Hi

I am having my band fitted in October and have been able to arrange only 4 days off work following surgery.........I will organise a quiet week following surgery (I am a teacher so no heavy lifting etc) am interested in how quick people have managed to get back to work..........and any suggestions would be wonderful.

Sooooo Excited

xxx :frown:

I had surgery on Thursday and went back to work the following Tuesday. I would have loved to have been off a week, even a bit more if possible as I didn't start feeling like myself for a good two weeks. I did it...but it wasn't pleasant...I took naps on my lunch hour and just felt like crap! But I also had a hernia repair also so I don't know if that made a difference or not. I do remember the day of surgery being home and thinking, WOW, this isn't bad at all, doesn't hurt one bit...yeah then the next day came and bam it hit. I had bad gas pains in my shoulder so be aware if that happens it is completly normal. Good luck with your surgery and I'm sure you'll do fine and forget about it after a while like I have. I love my band!

I was banded on June 15th and went back to work on June 23rd. Although I have a sit down job in an office so I really didn't feel tired, the only thing I was instructed was to not lift anything heavy. My doctor told me I would probably be tired during the day and might not be able to work a full day, but I really didn't have any problems with that. I could have gone back on the 22nd, but I had a follow up with the surgeon that day and it was an hour drive each way so decided to just take that day off.

I had surgery 9/28 thurs and am back to work today, I feel a little sore but for a desk job I can handle it. I wouldn't do any lifting though. Try and take it easy!

I had my surgery on August 28th and I'm not going back to work until the 4th.

I work at Starbucks and its a pretty fast paced environment. I can tell I would be okay to work at a desk but standing on my feet for 7 hours while serving spoiled customers definitely doesn't sound too good to me yet. :frown:

And as said above the gas pains are really the worst.

I had mine done on Friday afternoon on Aug. 21st and worked ten hours on Tuesday Aug. 25th...

I work in HR so I have a sit down job but my office is on the 26th floor, there are stairs everywhere (parking garage, lobby, etc.). I'm not going to say it was fun going back that early but I had to because of my work schedule and it was doable. If you have more time, then I'd take it but really Tuesday was my only 'omg I don't know if I'll make it through the day' type of day. Every day got easier.

I made sure to go to bed early and rest as soon as I got home.

OH and as a side note I did not tell my co-workers or boss and I was walking around so slow when I came back and had such a swollen belly that one male co-worker said, "hey, do you have another bun in the oven? Your walking kind of weird." :frown:

Barley: I'm 45 and I was banded on 8/24 and I'm still at home. I could be at work today, but I'm not going back until 9/8!! Right now, I'm doing pretty much what I would be doing if I were at work. Sitting at a desk, typing, etc.

I think that there are variables as to how long it takes someone to be ready to get back to work. Age is one. Younger people generally heal faster. General fitness level is another -- if you engage in some kind of physical activity prior to your surgery, you will heal faster and better. I started riding a bike about 2 months prior to surgery and got to where I was riding an hour or two, 3 times a week. I'm sure that has helped me. Some diseases cause slower healing, too. Uncontrolled diabetes, for instance. But the fact that you will be able to control how much you have to do once you get back to work is a plus for you, I think. Best of luck and it'll be great!!

ThreeBoys3: I bet an HR person can't admit to this, but didn't you just want to kick that guy?!? :frown:

I was banded on Wednesday July 29, 2009 and I went back to work on Monday August 3, 2009. I have a sit down job at a desk so it was ok. I was tired but I just made sure I rested the whole time I was home. You will be ok but make sure you don't lift stuff!

ThreeBoys3: I bet an HR person can't admit to this, but didn't you just want to kick that guy?!?

Oh yeah! I did just have a baby five months ago so I guess I didn't take too much offense to it. And hey, I DID look pregnant with the swelling. Oh and I'm still wearing my maternity shirts so that doesn't help... :frown:

I was banded on Aug 5th and was back to work Aug 10th. I work with special ed children, which can be physical at times, but thank goodness it was fine. On AUg 12th I walked 3 miles with out any problems. But everyone heals differently. Good luck!

I was banded on a Thursday and went back to work the next Monday (meaning more then a week later)

I have a sit-down job but to be completely honest, I took advantage of the doctors note and took off all the time I was allowed. The first two days I was not a happy camper but the rest of the time was basically vacation.

Looking back, I could've gone back the following Tuesday no problem.

I was banded on Aug 25th which was a Tues and I returned to work that Fri...no problems. My surgeon agreed with me returning so soon. I am a medical receptionist so I sit most of the day and hardly carry anything heavier that a patient's chart. i guess it all depends on the type of job you have and your daily activities. People thought I was crazy to return so fast, but the truth is that by the third day most of the gas that is cousing you to be uncomfortable has passed and your fine. The only thing that was discomforting to me was getting in and out of the chair when I returned to work. After the weekend I was absolutely fine. You may run into some issues with standing and walking for long periods of time but you should be ok besides that. Good luck:thumbup:

I was banded on Wednesday, July 22 and was back to my desk job on Monday, July 27. I did have a month of medical leave from my duties as a voluteer EMT.

Like others have said, it really depends on the person. Some people need a little more time than others.

I took a week and a day off, returning just this Tuesday. When making the time off request my boss, who has had his own surgical issues, suggested assuming that I'd be half days for a little while after that.

I dismissed his suggestion, but it's turning I'm needing the half days this week. I usually get to around midday, and am completely exhausted. I come home, and pass out for a few hours, and I only have a desk job.

Thank you so much for all of your replies........I feel more confident about returning to work quickly..... I wish all of you continued success and look forward to following your triumphs x