Question:
What is the quickest that anyone has returned to work after lap RNY?

   — shelbabyrn (posted on August 12, 2003)

August 12, 2003
I have a job with desk work and a little walking and I went back 1 week postop. I was also a "lightweight" with BMI= 42. Good luck, MJC
   — Manuel C.

August 12, 2003
I had open on June 19th went back to work on June 30th. I have an office job.
   — carla S.

August 12, 2003
I had a second hospitalization due to chest pain caused by gas from lap surgery after one week, but I went back after 3 weeks with no problem. I was not a "lightweight". I had a BMI of 59 and I weighed 369 the day of surgery.
   — LLStroud

August 12, 2003
I was off work for two weeks plus three days. The three days was because my surgery was on a Thursday. I took the day before off because of the bowel prep. I didn't want to deal with that at work.
   — ckreh

August 12, 2003
I went back to work in 3 weeks full time, with some fatigue but otherwise it was fine.
   — Happy I.

August 12, 2003
I went back to work in 3 weeks full time, with some fatigue but otherwise it was fine.
   — Happy I.

August 12, 2003
I was bored and ready to go back to work after a week, but then I started some light exercise and was pretty pooped out. I started back yesterday, 2 weeks out.
   — bethybb

August 12, 2003
Hi, I went back to work on the 10th day post op... had my surgery on a Friday and went back a week from the following monday. I had lap rny, a bmi of 47 and am a teacher. I was fine, just needed more sleep (like 9 or 10 hours per night) or a nap for a few weeks. I never had any problems or any pain.I was very good about my water and protein.... Maureen
   — Maureen R.

August 12, 2003
I had an open rny and went back to work in 6 weeks. My girlfriend at work had the lap and was back to work full duty in 3 weeks. We are both certified nursing asst. which if you don't know involves a lot of lifting and bending. Pretty physically demanding job. That is the difference between the two procedures plain and simple. Oh and she didn't need ANY of her pain medication when she left the hospital.....lol I on the other hand needed a refill.....lol hope i was able to help..debbie
   — deborah D.

August 12, 2003
I had surgery on a Friday and went back to work monday morning.. I missed 1 day of work. Nobody knew had WLS...nobody could tell I didn't feel too whippy. It is a go...if you want to bad enough.
   — lee J.

August 12, 2003
I have home daycare, 6 kids. My surgery was on a tuesday, 10/22/02, and I took the remainder of that week off. The following week my husband stayed home and did all the lifting. So after 1 1/2 weeks I was back on my own. I did get to nap while the kids did and that was a blessing.
   — Tawnda C.

August 12, 2003
I had my lap RNY done on Tuesday, and back to work at an office job on the following Monday, only got in a 1/2 day because I was so tired, but after that full days. It really depends on you and how much you can tolerate. Good Luck.
   — Terri B.

August 12, 2003
I had OPEN RNY (14 inch incision) and was back to work 1/2 days, 10 days post op and full days 17 days post op. It should be easier with lap. Good luck!
   — SMG I.

August 12, 2003
A lot will depend on the type of work you do. I have an office position and returned to work in 8 days with absolutely no problems. I don't even think that anyone knew I had had surgery :-) My daughter taught 3-yr-old pre-schoolers and returned to work 14 days after her lap RNY. She experienced more fatigue than normal at the end of her workdays, but otherwise had no problems. We both observed our surgeon's instructions not to lift more than 15 lbs. for six weeks and did not drive until we we were no longer taking any pain medications (about 3-4 days post-op). Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

August 13, 2003
I'm 47, have a desk job. I went back to work 10 days after surgery, full time, with no problems. I probably could have gone back earlier, but I had made a list of some little jobs to get done around the house before I went back, and I wanted to get them done. (Clean the junk drawer(s), wash pillows, etc.)
   — koogy

August 15, 2003
I'm in AWE of some of you ... I had lap rny and was off work for FOUR weeks and even then when I returned it was difficult for several weeks after that. I have had an ongoing problem with EXTREME back pain since the surgery - the WLS part of the surgery seemed to heal quite well.
   — Allee Z.

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