How much time off before returning back to work?

[Krztina 0]

Was curious how long you were out post-op recovering before going back to work. I have heard days to 6 weeks! Hard to gauge what is realistic.

[The Candidate 3,215]

I took the full six weeks. I wanted to not only heal but adjust to everything. I ended up having an extremely easy recovery, with the exception of exhaustion. I was taking daily naps right up until I returned to work.

In the end I was very grateful to have had the extended time, but if I had been forced to, I could have gone back in two weeks, maybe even one.

I was lucky though that I had zero complications, not even nausea. Everyone is different. Good luck!

[Ashlegal 525]

I could have taken as long as I wanted and planned to do so. But, after about eight days I was going stir crazy and went back with no issues.

Everyone is different and some people still months after surgery feel weak, sick and not ready.

[goblue9280 481]

I recovered pretty quickly... in fact, within 4-5 days post surgery I was feeling better than I had in months. It's amazing what getting your glucose and blood pressure under control can do to your overall well being. I had surgery on a Thursday, had my first post-op appointment on the following Tuesday and went back to work on Wednesday (post-op day 6.)

However, everyone is different, and your recovery might take longer. Furthermore, if I had more time off available, I would have taken it just to give my body and mind more time to get used to the diet.

[TMG1980TMG 136]

Next week I have to go back to work @ 6 weeks. I had a pretty easy recovery, no pain or complications. I have had some trouble getting Water in and advancing my diet. I stopped advancing per my surgeon and I am sticking with the soft foods that work right now. ( I will advance further at 3 months and see if it goes better!)

I am a Nurse on a busy acute care floor so I am worried about returning to work. I did work night shift which I thought would be really hard coming back from surgery.

I will be returning on Day shift (with a few night shifts) and have tried to pick my days spaced out so no 3 12 hour shifts in a row. I also will have no weekends until I can get on the day shift completely when a few new nurses are off orientation and on night shift. Yeah!

They day shift is stressful, but at least I will be well rested so i think that will help! I know I will have trouble staying hydraed when I am on the floor. We can't have Water on our mobile carts or in our hall cubbies. I can have in the break room or in the charge nurses office, but I don't have a lot of time to walk over to those areas. I will just have to make time to do it at least 2 times per hour in order keep my water intake at a decent level.

If I worked a desk job I would have been go back probably by week 3? I do think the full 6 weeks is helpful to work on changing your drinking and eating habits at home!

[Spiceyfrog 269]

I was scheduled to be off for three weeks (ended up being 5 because I had to go back in to the hospital), but with the exception of being very tired, I probably could have went back after two. Good luck, when is your surgery?

[WildGrits 101]

The answer to that question really needs to take into account what people do for a living.

At the time of my surgery I was working 13 hour shifts as a programmer. I took a month off and glad that I did because sitting in a desk chair for that long gets painful.

A lot of people here say they were ready to go back to work in a week. I still had drains and was actively vomiting a few times a day a week later.

I would suggest expecting to be out 4 weeks, longer if you work on your feet or lift. If you feel better then go back early and save your time for the plastic surgery. That surgery was WAY WORSE.

[Spiceyfrog 269]

@@WildGrits, I am just starting to think about plastic surgery, are you willing share your experience with that and what you had done?

[WildGrits 101]

@@Spiceyfrog Yeah no problem. Just PM me and I'll get back to you.

[BamaNurse 16]

I plan to go back next week. I will be 2 weeks post op. I think I am gonna ask the surgeon if I can take a couple extra days. These drains are still hitting me. Having one today.

[WildGrits 101]

@@BamaNurse My friends who have had the sleeve are up and about much quicker than the Roux en y folks. I don't think its as invasive.

[BamaNurse 16]

@@WildGrits Most folks are back within a week according to my surgeon. I had a hernia repair at the same time as my sleeve so I had to take 2 weeks. Still not quite sure I'm ready to go back. I'm a nurse but I don't work on a crazy, hectic floor. I work 3 on, one off and 3 on. Not sure I will be ready to do that stretch quite yet.

[melps 26]

I did 4 weeks. I still have a lot of trouble with exhaustion.

I was RNY

[gpmed 623]

I took off five weeks and worked from home for one week before returning to work full time last week. My bariatric program recommends five to six weeks as standard for all bypass patients.

For me, it turned out to be just the right amount of time. Even at four weeks I had a lot of fatigue and nausea. I feel worlds better now.

I'm really glad I took that time to let my body heal and to adjust to things post-surgery. And working from home really helped me ease back into my job.

My advice: plan for taking a long time off. That way, if you need all the time, you'll have all your ducks in a row with short term disability and whatever. If you feel better faster, you can always go back earlier. That's easier than having to request more time if you're not ready to go back.

[southernheart 2]

I had my rny on Wednesday and was back at work on Monday. I work in an office and sit at a computer 75% of the time and the rest is walking to the printer or someone else's office. I have been fine energy wise except for going up and down stairs. That takes my energy level down fast but just takes about 15 mins to get it back.