Post Op Question

[daniellec 10]

When can I have a glass of wine ? I am 8 days Post-Op?

Also...thinking of returning to work earlier than planned. Good or bad idea ?

[frumpynomore 204]

I went to work 7 days after surgery and did just fine. My job is sitting at a desk in front of a computer so there was no labor to worry about. It is a good idea to make sure with your surgeon that he agrees that you can go back to work. Wine....well, my doc said that I could have it a the 3 month mark. I had a little about a month out and did just fine. I found that after my surgery everything tasted extremely sweet so I really didn't care for it too much but now that I'm 4 months out I enjoy it again. Good luck

!

[LindaS 316]

Ask your doctor about when you can have wine. Generally, most docs recommend to hold off until your stomach heals. This is usually 3 months at the earliest, but some recommend 6 months or a year.

As for going back to work earlier, I'm not sure what you do for work and that can make a difference. I went back to work two weeks after my surgery. I felt great, but by the end of the work day I was tired. I was falling asleep during the evening news (6 p.m.) and in bed for the night by 8 p.m. I was getting up at 6 a.m.

Normally, I go to bed sometime between 11 p.m. and 1 am., so you can see that I was very worn out when I went back to work after two weeks.

My job isn't that strenuous. I teach college English and work on campus two days a week. The other three days I work from home online.

I was still wiped out every night, but I don't regret going back to work after two weeks.

[daniellec 10]

Thanks about the wine, I will ask. I "took" 18 days off. I have a desk job where I am up and down and I do walk around sometimes.

Also, I do find 8 days post op once I do things like my walk and or a little housework, I get a little winded and dizzy. Is that normal ?

I may wait the full two weeks. I am feeling pretty well, but I am afraid of getting dizzy at work from doing too much.

[kimmy*custis 276]

I had my first glass of wine at 5 weeks out, doesnt taste as good to me right now tho! I wanted to go back to work about a week out but my doc wouldnt release me till 3 weeks out and I did fine. I too have a desk job, am able to get up anytime I need to and have access to water/food all day so they agreed. The doc wanted me to take the full 6 weeks, I was going crazy at home after a week!

[Cobrargc 25]

I would stay away from the alcohol for awhile.

I had my surgery on Wednesday and return to work on Monday. This isn't the case for most folks though. If your strenght is there and your job isn't physically demanding, then try it. I was going stir crazy around the house after only a few days.

[Wheetsin 714]

I have a corporate desk type job. I had surgery last week and feel good enough to return, but have STD benefits so I'm home for another 3 weeks. That's probably for the better, because even though the pain is negligible, my energy level just isn't there yet and I have a long commute.

If you're feeling able to go back to work, and your surgeon is OK with it, then go back. Just remember no heavy lifting. And make sure you have good quality foods with you. Energy can disappear quite quickly.

As for wine, I'm not a wine drinker myself but my nutritionist recommends no tea for 4 - 6 months. I talked to her quite a bit about this and she shared some interesting literature with me. It's not necessarily the alcohol (in wine) or caffeine or anything, the tannins/catechins and other acids can be an irritant to the stomach and to the staple line. Just ask your nutritionist. The best we can tell you is to follow their advice.