Return To Work Was A Complete Failure. :(

[Lori Voss Green 93]

It has been 8 days since surgery. Today was to be my 1st day back to work. I work for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois....sitting at a desk for 10 hours talking on the phone. I figured how hard would it be to go back and sit all day? Harder than I thought apparently.

I had to sit in the break room while waiting for OCC Health to approve my return to work. I was there about an hour & the pain in my stomach/incision area was horrendous. I started shaking & broke out in a cold sweat, and I felt horribly nauseous. I ended up calling the nurse while I was waiting. She said it's more than likely due to all of the swelling that I still have, and sitting in an upright position puts pressure on it, which causes in the increased pain and symptoms associated with it. They went ahead and extended my FMLA through the end of the week. Hopefully by Monday the swelling will have decreased and the pain will be gone. Right now I am laying in bed with an ice pack on the incision. Not sure if I tried going back to work too soon....or I am just the world's biggest baby.

[Diva Down 26]

Sorry to hear of your situation. Everyone is different! I had surgery on a thursday and was back at work the following Tuesday. Including the day of surgery, I had only 5 days off!! When I returned to the floor (I'm a nurse), the first two days were tough, but I was back to functioning semi normal minus lifting by day 3 and four back to work! Take time to heal yourself... You are in charge of your health!! I wish you the best of luck!!!!!!

5/28/12 pre-op diet started (217lbs) 6/14/12 Surgery 1.8cc added to 10cc band (205lbs). 7/17/12 1st fill (194lbs). 7/24/12 (191lbs) 7/30/12 (187lbs) 8/14/12 1cc added total of 3.8cc (187)

[KristinsMommy 145]

Sorry to hear of your situation. Everyone is different! I had surgery on a thursday and was back at work the following Tuesday. Including the day of surgery' date=' I had only 5 days off!! When I returned to the floor (I'm a nurse), the first two days were tough, but I was back to functioning semi normal minus lifting by day 3 and four back to work! Take time to heal yourself... You are in charge of your health!! I wish you the best of luck!!!!!!

5/28/12 pre-op diet started (217lbs) 6/14/12 Surgery 1.8cc added to 10cc band (205lbs). 7/17/12 1st fill (194lbs). 7/24/12 (191lbs) 7/30/12 (187lbs) 8/14/12 1cc added total of 3.8cc (187)[/quote']

How long until you started lifting again? I'm a nurse too and my surgery is the september 6th and I plan on going back work the 17th. I also worry because I have a 7 month old and I just know there's no way I won't pick her up for a week.

[Diva Down 26]

How long until you started lifting again? I'm a nurse too and my surgery is the september 6th and I plan on going back work the 17th. I also worry because I have a 7 month old and I just know there's no way I won't pick her up for a week.

Hey Kristin, I did wait until 6 weeks to start lifting over 50lbs. Now after 2-3 weeks I could lift and carry boxes. I had to listen to my body. The port incision was the worst, but I was able to function pretty great after 2 or so weeks. Now what I can say is I have a higher pain tolerance than most, but you know how us nurses are... We are stubborn, but I am thankful because I know when it is bad enough for me to say, nooo you can't do this. The day I returned to work I was already turning patients, and doing small lifting duties of like 5lbs... But I did wait to try heavier things once my incisions scabbed or fell off!!

5/28/12 pre-op diet started (217lbs) 6/14/12 Surgery 1.8cc added to 10cc band (205lbs). 7/17/12 1st fill (194lbs). 7/24/12 (191lbs) 7/30/12 (187lbs) 8/14/12 1cc added total of 3.8cc (187)

[KristinsMommy 145]

Hey Kristin' date=' I did wait until 6 weeks to start lifting over 50lbs. Now after 2-3 weeks I could lift and carry boxes. I had to listen to my body. The port incision was the worst, but I was able to function pretty great after 2 or so weeks. Now what I can say is I have a higher pain tolerance than most, but you know how us nurses are... We are stubborn, but I am thankful because I know when it is bad enough for me to say, nooo you can't do this. The day I returned to work I was already turning patients, and doing small lifting duties of like 5lbs... But I did wait to try heavier things once my incisions scabbed or fell off!!

5/28/12 pre-op diet started (217lbs) 6/14/12 Surgery 1.8cc added to 10cc band (205lbs). 7/17/12 1st fill (194lbs). 7/24/12 (191lbs) 7/30/12 (187lbs) 8/14/12 1cc added total of 3.8cc (187)[/quote']

Thank you for the info! I also have a high tolerance for pain (funny example I was in actie labor for five hours at home and didn't even know it by the time i finally said "okay let's go to the hospital" her head was basically out) I will make sure I listen to my body with this I don't want to hurt anything or cause any problems

for myself. And congrats on your success I'm looking at your weight loss and your doing awesome !

