Time off after surgery?

Surgery date is December 17th - Christmas comes early for me this year! 

During the informational seminars, they said that most people who get the band done laparascopically can go back to work after a few days if you have a desk job (eg.  surgery on Thursday, back to work on Monday).  But I have been browsing the message boards the last couple of weeks and am seeing lots of posts about weakness, fatigue, gas, abdominal pain getting out of bed.....and I'm wondering if that "estimate" takes into account all of the other post-surgery things I will experience. 

I do have a desk job so I don't have any heavy lifting required or a need to move around a lot (shocker huh....I guess that's one of the reasons I'm here now).   But I am concerned about being in the office and having to deal with all the other challenges that come as my body adjusts to the band.  My date is 12/17 and I've decided I won't return to wor****il 12/29. 

Does that sound like a reasonable amount of time?  I have the time off available to me so that's not an issue.  And I have an employer who supports working from home in the event I need that as well. 

I had surgery on a Monday and was back to work the next Monday, more time would have been nice but not necessary.

My first day back to work was Yesterday and I only worked a half day. Had the surgery last Wednesday and thought I would be back on MOnday, big mistake! I think everyone's body is different but I wish I would have blocked more time off of my calendar so I would not have felt so rushed to come back in. I think you taking more time if you have it will be a benefit to you and your recovery!

My vote is if you have the option take the time. Only in America do we expect our  people to jump off the operating room table and head back into the office.  If you have the time,,,take it and treat yourself well. I was going to take one week and my company insisted that i take at LEAST two weeks...isn't that awesome!!!!

I think that sounds like a good idea. I had surgery on a Friday and tried to come back to work on a Tuesday and wound up only working a half day. I had some other issues because of surgery but in a perfect world I would have not tried to come back and would have taken a week off at least.

Best wishes on your surgery!

Hugs!

I was off for 3 weeks. Certainly more time than I needed but I would have hated being on liquids and the issues that came with that for me and being at work. For some people, liquid in, liquid out.

I also had a week of being able to eat under my belt before going back to work. So I already had foods I could eat and knew how to eat them.

I was out for 6 weeks but only because I work in a dialysis clinic and it can require lifting and transferring patients.  If not for that I was more than ready to go back after 3 weeks.

If you have time on the books, take at least 2 weeks. I am a week out and still am sore (not really in a lot of pain but really sore on the right side). I tire very easily and find I nap in the afternoon when I never napped before. I think with the diet change and lack of carbs/sugars in your diet, you don't have the energy. Plus I gave up diet coke..so missing that caffeine too. I am going back to work on the 1st. My surgeon was all for my taking the 2 weeks. She said that having that extra time at home while on liquids was a good thing and gaining back strength. Remember even though this is done laproscopically, it is still major surgery.

My tummy is still pretty swollen and even though I have lost 6-7 pounds, my jeans that were not all that tight before, are still pretty snug around my waist. Everyone is different. Everyone tolerates pain differently and heals at a different pace. If you can take the time, do so.

Just my .02.

Laurie

My job is very physical with lifting involved (I do occupational therapy), so my doc wanted me out the full six weeks to protect the port and prevent a herniation.  My previous job (office manager for mental health clinic) was a desk job with little activity and just light lifiting (charts and such).  If I were still working that job, I think I would've wanted at least two weeks.  I am a little extra sensitive to anesthesia and narcotic pain meds, so I still really didn't well at two weeks out.  I was still very tired and lethargic!  About 3 weeks out, I could say I was feeling more like myself, but the port site was still uncomfortable - as was driving!  Truth is, I still have is port related discomfort and I am 4 weeks out!   

Every person is different, but in general, I think you would do fine with the time you have planned to take!

Good luck!

Well I would say that returning 12/29 and then having some Holiday time off (new Years) will give you a break. I took 10 days, I am an ER RN and I do not have to lift (I am a princess, LOL).I was ready but only went back 2 days then had this week off til tomorrow. Was perfect...I had a plan for 3 weeks off but my date got moved because of OR time so I am exactly where I should be.
Good Luck, A