Question:
How do you deal with post-op side effects while at work?
I am still in the learning about the surgery stage...I am imagining going back to work 2 wks after surgery cause I cannot afford being off any longer, I am on my own. Then while at work in our cardiovascular practice, running to the restroom to vomit. Or...will I even make it to the restroom? And I may have vomiting for mths and/or even years...will I be able to eat lunch at work without all these side effects. Please paint me a picture ! How do you deal with all the side effects and work with others around you and not cause constant comotion of what you are going thru? I work with a bunch of wonderful caring people, and they can sometimes be too protective, and I am wondering how I will be able to hide the side effects so it will not draw their attention away from their job. And the hair loss, has anyone had to purchase a hairpiece or wig? Any help please... — Karla K. (posted on April 14, 2001)
April 13, 2001
I was still on a liquid diet at 2 weeks (actually liquid still at4) but I
can tell you when I returned to work I too was frightened. I ate a lot of
chicken soup and salads! only once did I get sick (ate too fast ate too
much) threw up and then I was fine. Go slow and easy and stay on the soft
side of food for a while. Gas was my biggest problem , so Beno became my
new best friend!! I used the liquid before I ate as the lable suggests. Be
sure to get your liquid protein in you will have more energy and it is so
good for the hair and skin. I paid close attention to everything Michelle
Curran had to say about Vitamins and protein and my doctor and the plastic
surgeon were amazed at the age of fifty one I don't have a line ore a
wrinkle or saggy skin on my face or neck. (thank you vitalady) Those things
will help combat hair loss and also Nioxin shampoo and scalp conditioner
everytime you shampoo will help. They also make booster products if the
loss won't stop, ask your hairdresser. I also recommend getting a good
haircut on a regular basis. it eases the weight of the hair and releaves
tension on the scalp. And don't use rubber bands or anything that will
cause excessive tension on the hair and scalp. Good luck.
— Rose A.
April 14, 2001
I returned to work at 3 weeks and really did not encounter any difficulties
to speak of. My surgical procedure was the Duodenal Switch. I have never
vomited, or felt like I wanted to. During the first couple of months there
were maybe 3 occasions when I thought "Uh oh, I need to get to the
bathroom fast", but there was never a problem (no accidents, no near
misses). I simply got up and went, or excused myself if necessary from a
meeting. No one at work ever noticed any hair loss (although I surely
did!). I do a lot of business lunches, and the only time anything was ever
mentioned were from the people who knew me as a big eater pre-op, wondering
if I could possibly be satisfied with half an entree post-op. The whole
work thing has been a non-event. - Kate -
— kateseidel
April 14, 2001
EXHAUSTION is going to be your biggest foe if you insist on going back to
work after only two weeks! This is a super traumatic surgery and your body
needs a month to recooperate, so two weeks is just plain wrong!!! I truly
doubt you'll be able to pull this off, and if you do, you won't be worth
your pay when you get to work. This is the truth. Now, about side effects
at work, there is just no way to predict this. If you've researched alot,
you know that we are all different. I have never vomited, but some vomit
every time they eat. I don't have a gas problem, but some do (unless I'm
dumping) The hair loss (if you have any) won't occur probably until you
are about 3 months post op. You'll need to be able to eat at your desk, as
it will take you quite a while to eat your pudding, creamed soups, yogurt
and such at 2 weeks post op (unless you have a surgeon who fast-tracks you
to real food). You didn't say what type of surgery you are having or what
style (open or lap) as this will effect your recovery. I hope you are
having lap to return at 2 weeks post, cause you won't make it with open!
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY is the best advice I can give you and follow your
surgeon's directions to the letter. Best wishes and don't try to be
superwoman!
— Cindy H.
April 14, 2001
I went back to work two weeks post op. For the first three weeks I was on
puree/soft diet. After that, I could eat anything. Well, when I went to
work I usually brought safe foods: somethiing Ive had before and went down
well. However there were 2 occassions that I brought in Lean Cuisines.
