Work

[AntoinetteNY 16]

I am probably going to have my surgery for gastric sleeve in April or may and I am worried about work. At the support groups they say to take 6 weeks. Others say between 3 to 6 weeks. There is NO way I can take off more than a week at my job. I do work at a desk and I can be sure to not schedule any appointments the week I return. My question is: has anyone who has been sleeved went back to work after a week.

My main reason is I just don't have enough sick time to take more than a week and I can't take it unpaid. Thank you all in advance

[sleevingbeauty321 7]

I also work a desk job, I thought I would be able to go back to work after one week since my job is fairly easy. However I was very wrong, I had a very rough recovery, I was in a lot more pain than I thought I would be in and I'm lucky my boss was understanding and let me take an extra week off. Although I did take it unpaid for both weeks, my body needed that time to recover

[sleevingbeauty321 7]

In the months before my surgery i set money aside to cover the time off I needed because I don't get any paid time off.

[AntoinetteNY 16]

My boss said she will give me whatever the doctor recommends. 2 weeks is ok?

[sleevingbeauty321 7]

I think 2 weeks is fine, that's what my surgeon recommends to all of his patients. It also depends on how you feel, some feel fine after one week. Unfortunately there's no way to know for sure how your body will take it. I would recommend taking the 2 weeks off, and if you're feeling better after one week, see if they can adjust your pto and get you back into work early. Better to be safe than sorry

[BerMichele09 6]

I took four weeks off recovery is very hard and then once your ready and able you basically need time to bond to your new stomach and get a routine in place but everyone is different I saved before surgery an planned ahead income

[SalZ 16]

I would recommend you do absolutely NOTHING BUT REST the first week and see how you feel. My first three days felt like a truck ran me over time and again. My 4th day I was already feeling better and a week out, I went back to my normal routine.
I really truly owe it to my husband. He wouldn't let me move. He literally fought me down to stay put. He was on top of me taking my pain meds before I was uncomfortable and my anti nausea meds so I wouldn't throw up... He took care of the kids completely (I have a 3 and a 5yr old).
I truly believe my fast recovery is 100 percent me giving my body a full week of doing absolutely nothing but rest...
I was.sleeved.on Tues 2/14 and the following Monday, I drove my kids to school and was.back to mommy schedule... not at full capacity and I still needed to rest, but I was.more.than okay with basic tasks..

[AntoinetteNY 16]

I would recommend you do absolutely NOTHING BUT REST the first week and see how you feel. My first three days felt like a truck ran me over time and again. My 4th day I was already feeling better and a week out, I went back to my normal routine.
I really truly owe it to my husband. He wouldn't let me move. He literally fought me down to stay put. He was on top of me taking my pain meds before I was uncomfortable and my anti nausea meds so I wouldn't throw up... He took care of the kids completely (I have a 3 and a 5yr old).
I truly believe my fast recovery is 100 percent me giving my body a full week of doing absolutely nothing but rest...
I was.sleeved.on Tues 2/14 and the following Monday, I drove my kids to school and was.back to mommy schedule... not at full capacity and I still needed to rest, but I was.more.than okay with basic tasks..

That really helps. I have a very supportive husband and a four year old too. Thank you

[jopayne2 7]

I had my surg last Thursday, and I have not taken even one pain pill since I got home, nor have I needed anything for indigestion. I am shocked!
I do have rumblings in my tummy, but it's not painful. Mostly, I am hungry and have not had a bowel movement since the day of surg! My husband says there is nothing but liquids, so a BMW is not needed?? Anxious to talk to drs off today, Monday.

[jopayne2 7]

BM , not BMW, ha!!

[Berry78 4,261]

Ha!

Go ahead and take some Miralax each day. Even though you are on liquids, you still want to go 2-3 times a week. Your body produces waste even when not eating. (Old dead cells and the like).

[chula82 28]

I was off for 2 weeks because of the holidays but I would have been fine going back after 1 week. I also have a desk job.

[Sullie06 1,013]

I have a desk job as well and took two weeks off. I would not have been able to return after the first week as I was still in pain upon movement and I was not sleeping well. Even during my third week when I was back to work I had a lot of discomfort and I was exhausted. Plus trying to plan meals on a pureed diet when working is not easy. My suggestion is to take the two weeks and then see how you feel. My week 4 I felt great compared to the prior 3 and by 6 weeks I was completely back to feeling like myself.

[Amy N 11]

I had surgery on a Tuesday and went back to work the following Monday. I have a desk job as well. It wasn't the easiest to do, but is definitely possible. I made sure to get up and walk a lot and really didn't have any major issues. Was just tired and weak.

[brownsfan321 12]

I have a pretty laborious job, lot of moving. I went back after 2 weeks, but my surgeon said a lot of people can go back after a week depending on what they do. I think it's really all up to how you are personally feeling, not really a set number of days. You won't have a lot of energy but the more you are up moving and walking the better you will feel post op.