This is really bugging me...a rant

It really takes a year to get over the effects of any major surgery.  There will be lots of good days, but there will be one morning about a year out when you suddenly feel completely healed. 

I went back to work in a week and resumed my routines, but it was really a year until I felt "normal" again.  I have found that to be true with any surgery I have had.  The body heals at its own pace.

I was cleared to drive, return to work and normal routine the day I was released from he hospital.  Of course, I didn't lift more than 10 lbs and followed the guidelines.  I took 2 weeks off work because I work a relatively physical job. I don't think I could have stood anymore lying around. It felt good to be back to work. It helped clear my head and body of the effects of anesthesia, and being physical was the best feeling. I was happier than I'd been in a long time and still am!

Then you're the exception to the rule. Major surgery makes most folks feel like doggie-do for several weeks. Add the fact that most post-ops also have weeks, even MONTHS where they're eating very little...well, no one should be surprised that they're tired for a while.

For me, I felt like the 2 week mark was a turning point. If I'd comtinued to stay home, it would have become more difficult to become active again. I asked my Drs physicians asst how long I should expect to be out of work and she told me 2 weeks was sufficient for most. I stayed active from the beginning, tho. I had surgery on Friday, and went to a group meeting the following Wednesday. I went to shopping several times in the two weeks I was home. I believe staying active helped me heal faster. I certainly didn't need to settle into sedentary after surgery. 

I pushed my surgery ahead because I had vacation scheduled.  I wanted to be on Solid food prior to our cruise.  I spent a day and a half in the hospital.  I talked to the Nurse and although she pushed us a little toward staying a second night we went home.  That night for about 4 hours was the peak of the pain I felt after the surgery.  It was uncomfortable, but for only 4 hours.  Then I fel****er logged/bloated for most of a week.  I was lucky, it went very well.

I had to work the day after I left the hospital.   My customer needed some help so I worked a half of a day, was careful and as soon as I could I went home to rest.  I took the next 2 days off and then returned to work on Friday.  I have had very little issues since the surgery.  I have only found one thing so far that I had liked to eat that bothers me. 

My wife who had the surgery an hour after me, took 2 weeks off .  So, I realize not everyone is like me. 

  We all recover differently.  If I was to offer advice to someone looking into surgery, it would be to hope you have no issues and are able to return to work early, BUT plan on the worst.  Take the vacation time, that way you can have the time off and your employer has someone setup to cover your work load.  If you feel good and want to return to work, most companies will allow you back with a doctors consent. 

I'm like you, but I do think we are exception.   I have not needed a big change in lifestyle after any of my surgeries - but just by this thread, we are clearly not the norm!

I can't imagine having told my 11 month old son that mum needed 8 weeks off LOL!  I think it's needs must - if someone can afford to take 8 weeks off, then have at it - if you need to get back to week after a weekend off, then that's what you have to do!

We are not all equal in our experiences or our obligations

You are not an invalid because you had surgery, my surgeon was a firm believer i getting back to normal right away.  I went back to work after open rny within three weeks with no restrictions.  After my recent 10 days worth of hospitalization I went back to work the day after I was released from bile duct surgery.

Was the bile duct surgery because of having too much vitamin C from all of the lemons?

You should maybe sound a little more supportive. It shouldn't bug you, or you shouldn't need to "rant." It is scary for some people, you don't know what to expect until you have been there. And everyone recovers differently. I think maybe a friendly post warning people of what to maybe expect afterwards would come across much nicer and helpful than a rant.

I felt I got hit by a mack truck after Lap RNY and looked like it too according to my friends .  I had to take at least 5 weeks off though there were a few fires to put out that couldn't wait .  I brought Bolton Farms vanilla Chai tea protein shake to t hose meetings and a driver t o bring me back and forth .

Personally I would never schedule a vacation after WLS ... but I supose a cruise is sedentary enough to recover quietly in your room.  What do you do with all the food though ?  Why cruise when youre feeling bad ?