Question:
GOING TO HAVE RNY IN JAN HOW MUCH TIME DO U TAKE OFF FROM WORK?
DO U WALK FINE AFTER SURGERY OR DO U HAVE TO HOLD ON TO THINGS? — bage09 (posted on December 30, 2009)
December 30, 2009
I have been reading several posts and they say you have to walk to prevent
bloodclots .Also some say that its not that painful .I am sure everyone has
different pain tolerances.I go see my surgeon on Tuesday to discuss when I
will be having my surgery and yes I am very anxious.I am sure you will be
fine with your goodluck!
— davonjack
December 30, 2009
I felt GREAT after my laparoscopic RNY surgery, and I only missed 8 days of
work. I would have only missed 5, but I got an infection in the incision
site where my JP drain was, and it would make a mess on my clothing several
times a day without any forewarning. So, I waited until the day after they
pulled the drain to go back to work. I was full of energy, and didn't have
any pain to speak of... was just a tiny bit sore, as if I'd been doing lots
of sit ups. When they have you up walking in the hospital, you use a tall
walker with padding that fits around you and up almost to your armpits, and
you reach out in front of you and hold on to these handles. It is equiped
with an oxygen tank, and they hook your nasal tubing to it while you walk
for at least the first couple of days. Man, with that thing, I was zipping
around the halls so fast that they had to tell me to slow down because my
heart rate went up higher than they liked.
— Erica Alikchihoo
December 30, 2009
The first week was tough - insomnia, not so much pain, but time is needed
to heal! I was driving after about 7 days, although they say to wait two
weeks...The more time off the better to get used to your new lifestyle.
You need to sip fluids all day long and make sure you get in plenty of
protein. Walking was key - at least 10-15 min. every hour or so to prevent
blood clots. Good luck - you will be in my prayers!
— ericahamel
December 30, 2009
I took off three weeks.
— FSUMom
December 30, 2009
I had open RNY in May 2009. I was up and walking right after the surgery. I
made myself get up and walk. The more you walk the better. At first I could
only walk out to the nurses stations but as time went on I could make a
couple laps around the floor. I was not walking fast but I was at least
walking. After I got home I continued to walked. I believe this helped a
lot in my recovery. As far as pain goes everyone is different. I was in
pain for a few days but it was worth it. I took six weeks off from work. It
takes time to get your energy level back up. Even after six weeks my energy
level was not back to normal. I also do a lot of traveling for work and my
DR didn't want me to sit in my car driving very long with out moving around
due to bloodclots. Good luck.
— dsquire
December 30, 2009
I had LAP/RNY and was off work 3 weeks. Even though I felt great right
after the surgery I had a friend remind me that it was still major surgery!
That's probably the only negative about lap surgery. My PCP wants lap
surgeons to paint a big incision mark on her patient's bellys as a reminder
that this surgery is major! Good luck to you. I know you'll be fine. Also,
I couldn't drive the first week primarily because of the pain meds.
— Muggs
December 30, 2009
When I had my Lap RNY in July 2009, my recovery was slow compared to the
other posts to this question. I think that my dismay was largely caused by
two factors, one I had never had surgery and thought it was going to be
like a bad cold - over with in a short while as long as I rest and drink
fluids. The other reason was posts like the others above....I had not
really read about folks with bad experiences and so never expected the
same. I am very healthy. Anyway, I was very weak and was concerned about
returning to work even after 6 weeks off. It worked out fine however, I
just took it slow at first and little by little I was able to cope with
getting up, out, and through the work day. Give yourself as much time as
possible. Even if you feel good, take the time to celebrate the new you and
your new lifestyle. God bless you and happy new year to all!
— browngathers
December 30, 2009
I had RNY Nov 17th. I have an extremely high pain tolerance and always
recuperate quickly. That said, I did not anticipate my total energy
depletion. That has stymied me. I say every day if I had to go to work,I
do not know what I would do. Nevertheless, I don't think the recovery is
difficult. I hope you have the same energy after surgery that most people
do. I unfortunately didn't and was not prepared for that. Best Wishes
— dasie
December 31, 2009
I took 6 weeks off, but the first two weeks after returning to work, I
really wasn't functioning well. I had no energy and could not focus. Then
week 8 I was back to normal.
