Time off work

[kristin_pasley 45]

I just got approved for the gastric sleeve surgery. I don't have a surgery date yet but we're most likely looking at mid September. I'm getting mixed reviews every time I bring up the amount of time I will need to be off work. My doctor tells me not long, I've asked various people and they tell me anything from a week to 6 weeks. I just wanted to see what others have to say. I know it is dependent on how your body heals, the kind of work you do and how physical your job is. I am a registered nurse, but my job is not physical at all. I don't work in a hospital or nursing home setting so I'm not real worried about that. I have access to a refrigerator and a kitchen area to make sure I eat and drink when I need to. I don't want to go into this with unrealistic expectations. All input is appreciated.

[Carol94303 23]

I work as a academic mentor at a school. I initially requested 2 weeks, but ended up just staying at home for one week. I was so bored I needed to go back. I was not in pain at all I just made sure to have my Water and Protein Shakes with me.

Sent from my SM-G360T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

[sharon23 26]

I'm an administrative assistant, I only took 1 week off. I felt fine after the first few days. For me 1 week was just right. Any longer I would have been bored out my mind.

[tabula 54]

I have a desk job and took 3 days off (includes the 2-days in the hospital) and then the weekend, so Wed - Sun, guess that's 5 total days but was home doing some work remotely, so i could have gone back on Sunday pretty easy.

I work 12-ish hour days and noticed I was tired towards the end of the day so I took it easy the first couple days (8 - 10hrs) but then was back to my regular schedule the next week.

I think energy wise you'll be fine, it's the pain management, I was off of my pain meds by Saturday.

I agree though, sounds like a huge range of experiences and mine felt like it was on the faster side.

Lastly, I had prepared my employer for me to be off a week though, just in case.

[sugz 1]

I had my sleeve done March 4th 2016, I was back home the day after surgery and up doing things the day after that it just depends on your body and how well things go for you I had medical complications the doctors didn't adjust my meds so I had no energy and was passing out meds got adjusted I feel great I just have to watch Foods some things I can eat okay and some things I don't think ill ever eat.

Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

[DaleCruse 756]

I took less than a week off before returning to my office job. I had surgery on a Friday just before a holiday weekend so there was minimal impact. Good luck!

[Lannie 135]

I took 2 weeks off. My doctor required a minimum of 1 week. I was sleeved 6/13 and will return to work on Monday. I feel good and really could have returned to work mid-week.

Allow yourself a minimum of a full week...5 days would have been too soon, but at 7 days, I had significantly more energy.

[Rivka7NV 40]

My doc says the average is 2 weeks for gastric sleeve if it is a desk job. Depending on your age and physical well-being before going into surgery, your time might be less.

[Angie M 26]

I requested 2 weeks using FMLA. This will help me in case I need more time off to recover or to protect myself from any issues arising from multiple follow up doctor appointments.