For some reason, (not true of anyone else but me), Lean Cuisines make me
sick. So one day, after lunch, I went back to my classroom. I asked the
kids to start the assignment on the board. I was green and I think they
knew it because they all behaved. Anyway I tried to sit at my desk for a
while to see if it would go away. It didnt. We arent allowed to leave the
kids in the room alone, so I was kind of stuck. Fortunately, I was the
dean and assistant principal outside my classroom. I walked out without
saying anything to the kids and asked the AP to watched them, I didnt feel
well. I ran through the lounge (full of coworkers)to get to the bathroom.
Once I vomited, I felt a world's better, but my eyes were tearing. I
simply walked out the bathroom and into my classroom. The kids told me
that they thought I got fired because the AP was outside and I was crying.
A little bit later a collegue walks into my class and asks me (in front of
the entire class) if I am pregnant!!! I simply said, "No. I just ate
something that didnt agree with me". Needless to say, I havent eaten
a Lean Cuisine again. Moral of the story: Only bring safe foods to work!
— Jeannet
April 14, 2001
I think Cindy H. was very wrong in her answer to this question...I am not
sure if she met to be so negative, but she was...She kept telling you that
you would not make it and you can not do it...That is totally
false...Everyone is different..I am now 2 weeks post op and I feel
wonderful...I am not tired, I am not sick, and I am able to do everything
on my own....I have a very strenuous job (and I dont find it to be a
problem)...I went back to work the other day and I am having no
problems...So don't believe everything one person says, because sometimes
everyone does not have 4 weeks or 6 weeks to be off from work...So take my
word for it, it will be totally up to you and your body...Try to get as
much rest in the hospital and when you first get home....I think you will
be fine and I am living proof that at 2 weeks post-op, you can feel
absolutely WONDERFUL....
Good Luck
— Ang B.
April 14, 2001
I just wanted to say thanks to Karla for asking this question, because it's
something I'm concerned about, too. Thank you Angie for your firsthand
response. It's good to hear that someone is doing well so soon after
surgery and I hope that will be me. HOWEVER, I also have to agree with
Cindy. You can make all the plans you want, but your body will tell you
what you can and cannot do. I had my spleen out a few years ago after a
major illness and I was in bed for six weeks. I don't even remember the
first three weeks! I think everyone's body is different. I, for one, am
going to plan to only take two weeks off of work. However, if my body says
"no", I'm going to listen and maybe work half days or take a few
days off. The last thing any of us needs is to end up back in the hospital
with a hernia or exhaustion because we started back too soon. No one can
tell you what will work for your body because everyone's experience is
different. I just hope that more of us can be like Angie--running around
and feeling full of energy two weeks out! :)
— PT LawMom
April 14, 2001
Karla, Just thought I'd toss my 2 cents in. As you can see from these posts
everyone is different, no two experiences will be alike. I needed 3 weeks
off after open RNY but someone else on here felt great and had lots of
energy at 2 weeks post op. The biggest key is to listen to your body and
don't push yourself. If your surgery is far enough away perhaps you could
save up some money that would be equivalent to one or two weeks pay. That
way if you had to take unpaid leave you'd have the money without worrying.
On to the side effects, I am 4 months post op (returned to work on the 4th
week post op) and so far I've had
only one problem and that was a sudden case of the "doped up
sleepies" because I ate something with too much fat. I've never gotten
sick at work or had sudden bathroom urges. But then like I said everyone
will experience this differently. The key is to pay attention to what
you're eating, don't eat something new at work...try it at home first. My
hair loss has been very minimal so far (knock wood!) but I cut it in a
short layered style shortly after surgery so any hair loss wouldn't be as
noticeable. Just remember to get your protein in and drink plenty of water,
take along some snacks to keep at your desk.
You'll be fine. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or just
want to talk. If you find you can't save enough money and you have to be
out longer w/o pay, email me and I'll see what I can do. I don't want that
to be your obstacle for this surgery and I certainly don't think you need
to worry over it, you have bigger fish to fry! God bless!
— Stephanie D.
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