How soon to go back to work?

Hi guys, I am getting ready for my surgery and I have talked to my surgeon and he says that I could go back to my desk job in as early as 5 days.  I have already planned this at work and plan on going back as soon as I can since I need the money.  I am just wondering how long everyone else has taken to get back to work.  I only do computer work and I have flexability with being able to have my drinks and things I'll need there at work but I just am starting to get nervous that I'm not planning for enough time off.  i was sure after my initial group consult and then my discussion with my surgeon that 5 days was enough.

I took 3 weeks.  I had surgery 9/9/11 and to be honest,  theres noway i could ahve went back in 5 days and i have had an uneventful experience.  Your going to be very tired , and weak the first 2 weeks.  You'll think your fine and then woosh all the energy is gone.......I would consider 2 weeks at least..........This will get you past the sluggish part.  Now this was my experience......others maybe having a different one. 
Good luck to you !!!!!!!!!!

 I had my surgery on August 30th and tomorrow will be my first day back at work so that is almost three weeks for me. I thought I would go back after 2 weeks but I was still really tired and was not ready. 

I  know a few people that just took one week off and were OK.  Actually, one OH member returned to school, I think, on her third day post op.  Most people, even those with desk jobs, seem to want two weeks off or even a bit longer.  It's really hard to predict how you'll feel.  There is a good chance that at one week post op, you will not be having too much pain but still feeling some discomfort when you stand up or try to lie down flat in bed.  You may be sleeping in a recliner or propped up on the couch because lying down in bed might be too uncomfortable, so you might not be sleeping very well, so you might be very tired when it's time to go to work.  You might be having diarrhea.  You might feel nauseous.  You might be really, really emotional and cry over the littlest thing.

Can you leave it kind of open with your work?  Like tell them you hope to return in one week but may need two and then see how you feel?

I took a week and a half. It was not enough at all. I also work at a desk job and could have everything I needed there. I ended up adding several more half days and a few more days off. I was just too tired and afraid to take pain meds while at work. I am three weeks post op on tuesday and just today did I feel ok at work. If I could have done it over I would have asked for 3 weeks and just went back early if I felt good. I also have had to take a nap every day this week when I got home.

i just had my surgery on 9-12-11, but already find myself getting very bored, and i have planned 6 weeks off. I have a very physical job of unloading trucks and stocking freight all day so I do not want to pu**** on that aspect.  I wanted to take time for me once.  My sister in law had the sleeve done and went back in three days she also has a desk job, so its very possible.  i beleive it will boil down to how you responded to your surgery and new dietary intake. Good Luck, well wishes everything will work out for the best.

I took off two weeks from my desk job and I wish I would have gone with three.  There is no way I would have been able to go back after five days and I had a normal recovery with no complications.  I felt okay after two weeks and was able to get through the day, but I was exhausted and sore through the third and fourth week.  I would come home and fall into bed by 7pm most nights.

 I have a desk job and I also was able to make my shakes, etc.  I only took off two weeks and I NEEDED three.  The first week back I thought I was going to die.  Not literally, but I felt like death.  I was weak and beyond tired.  My suggestion, plan for at least two weeks and try for at three.  

Keep us posted on how your surgery goes.  Good luck! 

It makes far more sense to take at least 3-4 weeks off after surgery. You have to learn to drink enough water, learn new eating routines, find foods you can tolerate, etc.  Going back to work and having nausea won't set too well with your boss.  Your surgeon is giving you "the best case scenario" and very few post ops I see at 3 support groups monthly were able to return to their jobs in a weeks time.  You won't know if you feel well enough to wor****il you actually get past the first few days of surgery.  Many post ops feel fatigued most of the day.  I'd modify your time off for 3 weeks or so, saying you'd gladly return earlier if you felt ok after surgery. DAVE

I had surgery on Tuesday, came home Thursday, and started work again on Wednesday. It was a lot for me. I could have used another week. And I am luck, I have a job where I can work from home. I was exhausted upt to week 4, I think I pushed myself too hard at work (it's a crazy time now for us)