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How long before you returned to work?



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So I made the first step today and called the surgeon's office. My insurance officially takes over January 1st of next year so I have a little bit of waiting time to go but they said I could fill out the paperwork. The woman who helped me was really nice and I'm really excited.

She said with my BMI I did not have to do the weight loss program but I do have to do the psychiatric evaluation.

I've heard some people say that they go back to work within one week but are not supposed to lift more than 10 pounds. I'm a teacher preschool and I'm wondering how long did it take or how long did they say for it take before you could go back to work? Has your doctor is giving you any advice of when you should go back?

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My job gave me a paid month off so I took it.


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I was also fully paid and took 3 weeks off. I probably could have gone back in 2 weeks and would have been fine. You are generally tired for awhile after, take what you feel you can and need

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My surgeon wanted me off for 6 weeks. I'm about 2 1/2 weeks post op right now, and I feel like I could probably go back to work next week if I had to, but I'm using this time to get used to my new relationship with food.

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I have a very sedentary desk job and my surgeon ok'd me to return to work after a week, if I am feeling up to it. I am planning on taking 10 days off and may only work half days for my first week back.

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I took 6 weeks off after surgery. Physically (aside from fatigue), I could probably have gone back after 2-3 weeks if I would have had to, but I took the time to devote myself 100% to meeting my Protein and Water goals and to work through the first 3/4 of the food stages. The fatigue was significant for 8 weeks post-op. Even my first 2 weeks back to work, I struggled with it.

My advice is to take as much time as your personal, professional, and financial situations will allow.

Good luck!

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I had planned to go back to work after one week - sleeved on 4/26 and back at my desk on 5/3. I figured being young and healthy would mean a quick and easy recovery. I wasn't totally right about that assessment... I have a follow-up appointment on 5/3 so I'll talk with my doctor then, but my new plan is for Sunday 5/7. I have an office job that doesn't have any real physical demands, but I'm still in a good amount of pain and struggling to get enough food and liquid in any given day. Sometimes the thought of needing to eat or drink makes me a little queasy.

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I have an office job and took 2.5 weeks off. The first few days back were a little rough due to fatigue.

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I was sleeved April 4 and I just went back to working at home for a week and am allowed to work in ththe office next week. I took short term disability and it is worth it because I feel like I have a better understanding of food I can and can not eat.


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5 days later


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I'm a teacher and went back after two weeks, but that was a mistake. I should have taken at least three weeks. I ended up having to take a day off mid week because it was just too much. Looking at the big picture now, I should've just taken the third week and healed some more.


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I waited 5 weeks and only because my job was pressuring me, I would have taken the extra week as my doctor recommended 6. The first 4 weeks were hard and the fatigue got the best of me. You need some time to get used to your diet. Take as much time as you can afford.


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I'm confused... my doctor said he will recommend a week but I could go back in a couple of days if I felt up to it. Friends who had the wls done said they were aoK the next day. ... is this something other than the sleeve we're talking about?


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