How long were you guys really out of work? i took off 7 working days, but will I really need that many days? how many days were you guys down?

This if difficult to answer/compare. There are to many variables:

1. Type of surgery

2. How over weight someone is,

3. How surgery went

4. Type of job/work you have

5. How quick to recover

6. Pain management

I say all this because it's different for each of us. I did well with surgery and was out the next day, very little surgery pain BUT my entire abdomen was a solid black bruise, so putting a seatbelt on to drive was impossible and it became only painful when I drove. My bruising lasted 45 days!

I have two friends who had WLS, one went back in 2 weeks (the earliest her doctor would release her to go back) and another 7 days (although she said she wished she'd taken longer off - she was exhausted, sore and constipated). So, there's really no way to tell until you have surgery.

If you have the days to take, take them. I am self-employed and work from home. There were certain things I had to do within a couple days of getting home because nobody else could do them, but it was a struggle. I was sore and exhausted. I'm three weeks out and doing a lot better but I still get very tired midday. It would have been great to have at least a full week to two weeks to recover. Also, figuring out what to eat and when to drink and all that really takes up most of your brain for a while.

40 minutes ago, NickelChip said:

If you have the days to take, take them. I am self-employed and work from home. There were certain things I had to do within a couple days of getting home because nobody else could do them, but it was a struggle. I was sore and exhausted. I'm three weeks out and doing a lot better but I still get very tired midday. It would have been great to have at least a full week to two weeks to recover. Also, figuring out what to eat and when to drink and all that really takes up most of your brain for a while.

I agree, the drinking and eating is time consuming. Take at least a week. Take what you can, you'll be glad you did. Remember its a major surgery either removing a portion of an organ or restructuring your digestive tract - either way its a serious surgery.

Edited March 14, 20242 yr by BlondePatriotInCDA

We all heal & recover differently & it is a pretty major surgery. Plus you’re on a restricted diet to begin, have restricted movement & how much weight you can carry, low in energy, & can get weary quickly. A friend was back at her job after a week - easy. Another took three weeks off & said she needed all of them. I did 4 weeks, returned part time but it wasn’t easy - weak, lots of drops of blood pressure, doughy headed. We all worked in offices.

Best advice is negotiate with your employers in case you do need extra time. Or return with reduced hours. You won’t actually know until it happens.

All the best with your surgery.

My doctor originally wanted me to take 6 weeks. I I've been out 9 weeks so far and counting. I have had a lot of complications and am about to have a feeding tube placed so it's not a common result at all

I took three weeks off but could have gone back after two. I know a few people who were back at work after a week, though. If you have a desk job, unless you're having a hard time recovering, you'll probably be able to go back earlier than someone who has a really active job, so yes, the type of job is a factor..

I took off 6 weeks but I'm a nurse who has a pretty physical job at moments. I also had my second granddaughter due during my 5th week off so I chose to take 6 weeks so I could enjoy a week of baby cuddles ❤️ Honestly, I had zero complications and very minimal pain with my bypass. Was driving and doing most things without trouble, albeit a bit slower, within the first 3 days. I would suggest take as much time as you can and elect to go back sooner based with how you feel. If you can afford and allow yourself the extra time, just enjoy it and get super familiar with your new you and your new routines. Good luck!!

19 hours ago, KortGBP said:

How long were you guys really out of work? i took off 7 working days, but will I really need that many days? how many days were you guys down?

My doctor wrote me off work for 2.5 weeks - 2 weeks out, I'm fine, and after the first week, I probably could have (a bit miserably) gone back to work, but I think I really needed that first week off. Even though I had minimal pain, some days I just needed to sleep.

Your body is going through a lot! Treat it well ❤️

10 hours ago, lark188613@comcast.net said:

My doctor originally wanted me to take 6 weeks. I I've been out 9 weeks so far and counting. I have had a lot of complications and am about to have a feeding tube placed so it's not a common result at all

a feeding tube!? im so sorry thats scary.

I had the sleeve and work at a desk job, I took 3 weeks off and loved every single min! my hubby took the first week off and took the kids to school for me that week. I was so tired from barely eating and recovery. I "could've" gone back after 1 week but I enjoyed the time off, as I was paid for it anyways.

Honestly can't remember but I think I had 2 weeks off but wish I had taken more. I know everyone is different. I had no complications at all but a lot of pain from my incisions, especially the big one, and trouble sleeping because of pain in all positions. I did manage my work after 2 weeks but it was a complete slog because I was still sore and tired.

I believe you'll need and appreciate the 7 days off. Although I felt good a couple days after surgery, I was seriously tired and lagging for quite awhile due to lack of calories, body healing... Etc. If you have the option, I would say don't rush it. Most take 2 or 3 weeks if not more since it is a major surgery, and recovering from it is a little different from other major surgeries because you can't really eat (and some can't drink much either right after surgery) so there is that major body adjustment as well.