Recovery Question

[CURIOUS CAREN 0]

I will be banded on 9/5... I plan on returning to work on the following Monday. Just wondering how many others did the same, and how it worked out for you.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I think it depends on how physical your job is. If it's pretty sedentary and you are like me, you'll be fine!

I was banded 8/29 and am going back to school today (as a student)

Honestly I just looked at a calendar...I'd give myself an extra day or two, even IF your job is sedentary. And if yours is like my jobs always were, when you get back there will be stress from work piled up etc.

So I vote don't go back until Tues or Weds if you have an easier office type job, longer if it is more rigorous!

[jmegirl 2]

I don't mean to be a "Negative Nancy" or anything, but I've heard that you need at least a week to get back to normal everyday activities. I honestly don't think you'll be able to wear your work clothes come Monday, because your incision sites will be too sore. If you have to do anything more than sit at a desk all day, then you might be in for some tough times!

I'm having my surgery on a Wednesday and not returning to work until the following Thursday. Thankfully, my employer is allowing me to take sick time for this. Technically, "cosmetic surgery" isn't covered. :tt2:

I'm interested to see replies from others who have "been there, done that".

[MissWilde 0]

I was banded on a thursday and went back to work on the monday but only for a half day! I have quite a sedantry office job although i felt fine physically the worst of it was the tiredness!

[Hollie519 1]

I also went back to work on the Sunday after my surgery. i was out driving around the day after surgery because I was so bored. My surgeon said you only need a 3 day recovery. i know I am young so i heal faster, but this was the advice that he has given all his patients. Unless you are a special case.

[MarySJ 0]

I had my surgery done on a Friday and went back Tuesday. I probably was well enough to go back on Monday, but the incision spots were still pretty sore and I wasn't looking forward to my dress slacks rubbing the sore spots.

If you can take another day, I would.

[momcof3 1]

I was banded on 8/26/08 and had planned on going back to work today - one week afterward. But I ended up staying home. I have to drive 20 miles each way to work and sit at a desk all day. I am feeling pretty good but it is uncomfortable and gets painful to sit straight up for long periods of time. I tried just taking a Tylenol yesterday and didn't have a nap and by evening I was in pain and feeling weak.

I would take at least a week off if you can and then play it by ear.

[aubrie 6]

I don't think Lap Band surgery is considered "cosmetic" surgery. Most of us have very real medical problems as a result from our obesity, and are having this done to lengthen our lives, and help us become healthy again. The improvement in our physical appearance is just icing on the cake. Most of our medical insurance policies would not cover it if it were purely cosmetic.

I took off of work for a week and a half 10 days total. It was a little more difficult than I thought, and needed all 10 days, but everyone is different. Make sure that you can take the extra time just in case you need it. You will be very sore.

[evybk 0]

I to was banded on a friday and went back to work on mon. I work as an office manager for an a/c company, so it wasn't to bad. I will tell you i was so ready to go home at the end of the day . I was very tired. Other then that it was okay. I had my surgery in late june of this year.

[Hollie519 1]

I was working in a hectic photography place. They were trying to get all the Senior pictures done for about 10 different high schools before year book deadline. They wouldn't even let me go to the bathroom after during my 6 hour shift. Even than, I was fine. But again, I am younger than all of you.

[angiegood 0]

I had surgery n Friday and went back on Monday. I drive 50 miles one way, sitting and driving for so long made me very sore. I have a desk job and sitting all day was very uncomfortable, without pain meds. If you can give yourself an extra day or so. I felt really tired and drained until about a week post-op. Good Luck.

[thesuse2000 698]

I was banded on a Tuesday and didn't go back to work until the following Monday - almost a full week off. I think I could have gone back earlier if it wasn't for the bad diarrhea I had from around day 4 through 8. That was a little rough the first couple days back at work and then it got better.

Also - I was just tired and also kind of preoccupied with the band and obsessively reading about it online - so I had a hard time really focusing at work for at least another week.

It's not crazy to think you could go back that soon, but you might want to have the option to stay home for another couple days if possible.

[kristenmh 68]

banded on a thursday and was supposed to go to work on monday -- i ended up taking an extra day off. keep in mind, i ended up having a hiatal hernia repair so my recovery was slightly longer than most.

[jmegirl 2]

I don't think Lap Band surgery is considered "cosmetic" surgery. Most of us have very real medical problems as a result from our obesity, and are having this done to lengthen our lives, and help us become healthy again. The improvement in our physical appearance is just icing on the cake. Most of our medical insurance policies would not cover it if it were purely cosmetic.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound like I thought it was cosmetic surgery! My HR person said that since my decision to have a lap band was my own decision and was not supported by a doctor (I'm a 38 BMI and therefore do not qualify by insurance) that the weight-loss surgery was considered "cosmetic". It actually sort of hurt my feelings and angered me to hear her say that.

[CURIOUS CAREN 0]

Thanks to all of yall for the helpfull advice. I have a pretty easy desk job, that is low stress. I will shoot for Monday and see what happens. Woo Hoo, just a few more days. I am getting a little nervous now.