Question about returning to a physical job

[sakirby 0]

This is my 1st post ever

Great news!!! I got my surgery date today, my life will officially change on March 17, 2010 at 7:10am. I am extremely excited and confident the lapband is exactly the right tool for me. I feel that I have a good beginners understanding about how it will work and more importantly the changes I need to make to ensure it works. I look forward to my new life ahead and the challenges I am sure it present me.

All that being said my question is this; I have read on here a lot about people who are able to return to work pretty quickly, but it seems that most of them have office jobs or jobs that require very little physically. I work at a steel mill and do a fairly physically demanding job, I would like to hear from people with similarly demanding jobs or at least jobs that you are required to be more active. I mean no disrespect to those who don't have these kind of jobs, but I am trying to figure out what kind of time I am looking at off work and how much I will be able to do when I do go back. I will be off for 7 days after my surgery date but this is a regularly scheduled 7 days off I get every month (pretty cool huh?) I am trying to figure out if I will need to use any short term disability.

Edited February 23, 2010 by sakirby
spelling

[h.landry85 0]

This is my 1st post ever

Great news!!! I got my surgery date today, my life will officially change on March 17, 2010 at 7:10am. I am extremely excited and confident the LAP-BAND® is exactly the right tool for me. I feel that I have a good beginners understanding about how it will work and more importantly the changes I need to make to ensure it works. I look forward to my new life ahead and the challenges I am sure it present me.

All that being said my question is this; I have read on here a lot about people who are able to return to work pretty quickly, but it seems that most of them have office jobs or jobs that require very little physically. I work at a steel mill and do a fairly physically demanding job, I would like to hear from people with similarly demanding jobs or at least jobs that you are required to be more active. I mean no disrespect to those who don't have these kind of jobs, but I am trying to figure out what kind of time I am looking at off work and how much I will be able to do when I do go back. I will be off for 7 days after my surgery date but this is a regularly scheduled 7 days off I get every month (pretty cool huh?) I am trying to figure out if I will need to use any short term disability.

My job isn't nearly as physically demanding as your's may be, but my jobs requires me to lift heavy furniture. I was banded on 2/4 & I'm returning to work on 2/25. My doctor only wants me to lift up to 10 lbs for the next 2 weeks. After those 2 weeks, he's not giving me anymore restrictions. I had to use Short Term Disability for my leave. My work only covered 40 hours, which was my sick pay, so 1 week. Then, Short Term took over from 2/11-2/24. I could have had it longer, if needed, but I can go back to work with a light-duety return.

I hope this helps some! Good luck with your band! It's truly a life changing event!

[FIREFIGHTPRINCESS 0]

I work as an EMT in a very busy Emergancy Room. I had to take three weeks off beacuse my work wouldn't let me come back with any restrictions. I was wanting to go back after 2 weeks, but my doc wanted me to only lift no more than 10lbs for 4 weeks. I was board and wanted to go back sooner so the doc gave in at three weeks. I promised to be a "good girl" and take it easy.....but I was fighting and wrestling with the drunks at week three!!!hehehehe:tongue2:

[Manda87 3]

I'm a CNA at a nursing home. It's funny when people think about old people in a nursing home. I think many people think that there are little old ladies that can't possibly weigh over 100 pounds. WRONG! I have worked with women and men that are over 200 pounds. Also, there are those people that cannot stand and can't possibly help. Because of that, I have taken pretty much a whole month off. However, I have a feeling that it is not enough.

Good luck with your surgery and I hope for a speedy recovery!

[sakirby 0]

Thanks, I have tried explaining to my doctor that I do a pretty physical job but apparently he worked at a steel mill while going to medical school in Pittsburg. Not that he is pushing me but he feels I will be able to go back in a week. I will have my short term disability filed and ready just in case, I do understand that the more you can be active early then the quicker you will recover.