Hello everyone. I've been looking at this site for a while and finally decided to join. I have my 1st appointment on 08/12 with Dr.Horgan in chicago. I'm soooo excited!!!! I'm ready to get this ball rollin. However, I wanted to know from everyone, how long did you all take off work, so that I can get an idea of long I'll need to take off........Thanks

Oh by the way, I'm an underwriter, so I sit at a desk all day........

Welcome! I go back to work tomorrow morning. I work as a Direct Support Professional (similiar to a nurse aide) and there is lifting and lots of physical activity involved. I am still on restriction for another week (nothing over 20lbs). I had surgery July 29th. I know some people only take two or three days, but I am SO glad I took ten days. It just depends on you and what you do for a living.

Hey there Felicia...

I took a week off. I had surgery on a Wednesday...And went back to work on Monday and it was just too much for me. I ended up taking the rest of the week off and did NOTHING but rested. My mom helped me with my son. Then I went back to work that following Monday.....soo all in all, 8 days. Everyone is different though. I had a bad reaction to the anestesia and I was taking in very little calories. I was light headed and dizzy, very little strength...soo It was safer and smarter for me to stay home. There have been people who have taken off way less time, but my Dad was gonna come up from Florida and choke me if I tried to go back to work after that first Monday!! He told me I HAD TO STAY HOME cause I sounded like sh*t ~ Sometimes they know best

Okay...GOOD LUCK TO YOU

TTYL

In total I took off eight work days (one of those days was the Fourth of July). I'm kind of a wimpy girl when it comes to pain, so I needed that time. I'm very glad I did, I took like three hour naps every day, I was VERY exhausted. It's important for healing to make sure you feel strong. Even after a week and a half off, I was still pretty weak and woozy on my first day back on the job (seated work).

I was just banded by Dr. Horgan on the 28th of July and this is what the paper work from him says:

*You may return to work in 7-10 days depending on the type of work you do.Discuss this with the surgeon or Nurse BEFORE the date of your surgeryu (bring any nessary paperwork to the pre0oprative appointment for completion) The surgeon will confirm your return to work at your first post-operative clinic visit.

*You may not lift anything over 15 pounds for a period of 4 four weeks, you may wish to return to work with restrictions if this is available to you. Be careful if you have small children, you will not be able to bend down and pick them up for 4 weeks.

* you may drive again in 7-10 days, driving is not encouraged if you are taking narcotic pain medication.

I am 10 days post op and could go back to a sit down job as long as I could wear elastic waist band pants and could stand and walk once an hour or so. And as long as I could have something to drink at my desk at all times, it is tough to get in 64 oz a day without constantly drinking. ~Mandy