I have been trying to get the lapband for about 5 years and my insurance co. kept turning me down. Husband's co. switched insurace, they approved me my surgery date is March 27, 2009. Before they approved me I started a new job. Have not told them about surgery I'm a PCT at hospital, can't ask for alot of time off work. I'm off for 5 days is that to soon to go back to work? Or what do I tell my job? Only been there 2 weeks?

Everybody seems to heal a little differently, but I would say you have a pretty good chance of making it. I was banded last week on the 18th. I went in for a few hours the next day, and about 4 hours the following day. I spent a lot of time out of the house this weekend and a full day at work today (day 6). Now keep in mind, I haven’t done anything real physical, but I was definitely moving around. If your job involves lifting you need to be careful not open the incisions or the internal stitches.

Hmmm, could you have "emergency" gall bladder surgery?

Here in Australia you get a medical certificate but nobody has the right to know the specific details of your illness, so you could get a certificate that says you are suffering from a medical condition and will not be fit for work for however many days. They dont say what you are suffering from and nobody has the right to demand that information. So you could easily just ring up on the morning and say you're unexpectedly in hospital having your gallbladder removed or passing a kidney stone or whatever and that you wont be able to come back to work until such and such a date.

Dishonest perhaps, but its better than actually asking for time off for a surgery you knew you were going to ahve when you're brand new to a job.

Are you covered under FMLA U.S. Department of Labor - Employment Standards Administration (ESA) - Wage and Hour Division (WHD) - Family and Medical Leave Act

I have used this many times --at differant employers.

But with new jobs it is scary to have to tell your employer.

I had my surg on a Friday and then went back to work not that following Monday but the next. I did the same thing for my gallbladder surgery I just had and I am fine..but everyone is different.

I doubt you would be eligible for FMLA;

"FMLA requires covered employers to provide up to 12weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to ''eligible''employees for certain family and medical reasons.Employees are eligible if they have worked for their employer for at least one year, and for 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months, and if there are at least 50 employees within 75 miles. The FMLA permits employees to take leave on an intermittent basis or to work a reduced schedule under certain circumstances."

http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/posters/fmlaen.pdf

However, many organizations offer medical leave to employees who do not meet FMLA standards. Typically it's unpaid leave approved through the manager of your department. If you were good enough to hire, you should certainly be worth one or two more days off if you need them to recover from surgery.

On the bright side, I work in an emergency department and one of our nurses was back in about 6 days after having the lapband. She said she was fine coming back so soon. Another possibility is to ask for light duty for a day or two to make sure you don't have to lift anything too heavy.

Good luck to you!! You will be a greater asset to the company when you are healthier and happier!:w00t: