Time off for desk jobs?

[aranders75 2]

Hi everyone,

Question for folks who have desk jobs...how much time would you suggest taking off work? My job is not physically demanding at all, but it is mentally demanding (project management at an airline). One huge benefit is that I can work from home.

My current plan is to have the surgery on a Wed, return home on Sunday, and then work from home that entire week, and go back into the office on the following Monday. Essentially, a week and a half away from the office.

Is this crazy? I'd love feedback!

[SleeveFox 10]

I'm 18 days post sleeve and I still have brain-fog. Its pretty difficult to concentrate eventhough its improving, I dont think I can hold any tasks that require concentration. I would suggest to wait atleast 3 weeks for you to regain some of your mental focus. If you really have a tight schedule , I would suggest to wait atleast 2 weeks after surgery.

[joatsaint 2,814]

I have a veeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrry sedentary desk job. But, I had a difficult recovery, but still was able to go back to work on day 10 post-op. The days I took off were 5 business days and 2 weekends. I felt I was able to go back to work once I felt comfortable driving my car again, about day 8.

[DayByDay 123]

I would recommend two weeks. I took a week off but should have taken two weeks off.

[Roo101769 742]

I plan to only take a week off. But I have "special" circumstances. Earlier this year I was hospitalized twice for DVT/PE and was off work for about two months in total. My employer is being very reasonable giving me the time off for this surgery. They understand that it should help me, and in the long run keep me at my desk more. ( Hopefully circulation will improve with the weight loss and I won't have any more DVTs) My surgeon said that 1) as long as there are no complications 2) as long as I am healing well and 3) as long as I can tolerate any pain or discomfort without narcotics then he will release me to work after a week. I have a desk job. It does require focus, but I have been doing it for 18+ years. I am pretty sure I can work on 'autopilot' for a bit and not create too much of a problem. But given the extended time off I have already had this year, I do not want to push it. I expect I won't feel my best, but I will cope. I still plan to take it easy at home for a week or two after returning to work. But maybe I will be one of those really fortunate people who recovers quickly and will feel great after a week! Fingers crossed!!! LOL

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

I have a pretty brain-taxing, but relatively sedentary job (unless I'm ramped up about something and I'm like a sodding tornado). As SleeveFox experienced; I get 'brain fog' and I'm 14 days out. Which, if you're making pretty hefty decisions and having to analyse stuff all day, is not great. This is compounded by having the concentration span of a gnat. I'm hoping it will improve in the forthcoming weeks (well, I could do with it improving in the next week), 'cause I don't want to be making silly professional errors because I just simply haven't got enough carbs or calories in my system to function. I'd say, take as much time as you can and find your rhythm before throwing yourself back into the deep end... Best of luck x

[Snufflegus 80]

I agree with the brain fog, I am in finance and took off 2 weeks. More so than the brain fog was the physical sitting in my office chair, the position that my core was being held in made me very sore at the end of the day, in no way compared to my recliner or sofa. I came back on a Thursday and both Thursday and Friday left early due to fatigue and soreness. The following week was fine and I made it full days.

I hope this helps in your decision.

[J.Diesel 220]

I would say 2 weeks...then you'll most likely be in your pureed stage and used to your new sleeve.

[bubba6377 16]

I never considered the lack of focus. That's going to make my college courses difficult.

[cgoodlett 9]

I Tim 3 weeks off work but ended up going back after 9 days lol

[cgoodlett 9]

Oops took

[ItsMe2033 143]

I have a desk job and I had surgery on Thursday, August 1st, and I went back to work on the afternoon of Monday August 5th. I'm pretty sure that I could have actually gone in to work on the Saturday two days after my surgery if I had needed to. I intentionally worked a half-day on my first day back so that if I started getting tired I would still be able to make it through the day. I don't think the speed of my recovery is common, but if you read around on here you will see plenty of people who can hop back up right away and lots of others who need a couple of weeks. Your plan sounds very reasonable.

For the first few weeks after my surgery, I did get unusually tired around 8:00 PM, and that would last for an hour or two, then pass. After a couple of weeks I never noticed it again.

I was already working out doing weight lifting for years prior to my surgery. My surgeon strongly recommended that I add some cardio to my workouts about a month prior to the surgery. I added about 5 hours per week of fairly intense cardio to my workout, and I feel that was one of the important factors contributing to my speedy recovery.

[Peggy 53 69]

I had my surgery on a Wednesday and went back to work the following Tuesday. I had a bit of brain fog, which I suspected, but is tired quickly. My staff was told that I may leave early any day the rest of the week. The only day I did was Friday. It still took me another week to clear the fog. It took me longer to get my routine things done. After 5 weeks, I still get tired by Friday, but the fog is gone. I guess it depends on the demands you have.

[pjackson0523 158]

I'm having surgery on a Monday and going back the following Monday. BUT, Ihave a very easy laid back office job. So, unless I pay someone too much on their paycheck or screw up paying some bills, I should hopefully be able to function. My job is very flexible. I only work M-TH from 8-3,but, if I need to leave early, I could.

[lucky8mb1 167]

I have a desk job, but it's a very demanding one and the timing didn't work for me to take more than a few days off. I had my surgery on Monday, came home Tuesday, spent Wednesday recuperating at home, worked from home Thursday, and was in the office on Friday.

I was fine both physically and mentally.