Post-op Time Off

Hi All,

I just found out my surgery qualifies me to take paid disability leave from work while I recover. My surgeon says I should be feeling well enough to go back to work after a week but that seems kind of soon to me. I was wondering if anyone who is post-op could give me a more realistic idea of how much time I should take off work to allow myself to rest and heal? My job is allowing me to take up to 60 days (2 months) but I know I don't need that much time. I was thinking 2 weeks would be good. Any advice?

Thanks!

Ooo, a week sounds like not much. I wouldn't do that. I would wait at least 2 weeks minimum.

I took 4 weeks, myself. I had the time off, I wanted to allow myself time to adjust to the surgery, and I wanted to make sure my energy was back before returning to work because my job is really demanding. I was also taking the time off during a "lull" in the work load, so as it turns out, I wasn't missing anything critical work-wise anyway. I'm glad I took the little extra time. It also allows a cushion in case you have complications (rare with VSG). A lot of people report nausea and trouble eating the first few months after having the surgery, so why pu****

I went back after a week, and could have gone back earlier.  Other people wait a month and feel that's too soon.  It's very individual.

Jane

I was a slow poke. It took me a good 6 weeks to get over the pain, start to exercise, not feel so tired etc. Part of that was because I was trying to do 20g carbs a day. As it turns out, my body needs 30-40g a day to be happy so there was a learning curve. Everyone is different but if you have the option, take as much time as you need to and how awesome is it that your employer has such a generous time off policy! NICE 

I am having surgery on Friday 3/7, & I'm going back to work Thursday 3/13. I work 10pm to 6am, and 98% of my night I'm sitting at my desk doing paperwork.  If I were on a different shift, I would have to take 6 weeks due to the nature of my job. I'm going back after only 6 days because the sooner I get back to routine, the better. When I just sit around my house, nothing good comes of it :)

Even though I have a "desk" job I took 6 weeks off.  I am a stress eater and needed to learn to cope before I went back into such a stressful situation.  It really helped me as I got in the habit of weighing and measuring my food; by the time I returned to work it was easy!  Everyone is different, but this worked for me.  Good luck you'll be glad you had the surgery.

I work a desk job and had surgery on Monday, February 3rd and went back to work on Wednesday, February 12th.  I could have gone back sooner, honestly.  It depends on the type of job you do.  If you have a job where you sit at a desk all day, I would say two weeks is more than enough time.  But it is up to you in the end.  A week would have been perfect for me.  Good luck!

Due to the nature of my job, I'm taking at least 4 weeks off. But last week I was talking to someone and said that if i had a desk job i could go back then,  around two weeks.

My clinics pat answer is 4-6 weeks.  My surgeons answer was 2 weeks.  My bodies answer has been 2 months and counting.  I didn't plan for complications lol.  I would tell them 2-6 weeks and that way they don't have a hard fast day that you are returning.

Thank God for short term disability!

Wow! I really appreciate the different perspectives. I guess it really does vary. I do work a desk job in a very quiet, low stress environment. My job is not demanding at all so I am thinking that his probably what my Dr. was considering when he said 1 week. I have to submit the paperwork to use my short term disability leave (I am soo grateful for this option) within 30 days of the surgery date. My surgery is not until August so I have time to plan and really think this through. At this point I think it will probably be best to take more time than I "think" I might need, say 3 weeks, and then if I am able to return sooner, I will. 

Thanks so much for all your input, you guys are the best!! I love this site!!!