How long after surgery before you went back to work? Was it the right choice, or should you have gone back sooner or waited longer?

I have a desk job for the most part, but do a bit of driving to different offices. I had surgery on Friday and am supposed to back to work this Wed. Today is Monday and I am seriously doubting that i am going to survive a whole day at work on Wednesday.

Please let me know your thoughts...

I went back the day after my surgery. I felt fine, I was tired when I got home but no pain or discomfort.

My surgery was on a Thursday and I was at work on Tuesday. I had a desk job and I was fine. I stop taking pain medicine on Sunday. My abdomen was a little sore but I was fine after a couple of days. As long as you are sitting most of the time, you will be fine.

I had surgery on Tuesday and today is Thursday. I came back to work today, although I was 30 minutes late.

I had surgery on Tuesday, 2/2/10 and I wanted to go back to work on the following Monday, But I was so weak and tired, so I went back to work for a few hours that Tuesday for 3 hours and than we had a big snow Strom in NY, and my office had closed for 2 days. Than I worked for 4 hours that Friday. I returned to work full time this past Monday just about the 2 weeks mark and what a difference a week makes I felt much better.r

I had surgery on 12.12.2010, a Friday. Monday was a holiday, so I went back to work on Tuesday. I was tired by the time I got home and went to bed early, but my co-workers don't even know. It was no problem at all. Of course everyone is different.

Wow. I guess I am a wimp too. I took 4 weeks. I had over 600 hours of sick time banked. I figured why not. I feel great after 3 weeks and could possibly go in, but never again will I be able rest recuperate and feel great. I work nights and for the first time in years I'm not walking around in a sleep deprived haze.

For you iron men/women my hats off to you. I'm going to just take my time.

I had surgery on Tuesday, I'm going back to work on the following Wednesday, so 6 days off. Honestly, I wish it was more.

I took 4 weeks off but could have gone back after 1 week. I wanted to stay out until my 1st fill just to be sure it went ok and my doc agreed so I just used my short term disability coverage and got 100% pay

This thread was really helpful to me. I haven't been banded yet, but am awaiting my surgery date! I have been trying to plan how much time I need to take off work, and it sounds like I'm just going to have to listen to my body! Thanks for the posts.

Like some of the people who replied to this thread, I too have a great paid time off policy at work so I took a full four weeks off. For me, I probably could have returned to work sooner but I really wanted to get acclimated with the new way of eating (mushy foods, protein shakes) without the scrutiny from co-workers. I am returning to work tomorrow and on Wednesday I can start regular foods again. :thumbup:

my surgery was 7/21/10, I went back to work Aug. 2nd...I could of went back sooner but the days off was much needed...my job doesn't consist of a lot of lifting, bending, or turning so I was fine...

I think its important that you realize that although you may physically be able to go back to work, are you mentally able to do so? With me, I was physically able to go back within 10 days of my surgery. But I chose to stay out a few weeks longer because I really wanted to make sure I was mentally ready for the challenges that I may face at work, and that is to be around so much food. I work in a department, where we constantly receive cakes, cookies, pies, etc..as tokens of appreciation. Being banded is a life altering experience and I really feel that you should take as much time as possibly can before you transition back to work.

I am 4 days out and started back at work today. (Banded Friday, back to work Tuesday). I felt good going into work in the morning, but was really tired (and grumpy) by the end of the day. I didn't take any painkillers all day. My abdomen hurt more and more as the day went on from sitting so much, and it got harder to get up each time. I didn't have the luxury of laying down whenever I wanted like I do at home!

My job is mainly a desk job with some travelling, but I can take it easy at work when I need to, and do everything on my own schedule. I told everyone I had hiatal hernia surgery (which is 1/2 true) so everyone understood when I moved slower and had lower energy today.

I think for people trying to keep everything a "secret" you may need longer to recover, cuz I definately wasn't 100% at work today and everyone noticed.

I had surgery Friday and went back today. MISTAKE. I would highly suggest people taking off a couple more days if possible just in case.

I'm getting banded on 9/29 (so excited) and i'm taking 3 weeks off. My job requires the unexpected (kneling, sitting, walking, getting up and down, helping people and if needed running like hell) so i want to make sure im FULLY healed before going back to work. I have the time and I'm able to take it off, so why not :biggrin: