Recovery + Time Off Work

[Janie80 2]

Just curious how long people were off work for after surgery.

[Gigs525 38]

Hi. I'm an extremely busy self employed hair stylist. I'm 60 years old. I scheduled myself off work for 4 weeks, as I'm on my feet sometimes 12 hours a day, especially during the hair holiday rush! I'm 2 weeks out of an uncomplicated rny with a gastrectomy, gall bladder removal, hiatal hernia and umbilical hernia repairs. I'm just starting to really get antsy and bored, but I will do nothing to jeopardize my recovery. This surgery means the world to me. I still get tired easily and I also need time to get used to this pattern of Protein, Water, Vitamins, Introducing new foods, exercise.

When I go back it will be on an extremely shorter schedule for another 2 weeks. I will extend my hours as I feel I can do longer hours.

My clients are wonderful and have been with me on this journey since February. They are fully understanding of this and are so cooperative.

I don't see how people on this site are back to work in a week or even two. I feel so for them. You will need this time off to heal. This is a major surgery even though its done laproscopically. You will need this time off to wrap your mind around the changes. If you are able take the TIME!????. Good luck!!

[gpmed 623]

My doctor recommended five to six weeks. I took five and worked from home one week. Many people are very fatigued until about six weeks out, due to healing and the rapid weight loss.

[SleeveandRNYchica 1,155]

I had my surgery 10/21 and returned to work 11/16. I had sleeve to RNY revision with hernia repair. I couldn't have gone back in two weeks like some people do. I was still in so much discomfort. I have a desk job. I went back last week still in some discomfort but more than that I was exhausted in bed the first day back to work by 7 pm. I get up at 4:15am. I am just now starting to feel like my normal self and I am 5 weeks post op today.

[southernheart 2]

I work a desk job in customer service. I had my surgery just over a month ago on a Wednesday and was back at work the next Monday. I was up and walking immediately in the hospital, climbed stairs the next day, and almost no pain at all. I didn't have to take the pain and nausea medicine they sent me home with either.

I would have enjoyed more time off because I was very tired and lost my energy quickly, but that's all the vacation time I had available.

Everyone is different in their recovery.

[ivy4u 13]

I have two jobs and was out 2 weeks. I was ready to go back sooner than two weeks but my surgeon wouldn't release me until then.

[The Candidate 3,215]

I took a full six weeks off, not only to heal but to adjust to the new plumbing. ????

[BrandonKea 20]

I'm 6 days post op, and planning on being off until December 19th, a total of 27 days. I work 8 hours a day as a desk jockey, err, 911 dispatcher. I feel like I could probably go back to work now, honestly. I'll update as I get a little further into my leave though.

[mike_s 32]

I was out for 2 weeks before I was ready. I did go in one day after a week out of boredom but left after a few hours due to being exhausted.

[Renee2015 5]

I took 4 weeks off, pain ended after 2 weeks. Energy level has been the biggest challenge but otherwise good. I had surgery on 10/02 and will be returning to work 11/02.

[hildaruiz29 16]

I took two weeks, but not heavy lifting. All depend on your activity work. After 5 days I felt great to work but wait one more week to rest.

[maryann~arreola 1]

I had my surgery on 10/26/15, as soon as I was fully released from my surgeon with no restrictions, I went back to work. Roughly 5 weeks, but I do a lot of lifting over 15 lbs

Edited December 2, 2015 by maryann~arreola

[turbomom22 21]

I stay at home; however yesterday 9 days post op; I was feeling great and (was tired of looking at some rooms that needed cleaning /makeover)

I'm pretty sure I overdid it as I now have pain and a lot of discomfort in my lower abdomen.

I also have only had one BM in 9 days so that could also be the culprit. Still trying to figure it out; but certainly hoping that I didn't cause any damage during my boredome driven cleaning spree yesterday.

[mike_s 32]

I stay at home; however yesterday 9 days post op; I was feeling great and (was tired of looking at some rooms that needed cleaning /makeover)

I'm pretty sure I overdid it as I now have pain and a lot of discomfort in my lower abdomen.

I also have only had one BM in 9 days so that could also be the culprit. Still trying to figure it out; but certainly hoping that I didn't cause any damage during my boredome driven cleaning spree yesterday.

I think you'll be fine. I overdid it about once a week for the first few months. The second week out I went to the gym with my wife and I caused 2 incisions to split open and started bleeding all over the place. One thing that I figured out was when I need to stop to eat or rest.

[turbomom22 21]

Mike_s

Thank you for the reassurance!! Btw I had a healthy BM this morning, yet I'm still sore internally (lower abdomen) but not the sharp pains like yesterday. I will make 'every attempt' to listen to my husbands advice to take it easy; but def easier said than done!