Time Off From Work After Surgery

[EllaJo 60]

I am just getting started in the process of getting 'sleeved'. I mean I'm going to my first meeting tonight. I am just curious as to how long will I not be able to go to work?

Also I want for the procedure to be private. What should I tell anyone (including my boss) who asks why I need time off? Also what do I say when they ask about my weight loss?

[kparker0501 88]

I have a desk job and I was sleeved on September 24th. I had surgery on Monday and went back to work the following Tuesday. I felt good only slightly sore.(and I am a baby) At first I thought there was no way I could do it but after 5 days I felt pretty good. Not 100% but good. No way could I have done a physical job though. Hope this helps.

[delta_girl 931]

There is another thread on this form where you can read recent responses to this same question. Just do a search in the box up top.

[kimmy*custis 276]

Everyone is different, I took three weeks but I was ready to go back in one!!! I told everyone who would listen about my surgery but that too is a personal decision, one you have to make. Why do you not want to tell anyone if you dont mind me asking? It will be easier if everyone knows upfront so they can be supportive of you and like you said, not question the weight loss, possibly thinking you are sick? Best of luck on your decision...and your surgery!

[slojo 150]

I was off 1 wk after surgery but would have done better if I had been off 2-3 weeks. IT depends on the job and how you recover. You have tired weak days and good days post op. If you lift at your job you'll need more...

[EllaJo 60]

There is another thread on this form where you can read recent responses to this same question. Just do a search in the box up top.

Thank you, I didn't realize I could search. I'm totally new to this site. I joined this morning.

[EllaJo 60]

Everyone is different, I took three weeks but I was ready to go back in one!!! I told everyone who would listen about my surgery but that too is a personal decision, one you have to make. Why do you not want to tell anyone if you dont mind me asking? It will be easier if everyone knows upfront so they can be supportive of you and like you said, not question the weight loss, possibly thinking you are sick? Best of luck on your decision...and your surgery!

I work in child care with 2 1/2 year olds...I'm thinking two weeks max...Incase of complications.

I am a very private person and the people I work with will make it a joke. That's just how they are. On top of that I don't trust many people. My mom, dad, and fiance are the only people I trust enough to tell that I am having (hopefully) WLS.

Thank you so much for your feed back! I see on your weight ticker that my weight is only slightly over your starting weight. and my goal is about the same as yours. I hope we can both make it to that goal!

[EllaJo 60]

I have a desk job and I was sleeved on September 24th. I had surgery on Monday and went back to work the following Tuesday. I felt good only slightly sore.(and I am a baby) At first I thought there was no way I could do it but after 5 days I felt pretty good. Not 100% but good. No way could I have done a physical job though. Hope this helps.

I work in child care with 2 1/5 year olds... I'm thinking max 2 weeks off. Being that I don't get paid time off.

I am also a baby. I HATE pain! But the discomfort and pain I will endure through surgery will be worth it when I'm healthy for the first time since I was a child.

Thank you for your feed back! I really apreciate it

[slojo 150]

I found the weakness/easy fatigue to be more bothersome post-op than the pain...

[Pookeyism 1,143]

Hope fr the best, prepare for less!

I would have been 2 weeks or so if I had not had some unfortunate events, you can look at my profile if you want.

But you need to prepare for more than that.

You are obliged to only tell your boss that it is a medical issue...search "time off" "telling boss" "HR" etc...

[altagirl 127]

I only took 4 days off work. It was fine for me - I am a nurse in an administrative position so I mostly sit at a desk but do end up walking a lot. The problem that you have is that (per my dr's intstructions) you are not suppose to lift anything for a while - I am not excatly sure the time because I never lift more than a gallon of milk! I would think working with kids you are picking them up often.

As far as telling - my job doesn't require anything - I just sent an email to HR saying I would be out these days - originally I was planning on taking a week off and then going back part time for 2 weeks but honestly I was fine so I had surgery on Monday morning and went back to work that Friday. Everyone is different and I have had 2 abdominal surgeries, I thought the sleeve was a cakewalk.

I think you can always tell people the surgery is "personal" - most people assume that means you had some type of female surgery and don't ask too many questions. I did not tell anyone that I had surgery. When I went back to work someone asked me if I was "ok" because I was moving a little slower than usual. I said that I had some pain but things were fine. I was a "lightweight" so my weight loss will be more gradual and less obvious so I am not worried about anyone asking how I lost so much weight. Whether or not you tell anyone about the surgery is very personal - do what you think is the best. I will caution you - from other people's experience - if you tell one person you might as well tell everyone because no one (not even husbands or moms/dads) can keep things private!

Good luck - I had my surgery on 9/10 and am very happy with the decisions.

[EllaJo 60]

Hope fr the best, prepare for less!

I would have been 2 weeks or so if I had not had some unfortunate events, you can look at my profile if you want.

But you need to prepare for more than that.

You are obliged to only tell your boss that it is a medical issue...search "time off" "telling boss" "HR" etc...

Oh no! I hope nothing too serious? I will be checking out your profile

How much would you recomend I prepare for?

[azquilter92 82]

I took 2 Weeks,im glad I did,I have a somewhat physical job and was sore and tired,my first few days. I told a few people at work only because they wouldnt be able to get ahold of me,the one nite I spent in the hospital. I used vacation time as opposed to sick time

[EllaJo 60]

I only took 4 days off work. It was fine for me - I am a nurse in an administrative position so I mostly sit at a desk but do end up walking a lot. The problem that you have is that (per my dr's intstructions) you are not suppose to lift anything for a while - I am not excatly sure the time because I never lift more than a gallon of milk! I would think working with kids you are picking them up often.

As far as telling - my job doesn't require anything - I just sent an email to HR saying I would be out these days - originally I was planning on taking a week off and then going back part time for 2 weeks but honestly I was fine so I had surgery on Monday morning and went back to work that Friday. Everyone is different and I have had 2 abdominal surgeries, I thought the sleeve was a cakewalk.

I think you can always tell people the surgery is "personal" - most people assume that means you had some type of female surgery and don't ask too many questions. I did not tell anyone that I had surgery. When I went back to work someone asked me if I was "ok" because I was moving a little slower than usual. I said that I had some pain but things were fine. I was a "lightweight" so my weight loss will be more gradual and less obvious so I am not worried about anyone asking how I lost so much weight. Whether or not you tell anyone about the surgery is very personal - do what you think is the best. I will caution you - from other people's experience - if you tell one person you might as well tell everyone because no one (not even husbands or moms/dads) can keep things private!

Good luck - I had my surgery on 9/10 and am very happy with the decisions.

WOW only 4 days! That's awesome. I don't think I will recover that quickly. Thank you so much for helping me to see a way that I can not tell people about the surgery. It is not required that we tell our boss why we need time off, but she is very curious so I know it will be asked. Currently I weigh 260 so I'm assuming the weight will come off pretty drastic at first. I'm not really sure.

[Need-a-Sleeve 211]

I also have a desk job& took 2 weeks off but am probably much older than you.

I also told everyone at work (as I don't care what people think); but even if I hadn't, they could all see the dramatic weight change so quick.

The other thing is here I am at 5 weeks out & just now experiencing some debilitating incision pain from the nerve regenerating. People can't help but notice when I blanche & break out in a sweat & that is hard to cover. Best of luck & strongly advise you to not lift until cleared!