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When did you return to work? (please share your experience)



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How many weeks did you take off from work. The doctors and nurses say I should be fine in a week how was your expereince, I'm totally thinking I should take 2-3 weeks off from work. The last thing I want to do is be at work uncomfortable. I had a laparoscopic surgery befor for a cyst in my ovary. I had 2 weeks off and needed that full 2 weeks. I kinda have a low tolerence for pain :)

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I had surgery this past Tuesday. I didn't feel great for 3 days. 4th day was medium. Today I woke up feeling pretty normal - fingers crossed it stays that way! I plan on returning to work on Tuesday! My job is in an office - so not a lot of standing or lifting - so it should be a breeze. It will be easier than being home with my 4 kids :).

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I think your occupation has a lot to do with when you return to work. I am a watchmaker and most of my time is sitting at the bench. I pulled 4 hours the day after surgeryblink.gif.....yup, I was exhausted, but it was a good mental and physical challenge for me to get back up and at it. So take it as it comes...do what you feel you can do by listening to your body. Best of luck on your journey!!!!wink.gif

@mom2amwt--- Congrats on your new band....you will learn to love itbiggrin.gif

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I own my own business and was back at my desk the next day...for 4 hours. Then I went home and slept for 4 hours. The next day I went and worked in the warehouse (within the guidelines of my lifting restrictions). I deliberately moved more slowly and didn't do too much bending, but I was fine after that point.

I recovered more quickly than most after a C-section many years ago and was told at that time by the surgeon that patients who get up and moving after surgery, recover more quickly because the increased circulation not only helps their body to heal faster but it also helps to get the anesthetics from surgery out of your system more quickly.

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I took two weeks off and I am glad I did. I also had a hiatal hernia repair....which I think added to the additional recovery time. And it was nice not to have to be at work trying to do the liquid and mushy foods as well.

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I have a physical job, so I took a week. I probably could have gone back around day 5. If I had a desk job probably day 4.

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your going to have to listen to your body, my surgery was on a thursday and i returned to work on monday, but work 1/2 days mon, tues, and wed. It s amazing how fast your body adjusts. I have a desk job and my boss was VERY understanding. make sure you follow your doctors orders, listen to your body, and take your vitiamins.

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I was given a week off.

I had my gall bladder out at the same time and felt fine around day 4-5.

I just made sure I didn't bend too much and stuck to my liquid diet. It was a bit hard trying to explain my liquid diet to work colleagues, however I told them my Dr wanted me to lose weight and had put me on a strict diet to kick start my weight loss. Christmas luncheons were a bit tricky too rolleyes.gif

I survived though and have managed to keep it a secret from them all so far.

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I had a combination Hiatal hernia/lap band surgery. I took two weeks off, I have a very physically demanding 12 nursing job. I was so ready to go back to work! Two weeks was too long, I would have been fine after one week but keep the 5lb weight lifting restriction for a month.

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I had my surgery on a Tuesday and went back the following Wednesday so one full week. I'd have gone back Monday but had appointments at the dr's office both days in the middle of the day so it was easier to stay off of work than go in and try and justify taking off 2 or 3 hours for the appointments each day.

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I had surgery on a Weds and had every intention of returning to work the Monday after.....ended up not going back until the Weds.....needed a full week.

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I had my lapband/hiatal hernia repair surgery 11/29/10, which was a Monday. I am a full time student, so I took the week off and had to go back to classes the next week because of finals. It was and exhausting week because for me, I felt like my port or band was pushing on my ribs whenever I sat up, so I was very uncomfortable sitting at the desk for 2 hours straight for an exam. I went back to school Tuesday, 6 weeks post-op and was it was 110% better. I agree that the more you move, the better you feel, so make sure to do that. I was up and walking within an hour of leaving post-op and being taken to my room. I would say take the extra time off, and you can always go back early :)

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I had my surgery on Wed and went back to work on Monday, luckily..I'm my own boss and I only worked 1/2 day. I was just very tired. I took it easy for the next few days...but was back to my old self towards the end of the week and actually starting walking 3.5 miles with my neighborhood walking group on the Thurs a week and 1 day after surgery.... I must say...getting back into my routine helped me tremendously!!

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It probably depends on what you do. I have my own business so no real time off was taken. But there are days still that I am not feeling great so I don't work then. The weeks following surgery you might get more colds due to the immune system weakened, or have tired days. So in all my surgical experiences (3) you won't be back to 100% for at least 6 weeks, but certainly able to work if it's not physical, within days.

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I had a big meeting at my office the week after my surgery and I went back the day before. I had surgery on 09/08/10 and went back on 09/15/10. I had a weekend in there, so that helped.

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