Work and driving after RNY

Hi Peg, I took 6 weeks off from work, and I am so glad I did because I had a bit of a rough start and needed that time. I have amazing benefits from work and a ton of sick time so it was great for me.  I had a follow up appt with my family doctor 10 days after surgery and I drove myself, its an hour drive one way and I was fine in the car/making lane changes etc.  I only took pain meds for about 4-5 days post op and then stopped.  After driving my car to and from the doctor's when I got home I was exhausted and needed a nap!  It really all depends on how you are feeling post surgery.

You will see hundreds of responses from people who took anywhere from a few days to weeks (like me).  I just didn't "bounce back" right after surgery like a lot of people but that's okay that is my body and I just accepted it.  I am 5.5 months post op and feeling like a million bucks so it was all worth it!

Best of luck on your journey.

Daisy

Thanks, Daisy!  It's so inspirational reading about how great people feel down the road after surgery!!!!

I too am blessed to have great benefits and plenty of days.  Thanks again for the information!

I went back to work after a week. That's all the sick time I had and I didn't want to go unpaid. I worked in an office but also drove and walked throughout the day seeing clients. It was a rough first week back and wish I would have taken 2 weeks. I took a nap every day when I got home that first week. Driving was as soon as I was off pain meds, so about day 5-6

Thanks for the information!  The majority of my work is in the office but I do have to visit schools throughout the work week. Thanks again!  :)

Question for the vets - can't you collect TDI while you are out if you choose to do the 4-6 weeks?  

As has been said, it varies greatly based on your age, ability to heal and so forth.

My wife had surgery the Friday before Thanksgiving.  She is a HS math teacher.  She had the whole next week off and then took another week to recover.  She could have driven sooner, but I drove her till she went back to school.

One test they had said was be able to stomp your foot without pain.  I used pain meds the first night in the hospital and then nothing past the first morning.  I had some abdominal pain, but that was minor.  I took a walk the first night, I could stomp my foot from the beginning I could have driven home from the hospital, but I did not.  I drove to my 1 week follow up and had no issues.  I had surgery on a Tuesday, came home on Thursday and worked from home Friday and the next week and then went back less than 2 weeks after surgery.

I work in an office as a database analyst and had no issues whatsoever.

But 2 weeks is a reasonable cushion.

Thanks!

My doctor said I could drive as soon as I was off pain meds.

I had my surgery last Monday and kind of feel like I could be back at work.  But I am taking off this week as a cushion and so far I am glad that I am doing so.

--Gillian

Thanks!