Recovery time for RNY Gastric Bypass

[lingre 54]

I am waiting on my surgery date but trying to come up with timeframe to plan to be out of work. Can I get some real life time out of work timelines - for Gastric Bypass RNY specifically? I work a desk job and can potentially work from home when needed too. I want to get back to work as quickly as possible as I am trying to just take PTO and not a formal leave. Don’t really want to have to tell anyone why am out out of the office because I don’t want to raise any alarms or deal with any judgement on my decision. I had my gallbladder out back in May and was incredibly tired and cloudy headed for almost 3 weeks after...maybe it will be similar to that recovery? My surgeon made it sound like the recovery would be similar but said most do better with this surgery because they are actually excited and much knife motivated about getting back to normal much quicker. Would love to hear all sorts of experiences!

[Briswife15 890]

Hi. I took off 4 weeks for my gastric bypass, but could have returned after 3 weeks. I was still napping in the afternoon. I also have a desk job, and I just told work I was having "surgery" and didn't say what kind. I think 2 weeks would be pushing it, but there are hardy folks on here who have taken less time than that. Good luck!

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[elcee 3,341]

Everyone is different

I was in hospital for 5 days.

When I went home I felt as though I had been hit by a bus, I was really tired , no energy and also had a weird dizzy feeling. The dizzy feeling eventually went but it was related to an ear problem ( not sure if it was a blockage , infection or because of fat loss in the ears) that lasted a month.

Im lucky I don’t work but if did I would have struggled to go back for at least 3 weeks, possibly longer.

[lingre 54]

Thank you for the info on your recoveries!

[KarenLR75 515]

Since you can work remotely/from home, that is a big benefit. I work remotely and went back to work the same day of surgery (at night). I did take 1/2 the day off the next day to 'sleep in', but since we had huge deadlines at work, that next day I started what would end up to be a 75-78 hr work week.

If I had to drive in to work and/or had a more labor intensive job, I would have taken at least 3 or 4 days off.

[april042019 105]

I took a week off. I was tired and couldn't move too much at first but it was bearable.

[ZGal 84]

My doctor said he had people go back after 2 weeks and others were asking for a note for work so they could take more time, even after 4 weeks. I drive a lot for work, and don’t carry anything heavier than my purse. My dr said as long as I was comfortable driving and not on the pain meds, I would be fine to go back to work.

I took 1 week off before going back. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY though I did have to take a couple sick days during the first 2 months because my body was still healing.

Best of luck!

[nursenays 57]

I was scheduled off 6 weeks but ended up being off 7 because of the pain and issues.

[MinnieSD 35]

I took 8 days off work and was told that I shouldn’t drive for at least 2 weeks. I also have a desk job predominantly but I wish I had taken longer. I’m just over 3 weeks out from my surgery and am still very tired with very little energy. If I were you I would look to take 3 weeks if possible and don’t push yourself. Some people I know have taken 6 weeks off but it’s all very personal and how active you were before surgery too.

[important2b2 4]

2-3 weeks home from work

[ahillig 136]

I was off for a week and it was just fine for me. I actually started a new job the week after surgery and just spent some time doing desk based stuff but was back to doing my job at week 2. I had a very active job prior to surgery so that helped prepare me for sure. I was driving 5 days after surgery as I was off narcotics and my only restriction was to be off narcotics and be able to safely operate a vehicle in an emergency situation.

[KateBruin 344]

So I don’t work because I’ve had illness after illness. First diagnosed with hashis, then popcorn lung, and ankylosing spondylitis. Then I had sleeve 2017 and bypass this past April. It took weeks for me to feel human. I spent 1 night in the hospital and left with drains. first patient to only stay a night! The drain was gross and I went to urgent care for them to change bandages until it was removed 4 days later. The drain is just gross. I probably would have requested a month off work if I had an office job. The biggest thing was I was exhausted. Slept like 20 hrs a day for weeks and got severely depressed.

[NYJenn 1,463]

Maybe take a week, work a week from home and then go back

[BarbM 14]

Hi. I took off 4 weeks for my gastric bypass, but could have returned after 3 weeks. I was still napping in the afternoon. I also have a desk job, and I just told work I was having "surgery" and didn't say what kind. I think 2 weeks would be pushing it, but there are hardy folks on here who have taken less time than that. Good luck!

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I took a week off and worked a little more than a week from home

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[lingre 54]

I attempted to go back to work at 9 days post-op and it was a little rough for me. I ended up working from home so I could stay in pjs and take naps when needed. I am now set to officially go into the office tomorrow morning for the first time since surgery (13 days post-op) and a little concerned I cannot make it a full day without napping. I also am having a tough time sitting in a desk chair right now as I think it is pushing on incisions. Every day is getting better, so we will see how it goes! Send me all the good juju to make it through the day.