How long off work?

[Bluesea71 698]

I had my surgery on 4/16 (3 days ago). The first 24 hours were AWFUL, the next day I felt 70% better and today, outside of some slight soreness in my abs (like I did a 1000 sit ups) I feel back to normal. I haven't had any trapped gas pain or anything. I took all of next week off of work, but could easily go back if I needed to now. The only accommodations I would need to make is using a rolling backpack to carry my files around vs. carrying them. My job is very sedentary too.

Here's the thing- none of us know what our personal experience will be like. Of the people I know who got sleeved the same day as me, I seem to be having the easiest recovery. I would rather be conservative and plan for more time off. It will be nice to have some time to make lifestyle adjustments next week... But frankly, I think working will be a nice distraction from the "head hunger" a lot of people report having. I am too busy to eat when I'm at work! If anything, I will have to set reminders to eat and drink!

[O-Town Body Rock 148]

I was out of the hospital on Thursday back at work full-time on Monday. I do not have paid time off and was out for the week of surgery. I didn't have any problems but I was tired and looked it.

Edited April 30, 2014 by O-Town Body Rock

[linda hayes 16]

Had my surgery march 14 and off work for a month because I work 12 hours a day.

[mi75 1,235]

i was told to plan for 4 weeks off, but could go back after 3 with heavy restrictions if i felt up to it.

i have heard from MANY people that 3 seems to be the magic number, that at 3 wks out you feel pretty normal and back to living, and you are losing, and starting to eat, and have some semblance of life again.

[menjaz 35]

My job is in front of a computer, also. I took 8 weeks off. Even though you're job is sedentary, you still have to adjust to your new tummy and your new life. You won't be eating very much, and may feel weak. If you do go back right away, best of luck!

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

I am 67. I was walking the mall 5 days after surgery. Slowly, but for several hours. Good grief LOL. But then again I worked 47 years and had minimal days off in my lifetime. Doing it over, I would have taken off work 6 months every year lol!

[Bluesea71 698]

I replied above but thought I'd give you an update since I actually started back at work this week. My surgery was on 4/16, exactly 2 weeks ago today. During my surgery they also found a hernia that needed to be repaired.

I went back to work this Monday (12 days post surgery). Actually, I met with a client for an hour 5 days post surgery with no issue. The first 24 hours after surgery in the hospital were pure hell for me. I was cursing every veteran on this board for not warning me how hard it was! The next day I felt 70% better. By the 3rd day I felt mostly normal except for that feeling that I did too many sit-ups. I haven't had any kind of pain medicine since day 4. I have had a really easy recovery. No gas pain, no nausea or throwing up (past the first 24 hours.) I haven't really felt weak - but I've also been very good about eating at least 40-90 grams of Protein a day. I added the unflavored stuff to Jello, Soups, etc plus my standard premiere Protein shakes. Honestly, if I didn't have 5 ugly incisions on my belly, I would question if I actually had the surgery. I feel normal.

I work three 9-10 hour days so I can have 4 days off (the beauty of self employment.). I have made a few accommodations. I carry a bag on wheels so I don't carry heavy files. I have a huge bottle of iced Water with me at all times. I packed a cooler with 2 ready made Protein Shakes and a small container of cottage cheese to bring with me to work. I had to remind myself to eat. No hunger sensation at all post surgery (again, I think this is because the Protein keeps me full.)

Let me tell you why I like working. It gives me a nice distraction from how much I've been obsessing over this surgery. It was much more difficult to deal with the temptation to eat or "head hunger" when I was home and could walk into my kitchen every 5 minutes. My work is very sedentary. I sit and listen to people for a living. If my work involved being on my feet all day or was physically demanding, I would have taken more time off. My struggles have always been around balancing work/life. The old me would not plan and leave the house without packing any food. I would eat out almost everyday. I am now forced to pack my lunch.

As I mentioned before, this surgery is a wild card. None of us knows what our experience will be like. Eat as much protein as you can. It makes a huge difference in your energy level and recovery!

[Avryv 26]

I had my surgery on a Friday, Flew home on Sunday, went back to work Tuesday. I missed one day of work. The more I moved/walked the better I felt. I couldn't imagine staying home in bed or laying low the gas was so bad for me that the more I moved the more I released and the better I felt. I also didn't take any pain medication because it made me throw up (I threw up the first 24 hours - mainly dry heaved) But once I stopped the pain meds 24 hours after surgery I felt a TON better.

Edited May 2, 2014 by Avryv

[Avryv 26]

@@O-Town Body Rock You sound very similar to me. I had my surgery on Friday was back to work on Tuesday. I was tired but overall felt fine. Sounds like you had your surgery around the same time as me and started out close to the same weight as me

[O-Town Body Rock 148]

@@O-Town Body Rock You sound very similar to me. I had my surgery on Friday was back to work on Tuesday. I was tired but overall felt fine. Sounds like you had your surgery around the same time as me and started out close to the same weight as me

Yep! We are sleeve sisters for sure!

[jatherley 126]

I work in a call center. Answering calls and entering data all day long. I scheduled 2 weeks off but ended up taking 3 and probably should have taken more. My pain was finally under control week 3 but by week 5 I was severely dehydrated and had to go in and get IV fluids. Hard to drink Water when your talking on the phone 8+ hours a day. That took some time to work out my drinking schedule for work. I still do not get as many ounces as I should but I get enough to keep me out of the hospital. I'm 8 months out.