Worried about too many days out of work & hair loss

Had my surgery in February and no hair loss! I take Bariatric Fusion three times a day and started taking them two months before surgery. Every one is different and I have been very blessed to have had no hair loss.

Brenda

Congratulations on your decision. You've made that all-important first step. Personally, I think you've made the best WLS decision, but that's just me. I love my sleeve. It didn't take long for it to become an important part of me, so to speak.

I won't address the time-off issue. Because of the narure of my job I had to take 6 weeks off before I was released to lift, push, pull very heavy items. But I will say my recovery was amazing. By day 4 I felt great and I felt better and better every day. Some people, tho, don't have such an easy recovery.

As to the hair loss, don't let anyone fool you. There's nothing you can do to prevent or avoid it. Biotin may make your nails and hair look nice but won't stop it from falling out. Mine hasn't started falling out YET. 
http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/telogen_effluvium.html

Protein drinks are very individual. What one person loves, the next one will absolutely hate. And many discover their tastes change after surgery. If it tasted good before surgery you may hate it after. Do some experimenting on your own just to see what's out there and what you like. You may like it afterward, too.  

I so agree with mrshelms.. You need to take time off for heal. I am sure they will survive without you for a week or two.

I have not had my surgery yet, and concider myself a newbie too. But I have read and reread the board daily. It will help you more than anything.
Keep us posted..

One more thing about returning to work. On day 3 you'll still probably be on pain meds. I'll bet that wouldn't bode well at work. You won't even be allwed to drive yet, let alone draw blood for anyone! Take a deep breath. Slow down. Stop anticipating. You're going to be having major surgery. Major surgery. You need to worry about your recovery, not what's going on at work. Even those of us who have an easy recovery still have to heal. 

I was at my hair salon on Friday and one of the hairdressers there had the surgery 6 weeks ago and was back to work in 3 days!  She's lost 32 pounds and is feeling terrific.  She was in the hospital overnight.  She had her surgery at a hospital designated as a center of excellence and she followed all of the pre-op and post-op instructions to the letter. She is 46 yrs. old. Her job wasn't sedentary so maybe that's another reason why she could go back so soon.  Good luck!!!

My surgery is Wed, and originally I scheduled a week off for it. After watching my boss, my sister, and my friend, I decided two weeks would be decent, but thanks to a great boss (who had the sleeve a year ago) a third week is available if I need it!..  and as for protein....preop I'm using Body Fortress from Walmart for replacement shakes...but did get a bunch of sample paks of Nectar, Unjury, and such to try post op. Everyone I know said don't try them pre-op, because that has nothing to do with how they will set in your stomach post op..Good Luck!!
-Pam

Issue is everyone has a different reaction to surgery and you can't just know beforehand. I was planning a week off only but in the end I felt so tired and mostly seating long hours was a big issue for me so I felt I needed 2. the doctor gave me 3 but I think 2 was enough.

you can plan how much you want but you will only know how you will feel after you have the surgery. some people feel they can go back after a few days, others need longer. depends on many factors.

the hair - I hear nothing will stop it from falling if you have the tendency. but - it's temporary. so no worries on my side. mine started on month 3 but now by month 5 i feel it's slowing down already. in the beginning it's a bit scary to see all that hair falling in the shower, but we just take a big breath and remember: it's temporary ;)

protein - edit: before surgery I could drink any kind of protein. that all changed after surgery. I can't have any of the powder ones. I can only drink pre-prepared shakes, the only ones I tolerate are pure protein in cans, and EAS carb free. the other are too heavy and I can't get them in.

EAS carb free is the best! it's light and like drinking water (important after surgery as the heavy ones like muscle milk become hard to drink). the only one I drink. they have it at target.