Question:
How long where you gone from work?
I'm strongly considering this surgery...and I was wondering how much recovery time is there?...I've read that most patients stay in the hospital about 4 days after surgery..but how long till you can return to work...I am a receptionist if that is applicable to yalls answers.. — Ashley M. (posted on July 20, 2001)
July 20, 2001
Two weeks. I also have a desk job. I think I could have probably gone
back after one week. The only problem was my work clothes. My bra rubbed
against the top of the incision which was uncomfortable...and I just
couldn't face climbing into pany hose.
— Anne G.
July 20, 2001
I have an office job also and had and open RNY on 6/26. I had no
complications but will be off of work for at least 6 weeks. If you have
paid leave take off as long as you can because just when you think you are
feeling better it starts gong downhill again. Your body will need all of
the rest it can get and driving will be a challenge for awhile. Good Luck!
— ROBIN R.
July 20, 2001
Remember that each of is so different in how we respond to surgery and
heal, but I went back to a fairly sedentary job at three weeks following an
open-RNY on 6-19-01. I only went back two days for the first week though
and this week I worked 3 days. Am I tired? Yes, but it felt good to be
going back to work. If I don't work, I don't get paid as I am considered
part-time. If I had paid time off I probably would have taken a few more
weeks. Good Luck!
— Molly S.
July 20, 2001
I am a new post-op and am still at home. I took 2 full weeks off of work. I
have completed my first week off and feel well but am very exhausted. I
would make sure that you feel like you can complete eight hours of
"fun" at work before trying to get back.
I also was afraid of how my eating will be so I want to get a schedule down
first and stick to it before going back to work.
— arebella
July 21, 2001
A lot will depend on whether you have an open or lap surgery. With my lap
RNY, I had a 2 day hospitalization and returned to a full-time office
position 8 days post-op. My daughter returned to teaching a classroom full
of rowdy 4 year-olds 14 days after her lap RNY. We both tired easily, but
were functional and had no problems. If you listen to your body, it will
tell you when to move ahead and when to hold back. I think it's critical
to get enough rest and sleep post-op, no matter which type of procedure you
may have....and be very careful to comply with your surgeon's restrictions
regarding lifting. You are going to have the rest of your life to enjoy
the benefits of this surgery....be good to yourself during those first few
weeks post-op. Good luck!
— Diana T.
May 16, 2005
I Thought that I would be one of those people that would bounce back
quickly and be back to work in a couple of weeks. Now 6 weeks later, I am
just now returning to work. I am working 1/2 days for the first week back.
Today I went in for 4 hours and when that 4 hour mark struck, I was ready
to go lay down and rest. I went home and felt sick for 3-4 hour. I dry
vomited several times and just could not shake the discomfort. No matter
what my head said, my body refused to follow. I said that I would breeze
through this surgery and be one of the true success cases.....I am still
waiting!!!
Do not go back to work until you can handle it. There is federal law out
there to protect workers under the Family Medical Leave Act. Just like
parental leave, you are guaranteed your job for 12 weeks. (they don't have
to pay you while you are out, unless you have time saved up, but they do
have to hold your job for you). Anyway, there is my 2-cents worth.
— Marie D.
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