How much time off work?

[wadetb7 37]

My doc refuses to give anyone more than 1 week off work so I'm taking vacation leave!

[mi75 1,235]

it's amazing how different each doc is!

i was told to plan for 4 wks off, and he said that even if i felt good, he really recommended i take the full 4 if nothing else but to totally adjust to the new eating changes and challenges.

the good part for me is that at least my co-workers won't be watching me like hawks during the very early and awkward time when i re-introduce foods around 10 days post op!

[wadetb7 37]

it's amazing how different each doc is! i was told to plan for 4 wks off, and he said that even if i felt good, he really recommended i take the full 4 if nothing else but to totally adjust to the new eating changes and challenges. the good part for me is that at least my co-workers won't be watching me like hawks during the very early and awkward time when i re-introduce foods around 10 days post op!

Wow 4weeks!!!! That's great.

[stacielynntate 88]

My dr says 4 weeks but I can return after 1 week if I feel up to it since I have a desk job. Plus I have the benefit if being able to work from home so if I'm feeling tired etc I can just stay home that day. My boss and co-workers are great and flexible so I'll see when the time comes.

[hockeywife91 106]

My doctor wouldn't release me to go back to work for 2 weeks, even though I have a desk job. I think a lot depends on when your doctor will release you. I'd ask him/her what their policy is since every doctor is different.

[wadetb7 37]

My doc refuses to give anyone without complications more than one week :-/

[Kquinn 17]

My doc refuses to give anyone without complications more than one week :-/

That's crazy. How long will you have to stay in the hospital for? I really don't think one week is enough time to recover from such a major surgery. Shoot when I had my wisdom teeth pulled my surgeon told me to take off work for 2-3 days to give me time to heal and for swelling to go down. I actually haven't been told by my dr how long i should be out of work for but I know you're not allowed to lift over a certain amount of weight for 6 weeks and I work with a special needs child who I have to lift so I told work I need off for about 7 weeks.

[Kindle 8,667]

Yeah, your surgeon sounds like a badass! I wanted to take 2 weeks, but being self employed, I could only afford 1 week and I was OK. I'm a vet tech so I had to stick with "light duty" because I wasn't supposed to lift over 20 pounds for 3 weeks. But due to certain other circumstances, I was right back to lifting 60-70 pound dogs by day 18. By contrast, the vet I work with wasn't allowed to lift more than 8 pounds for six weeks after her hysterectomy. Guess removing a uterus and ovaries is more traumatic than 85% of a stomach.

[wadetb7 37]

That's crazy. How long will you have to stay in the hospital for? I really don't think one week is enough time to recover from such a major surgery. Shoot when I had my wisdom teeth pulled my surgeon told me to take off work for 2-3 days to give me time to heal and for swelling to go down. I actually haven't been told by my dr how long i should be out of work for but I know you're not allowed to lift over a certain amount of weight for 6 weeks and I work with a special needs child who I have to lift so I told work I need off for about 7 weeks.

I know I thought so too, but he's adamant that you are to and moving and back to work. ??? I am however taking 12 days though, using annual leave so I don't need a note from him. Ha!!! I'll check into the hospital Tuesday at 8:00am and will be out by Wednesday at noon as long as there are no complications.

[Forsythia 882]

I took seven days off from work, not including weekends since I work a M-F job. I didn't ask or anything, I just went back. I needed the money and work a desk job. I also take public transit and do not drive.

[ladyraerae 20]

The company that I work for required me to be off for 6 weeks unless I got a release form from my Dr. To go back to work earlier. I was very disappointed when I first heard this but became very thankful as time went on post op. I have got the opportunity to learn more about my body and how it reacts to food and been able to develop a nice eating pattern so I am sure to get in all the Protein and fluids I need to. I did not anticipate being hospitalized for dehydration twice. It's been quite an emotional roller coaster with me also so I am glad I haven't had the stress of work. I know every persons body is different but I know I am very glad I had the time off. I am so excited to go back to work in 5 days, and feel 100% ready to work!

[Jentodream 3]

I went back after one week but felt like I needed at least a few more days. (Office job)

[wadetb7 37]

The company that I work for required me to be off for 6 weeks unless I got a release form from my Dr. To go back to work earlier. I was very disappointed when I first heard this but became very thankful as time went on post op. I have got the opportunity to learn more about my body and how it reacts to food and been able to develop a nice eating pattern so I am sure to get in all the Protein and fluids I need to. I did not anticipate being hospitalized for dehydration twice. It's been quite an emotional roller coaster with me also so I am glad I haven't had the stress of work. I know every persons body is different but I know I am very glad I had the time off. I am so excited to go back to work in 5 days, and feel 100% ready to work!

How far into your journey did you experience dehydration? That scares the heck out of me. Any advice?

[CrazyJaney 775]

I took 10 days and was glad to have them. If forced, I could have gone back earlier but I wouldn't have felt great. I'm a nurse manager so mostly desk/walking.

[Kindle 8,667]

I needed IV fluids 3 times between weeks 6 and 10. I had severe diarrhea from a Clostridial infection and I just couldn't drink enough to keep up. I was never hospitalized, though. I gave myself fluids 2 times, but the third time none of my EMT friends could hit a vein because I was so severely dehydrated. I ended up going to my PCP's office and they got a line in me after 4 tries. My BP finally came back up after 3 liters and I could go home. That was the only day of work I missed.

My only advice is to drink drink drink, no matter what. You really should be fine. I only got dehydrated because of the diarrhea.

Edited June 3, 2014 by Kindle