So I think your answer is who knows?? I thought I would only be out 3
weeks, because that was how long it took me to recover from Gall Bladder
surgery. This was way different for me.
I really think it has to do with your age too. I am 47. I think if you
are younger you recover faster. But that is just my opinion.
— kellyskomments
December 31, 2009
For me, I walked fine, just a little slow. I took 2 weeks off from work
and really only needed one. But I was a little tired mid day, so take it
easy if you can when you go back to work. the anesethia will stay with you
for awhile and if you can, try to walk often. Your abdoman will feel like
you had just done about 5,000 sit ups.
— Kristy
December 31, 2009
I had lap RNY, and wanted out of that bed to walk first thing when I woke
up, it felt great to walk! After the first week, all my gas and bloating
was gone, 2nd week have felt great! I wouldn't think you need to hold on
to anything unless you are drugged up or something. Unless you needed
walking assistance before surgery. That might be your only obstacle, but
if it's not heavy lifting and such, I would say you could go back the 2nd
or 3rd week
— eyeflirt4fun
December 31, 2009
THANKS GUYS FOR UR ANSWERS HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
— bage09
December 31, 2009
I had surgery on friday and went home on monday .... no pain meds, took 2
weeks off but was feeling well enough to go back sooner.
— MarthaJ0110
December 31, 2009
I had first surgery slot on a thursday morning and I went back to work the
following Friday...so 8 days. Don't know if this is the norm but I stayed
in the hospital for four days,so I came home on Sunday afternoon. The first
week you need to rest and just get used to the new eating pattern because
you won't be able to eat very much. I remember I was realy worried about
eating so little, but not to worry it works out you wll be fine.
— gagini
December 31, 2009
I'm only taking off 10 work days or two weeks only 9 of those are
surgical/sick days. My surgery is on Tues,go home Wed (if all goes well)
post op appt the following Wed then back to work the following Monday.
Might be ambitious and I think it depends on what you do for a living
because you still can't lift and need to be careful.
— kmom1420
December 31, 2009
I was back to work in 4 days, BUT I work from home for a software developer
as a Community Manager for one of our customers and it's all done on the
computer. If I would have had to get up and go OUT to a job, I probably
would have been off work for a couple of weeks. While I didn't have any
pain -- other than the bloated discomfort from the abdominal gas -- I found
that my energy level those first two weeks post op was low. I would have
to take a 2 hour break during the course of my work day to lie down and
take a nap. I went back to the gym at 5 days post op to get in 1/2 hour on
the treadmill and 20 minutes on the NuStep to help me get back into my
routine and aid the weight loss. But getting back into a normal routine
seemed to help get the energy level up. Everyone is different on how they
tolerate pain and their energy level. But getting in your walks will help
not only in the prevention of blood clots, it will increase your stamina to
ward off the exhaustion and raise your energy level.
— Mountain Mama
January 4, 2010
You don't say what you do for a living. I have a desk job and was back to
work part time in a week and full time at 2 weeks. As for the walking, my
dad is a surgeon and he dragged me out of bed about 30 minutes after I woke
up and made me walk the halls, I got out of the hospital the next morning.
My recovery was extremely fast and my doctor claims that it was because I
was up and walking constantly after surgery. Make yourself get up even if
it hurts (if it hurts ask for more pain meds) the movement really helps!
It will make all the diference in the world to your recovery. Good luck!
— brindledanes
January 10, 2010
I have a desk job (systems analyst) and I had my RNY surgery on Monday and
I was able to be back at my desk the following Monday. Missed a total of
five days. Was out of the hospital on Wed, went to the doctor for follow up
on Thursday and went to the movies on Friday afternoon. Found this to be
not at all difficult.
— rkurquhart
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