How long should I expect to be off work after banding? I was hoping for 2-3 weeks. I don't want to go back to work on liquids. I am a nurse who works on a very busy unit and don"t always get breaks on a regular schedule.

Im lucky to have off until Jan 5th. I have read people going back to work 5 days afterward surgery. But like you, my job keeps me on my feet all the time! I was banded Wed 18th and even though I feel mentally good, I do have pain at port site (feels like muscle pull) however I get relief when I sit to rest. So, I would not be very good on my feet all day if I was back to work now. I would try to get as much time off as possible.

Very funny you asked this question. I think that 2 weeks would be good maybe even a week. If you are on your feet all the time. The surgery really isn't that bad. Every day gets a bit better. Well I had my surgery on the 18 and I planned on taking untill today off which is 4 days. I work at geico and sit all day so I didn't think that would be a problem. However I woke up today and couldn't imagine going to work for 12 hours answering the phones. So I called in. I do have to go tomorrow and wednesday but then I have 3 more days off.

Yikes! Maybe I underestimated the procedure. I will be banded (hopefully) on the 31st. (I say hopefully because the liquid pre-op is killing me. Its all I can not to take a bite of something. I hope my liver does not give me problems). Anyway, because of the holiday, and the fools on the road here in Florida on New Years, I convinced my dr. to admit me for the night, I check out on the 1st. then I planned to go back to work by the 2nd. Is that an unrealistic goal? I'm not worried about the eating, I can drink all day..but will I be in pain? discomfort? I work at a school district office and most employees will be out until the 5th. It will just be my secretary and myself at my desk all day. I was hoping to sit in my office at my desk with the door closed. Is that a possibility?

~jackie~

u shouldnt go back the next day-u really need at least a week.

I went back after a week and a half. I should have taken the full two weeks but did'nt want work to pile up. I'd say if you have to be on your feet for 12 hours plan on two weeks plus. Keep in mind you will be on 10 lbs restriction for 6 weeks so if you can't go back to light duty then it will be longer before you can return.

My doctor has told me that as long as the work doesn't involve heavy lifting, we could have the surgery on a Wednesday and be back at work on a Monday. That would be 5 days off total. This is what I'm planning on doing.

What's the recovery? Are you in pain? Or is it the inconveinece of the liquid diet? It seems as it is a case by case basis. Some will recuperate more than others faster and your line of work. If I can sit all day, or walk if I need to, work might not be too bad?

I was banded on the 10th and went back to work on the 15th. I'm a Xerox sales agent but I kept my schedule light. Wish I would have taken more time off, but I didn't want things to pile up. Hope that helps.

I didn't go back to work on liquids either. I took two weeks off. On my first day back to work I felt awesome and still do! Two weeks was just the right amount of time off for me.

Im an RN in a busy unit was going to go back after 10 days md told me to take 3 weeks , so Iam , that way get 2 weeks state disability and will be on soft diet when I go back. Was banded a week ago 12/15 and feeling ok now not on narcotic pain med anymore. So I think for a nurse 2-3 weeks is probably right

I can't imagine going back to work after one day. I was in pain until about the 5th day. I tried to go back to work after 2 weeks off and my Boss made me go home because my note from the DR had restrictions. I was mad and felt good enough to go back to work but had to take another 5 days off before my DR would release me with NO restrictions. I also work in a hospital as a Respiratory Therapist.

Edited December 23, 200817 yr by rikye1

I was out for two weeks. The whole first week I was in a lot of pain and then made the turn in the second week, but was really tired. I was still pretty tired when I went back and glad I took the two weeks!

Hi Kathi!

I was just banded on the 22nd. I work for the Fed Gov't and have about 15 wks of sick leave accumulated. ( I've been there almost 20 years, and very rarely use much time) I also work part time for a printing company, which requires standing and doing a lot of heavy lifting of boxes of paper. I know I won't be able to work there for 2 months, due to the weight restriction. I was hoping to take about 3 weeks off from the Govt.

Also, I ended up having 3 procedures done...the band, had my gallbladder removed, and repaired a hiatal hernia ( that I didn't know I had). So..with the added procedures, I am waiting for my first post-op visit to discuss with him my return to work date. I don't really want to go back to work while still on all liquids. I am very busy, and often don't get my scheduled breaks in, so, I don't see a lot of opportunity to sit around doing a lot of sip, sip, sipping...if you know what I mean.

By the way, Kathi..you're not to far from me...Fayetteville is about 20 mins from me in Hagerstown!

Good Luck!

Di :thumbup:

I took more time off due to traveling to and from Mexico then I actually needed for the surgery and recovery. I was off of work Thursday, Friday, and the following Monday. I had to fly over to Mexico on Thursday, had surgery on Friday, and then flew back on Sunday. Took Monday off mainly to recover from getting in at 11:30pm the night before. I was back at work on Tuesday. Really I think 2 or 3 weeks turns this into a vacation and not really recovery. On Friday it will have been 3 weeks since my surgery and I am doing fine. BUT, I have a desk job so it's not very physically demanding. The surgeon had told me no lift over 15 lbs for 3 weeks after surgery so you should take that into consideration with your nursing job depending on what part of nursing you are in. Best of luck!

I know some people said they can go back within a few days, but I needed all the time I could get! I had surgery on the 18th and was back at school the 28th.

I had 10 days before I had to be at work, and I was on a sort of "light duty" in that it was just meetings and things (I'm a teacher) and school hadn't started. It was STILL hard for me and I could have used more time!!

Turns out I had an infection and that was part of the problem- hopefully that won't happen to you!