When can I go back to work- realistically?

[elle8106 0]

I'm new here and the whole process has gone REALLY fast for me. I went to a seminar in Dec. and am having lapband Feb 27. I was trying to get in before my husband deploys and his date got moved up a bit. They got me in really quick.

One of my biggest concerns right now is going back to work. I started my job 6 months ago and have 40 hours sick time. I was scheduled for a class on Thurs March 6 (day 6 post op) and a co-worker who had it a couple months ago suggested I cancel the class. She said she took 2 full weeks off. I don't think I'll need that much (and I don't have it anyway!). My job is VERY sedentary and the hardest thing I do is lift my backpack and carry my purse and lunch in to work.

Thanks for any advice!

[allielee 263]

Congrats on your date. My birthday is the day before! :tt2: My hubby just retired from the navy last year, and boy do i NOT miss deployments!

I took 5 days off and was fine! I thought I would be back to work within 3 days but needed the extra two. I think you should be fine, definetly don't need 2 weeks off!

where are you stationed? We live in Gales Ferry, CT.. next to rotten groton. lol

[DanaM 0]

Sorry to hear about your hubby. All I took off was 5 days and that was great. You could take less than that if you have a desk job. Good luck!

[MustangGirlRN 0]

I think taking a class should be fine for you. It doesn't sound much different than sitting at home recovering would be. Your pain should be minimal by then, and tylenol would probably cover it. Make sure you take frequent breaks to get up and walk around. Be sure to keep fluids going in too.:tt2:

One of the nurses I work with came back to work within a week and said she felt fine, (she really didn't look fine). I wouldn't recommend that for a job as physically stressing as hers, but I guess it can be done.

I decided to baby myself and took three weeks off. I was mostly concerned that I would have to emergently grab a patient and go to the trauma/resuscitation bay, or have to do CPR. I would have been fine sitting in a class or at a desk. I would stress that you ask your surgeon for the final answer, they all seem to have different opinions on what is ok. :tt2:

[azairforcewife 1]

hi , I'm six days post op and i am fine to go back to work.I think as long as your up moving the first few days your fine. I am a hair stylist and booked my self all day and feeling ok. good luck!! ginnie

[tiffanye 0]

I had surgery on a Wednesday and I was back to work on Monday. I am also a stylist and on my feet all day so I would say if you are sitting you will be fine to just take a few days off.

[kdlee 0]

Hi. I take it your husband is in the service? If so, tell him thanks for serving to protect us! Congrats on your date. My husband and I both had the surgery done. I took 2 weeks off, just because I could. He took one week off work and did fine going back. You will be sore and very tired that first 1-2 weeks back. Just take it slow, follow your eating plan exactly as your Dr. tells you, get plenty of sleep and you'll be ok. Good luck!

[adamsmom 4]

you should be able to return ro work in a week easily. I took a week and a half off and didn't need that much time. The extra time is nice for giving yourself time to adjust to a new way of eating. Youw ill still be on fluids or just starting mushies and that can be a challenge at first.

[TQUAD64 9]

One of my biggest concerns right now is going back to work. I started my job 6 months ago and have 40 hours sick time. I was scheduled for a class on Thurs March 6 (day 6 post op) and a co-worker who had it a couple months ago suggested I cancel the class. She said she took 2 full weeks off. I don't think I'll need that much (and I don't have it anyway!). My job is VERY sedentary and the hardest thing I do is lift my backpack and carry my purse and lunch in to work.

Thanks for any advice!

If your going to utilize sick leave, you will have to bring a note from your doctor releasing you back to work for your employer. Most employers have an administrative policy in which three days sick or more requires a doctor's note to return to work. If that is the case with your employer, then really you need to talk to your doctor to determine when he/she will release you back to work.

You might want to consider the possibility of complications as well. You just never know what might happen. I ended up staying in the hospital for 2.5 days, because of some complications.

I felt great on day 7-post-op. I was sore and moving slow, but I felt so much better on that day. That also happened to be the day my doctor released me to start driving again.

I took two weeks vacation time off rather than sick time, because I did not want anyone at work to know I was having surgery.:tt2:

Good luck and I hope all goes well for you!