Down Time

[kathi5085 0]

My surgery is scheduled for the second week in February, and my doctor said it will probably be about two weeks before I return to work. From the beginning of my journey, the nurse and the nutritionist said I would only need one week before I could return to work. Can you give me a realistic idea (if all goes well) of how long it will be before I am back at work.

[jingleboob 5]

it depends what your job entails... if you dont have to be on your feet or lift, like a desk job, you could be back after less than a week. If you're very active, walking, standing, lifting etc, it will be longer. I was out for a week, but I don't have much physical activity in my job, and honestly could have gone back a couple of days sooner if I needed to. I was shopping at Walmart the day after surgery! it was really a much easier surgery for me to recover from than my gallbladder was- I was out for 2 weeks from that.

[reverie 49]

Depends on your job. The more strenuous your job the longer time you will require off. I took off 2 weeks off though I could have went back in a week. I took advantage of my paid sick leave but I could have definitely been back in a week or so. Ask your surgeon what he thinks is best but really pay attention to how YOU feel physically.

[bayareanan 24]

I could have gone back in a week. But I had great sick leave and took 5 weeks off. The doctor was totally ok about taking that much time, so I went for it. It was like a long vacation, except I didnt go anywhere.

[Dave_NW 92]

As others have said, if you're only being banded, a week or two is probably enough. In my case, I had a hiatal hernia and a ventral hernia repaired while I was being banded, so I ended up with more incisions and internal stitches than many get. I took three weeks off work, and then worked on a light-duty status for another three weeks after going back. It was probably about enough time for me. I've been fine, and had zero complications because I took it slow. Now, seven weeks after surgery, I feel better than I have in years.

Good luck!

Dave

[Pinkygirl 34]

I have a sit down job....my surgery was on a monday and I went back to work the next tuesday. Probably could have even went back to work on thursday but it was xmas eve

[Thora 0]

I've been out a week so far. Went to work yesterday to do payroll and sitting at a desk for more than an hour was painfull to me. I went home and put a heating pad on my belly. Getting those pains near the ribs that everyone talks about. I'm glad I'm getting 2 weeks. I'm aslo in the Security business so doctor said 2 weeks.

[Steph951 1]

I'm at two weeks and we went to the zoo yesterday up an down hills and had lots of fun and no pain!! But I don't think I could have done it after just one week, still kinda sore and not yet sleeping well. You don't feel that well on the liquid diet either, very weak

[lucky13girl4652 1]

I agree with everyone here, it all depends on your job. I work in IT so it is mostly desk work and meetings. I had surgery 8am on a Wednesday and was back to work on Monday. If I didn't just start my job a few months prior, I would of preferred to stay at home longer, but I was fine. Plus, I think working took my mind off of the post op diet of liquids for 2 weeks. I hope this helps!

[TucsonAnnie 2]

I went on leave one day before surgery to prep and set up my postop house, then I took two workdays and then two full workweeks off. My work is at a desk, so it wasn't so much the sitting that I was worried about. It was the incision sites that I didn't want to deal with. Even going back at ten days postop, my work clothes rubbed me wrong, and dealing with the postop diet was inconvenient, to say the least.

Trying to get back to work to save my leave time was a mistake, I really needed a few more days to get back into the swing of things. In retrospect, I should have worked half-days the 3rd week. I still had some minor pain, and the stress or driving, finding parking, packing lunch properly and wearing loose clothing at my waistline was a drag.

Don't push yourself, be realistic. I'm glad I could stay home and avoid the jerks who came to work sick while I was out. I missed a major cough fest. Ouch. Who needs that postop?

Be kind to yourself. Work up to it. Don't go back to work unless you have to. Get a pedicure. Visit old friends and relatives. Walk in the park. Relax and enjoy. It's the beginning of a healthier you.

[nomorejellybelly 77]

I sit at a desk, but I wasn't telling anyone I had the surgery, so I wanted to play it safe when I went back. I think I only took about 7 days off after surgery. I could have taken another day or so, but we had a big meeting that I didn't want to miss.