How much time off?

Hey, I'm sure this has been asked before, but how much time did you take off work after your VSG? I work at a job where I'm up and about quite a bit (a para) so it might be an issue if I have trouble walking. If that's the case I'm sure my boss would accommodate me, but I also don't want to screw up my recovery. My surgery is on a Tuesday and I was just planning on taking the rest of the week of and going back the next Monday, is that crazy? I know it varies from person to person, so I will be sure to bring it up at my pre op appt. Thanks for your advice!

I would personally plan for more, but know you can take less if you feel up to going back in. I had surgery over my summer break, but I was ready to resume normal life after about a week and a half. My biggest issue was general weakness from the fact that I was consuming SO few calories (like 300 a day on a GOOD day). You're right though. It varies for every person.

I am a teacher, so on my feet an average of 7500-10,000 steps per day in classroom.  I went back at 14 days with no difficulty.  1 week is not much time...

My surgery is on a Tuesday as well, and I was planning to go back the following Tuesday after my food progression class. However, I have a desk job so I won't be up walking much which is why I figured a week would be enough.

Thank for your advice. I think I may have to rethink this and take more time off. I don't want to push things.

If you were in a sitting job then I would say that was enough but I have worked as a para before and you are going to be dog tired each and every night.  Even if you take a couple weeks off, you are still going to be very tired each night.  Use your time off to try and build your strength up by walking a lot.  You might consider half days and see how you do with that and then go to full days if you can make it work.

My surgery is on Jan 14th and I'm taking 2 weeks off and then working from home for a week.  So all in all, I will be out of the office for 3 weeks.

Thanks everyone! You are so correct, I think I'm just going to have to apply for FMLA and take unpaid leave. I was trying to avoid that, but oh well. Id rather be healthy.

I work a desk job and my surgeon recommended 2 weeks. However, walking is a good thing. It really helps, however what you can't control is how exhausted you are so early out. Even when you start to feel great you can get really tired very quickly. It is normal after major surgery, part of the process. I ended up being out 4 weeks total because my husband told my Dr that he didnt feel I was ready to return at 2 weeks and that was enough for her to keep me out. She figured if my husband said something about it then he knew me best, I was too busy worrying about "work". Hopefully you have short term disability coverage and you will be covered since this is a covered surgery. 

Best of luck!

My doc recommended 6 weeks so that is what I filed short term disability for. I actually returned to work remotely at 4 weeks after my doc signed me back in for that. My brain came back after 2 weeks but I was glad to have the 6 weeks away from the office to manage food and not answer questions as to why I was eating pureed stuff. I came back on softs, which was easier to disguise.

Also, don't underestimate the value of having time to get used to your new schedule and way of eating.

Laurie