[Lori Voss Green 93]

Man, I must be a baby! LOL All I was doing was sitting and the pain was just horrible. The incision for the port just looks nasty to me, but the nurse assured me it's "normal." She said there is an awful lot of swelling still. How long did everyone else have excessive swelling?

[Diva Down 26]

Thanks .... It has been tough, but it has gotten easier day by day... I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a struggle, but it is a battle worth fighting for.... I mean I can cross my legs again!! Yay for the simple things!!! Good luck to you as well!!! You don't have much longer until surgery!!

5/28/12 pre-op diet started (217lbs) 6/14/12 Surgery 1.8cc added to 10cc band (205lbs). 7/17/12 1st fill (194lbs). 7/24/12 (191lbs) 7/30/12 (187lbs) 8/14/12 1cc added total of 3.8cc (187)

[KristinsMommy 145]

Man, I must be a baby! LOL All I was doing was sitting and the pain was just horrible. The incision for the port just looks nasty to me, but the nurse assured me it's "normal." She said there is an awful lot of swelling still. How long did everyone else have excessive swelling?

Your tottally not a baby ! People just tolerate pain different and we all heal differently. Nurses commmonly neglect ourselves for others (not saying thats a good thing but it happens). I cant answer your question about swelling but I just want too assure you your not a baby & your smart for not pushing yourself too far !

[Diva Down 26]

Man' date=' I must be a baby! LOL All I was doing was sitting and the pain was just horrible. The incision for the port just looks nasty to me, but the nurse assured me it's "normal." She said there is an awful lot of swelling still. How long did everyone else have excessive swelling?[/quote']

My port did stay swollen for like 2 weeks then the slight redness came along with the normal inflammatory response (healing process). Now I did have a dot or two of "pus" seep out after I picked one side of the scab, but I just cleaned it and applied triple antibiotic ointment!! I've now been using mederma and all of my scars are near invisible except for the port. I had surgery 2 months ago so I think that is pretty good!!

5/28/12 pre-op diet started (217lbs) 6/14/12 Surgery 1.8cc added to 10cc band (205lbs). 7/17/12 1st fill (194lbs). 7/24/12 (191lbs) 7/30/12 (187lbs) 8/14/12 1cc added total of 3.8cc (187)

[KristinsMommy 145]

Thanks .... It has been tough, but it has gotten easier day by day... I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a struggle, but it is a battle worth fighting for.... I mean I can cross my legs again!! Yay for the simple things!!! Good luck to you as well!!! You don't have much longer until surgery!!

5/28/12 pre-op diet started (217lbs) 6/14/12 Surgery 1.8cc added to 10cc band (205lbs). 7/17/12 1st fill (194lbs). 7/24/12 (191lbs) 7/30/12 (187lbs) 8/14/12 1cc added total of 3.8cc (187)

I cant wait to be able to cross my legs ! oh & not have so many aches and pains. I am ONLY 22 !!! i shoud not feel like this. Every since having my child I am choosing to take back control of my life not only for myself but so I can be here in the future for my great grandbabies. I am young I have alot going for me for being 22. Ive accomplished alot and want to accomplish so much more I dont need these extra 100lbs holding me back!

[Diva Down 26]

I cant wait to be able to cross my legs ! oh & not have so many aches and pains. I am ONLY 22 !!! i shoud not feel like this. Every since having my child I am choosing to take back control of my life not only for myself but so I can be here in the future for my great grandbabies. I am young I have alot going for me for being 22. Ive accomplished alot and want to accomplish so much more I dont need these extra 100lbs holding me back!

Wow I'm so excited for you to start this journey early to take control of your life!! That is outstanding!!

5/28/12 pre-op diet started (217lbs) 6/14/12 Surgery 1.8cc added to 10cc band (205lbs). 7/17/12 1st fill (194lbs). 7/24/12 (191lbs) 7/30/12 (187lbs) 8/14/12 1cc added total of 3.8cc (187)

[Sojourner 2,446]

The more time you give yourself to properly heal post op, the better you will feel. Everyone is correct; we all have a different level of tolerance for pain and heal at different rates.

Sometimes you just have to take a time out and take good care of yourself...

Hope you feel better fast...

[Lori Voss Green 93]

Thanks! I just feel like such a wimp right now. In the last year I have broken an ankle, been hospitalized with 2 blood clots, had a hysterectomy, and now the lap band. I sorta thought I could bounce back from this surgery quickly with no problems. I guess I overestimated myself.

[tonyann 8]

Hi lori ,it took me about 2wks for my swelling to go down ! even now if i sit for a long period of time it bothers me so i have to get up and walk for awhile, so yes everyones pain and healing is differentoh and i was baned july 9th . good luck take care hope u feel better very soon!!

Thxs Tonyann

[Lori Voss Green 93]

Tonyann.....thank you! I just feel like a wimp, especially hearing of other people going back to more physical jobs quickly.