go in to work I will be post op 4 weeks. Hopefully that works well for me.

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9 hours ago, summerseeker said:

I had a rough ride early on and can honestly say that I could not go back to a desk job till 8 weeks. However I am only one of a tiny percentage who dont do well for a while after surgery.

I was the same 8 to 9 weeks it was for me for the same reasons. I had a really rough time early on .

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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
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      1. Phil Penn

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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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      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

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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.

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        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.

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