recuperation period

Hi Everyone, I am going to have surgery hopefully within the next 3 weeks. My dilemma is , I am a teacher and wanted to have the surgery in the early part of the summer so that I would be fully recuperated by Sept. But, all the testing did not go as quickly as I anticipated so the surgery won't be till early August. My surgeon said not to worry that I would only need a week before returning to work. Has this been your experiences? Thanks for your input. Ellie

Everyone will be different and also a big part is the type of surgery, open-lap I am 5 weeks out and I am JUST getting my energy back, (but i also have a problen with my knees, so I was not able to walk much) and able to eat without feeling sick, I was also dizzy because i did not drink enough water when I first got home.. I know people that felt great 2 weeks later and went back to work, just follow directions and take care of yourself

ITS a very hard think to gage ELLIE. We all seem to experience different. I went back to work 12 days after my lap sugery. BUT i will admit i was tired at first but my work allows me a rest mid day. I fun a family daycare in my home and when the two year olds napped so did I! SO it helped me the first 2 weeks back to work. GOOD luck and i would just go for it! LISA

I am 2 1/2 weeks out and am still very tired. Even when I think I can do more, it is too much for me. I had more energy in the beginning. They think I may have caught a bacteria infection in the hospital from IV antiobiotics though, so that may have something to do w/ it. Out summer for school ends mid Aug. I don't know when yours ends. But, I would give yourself atleast 4 weeks to recooperate, some take more, some less. The problem is also, you don't know how you will react to any given food. So if you try something new, try it at home first.

Hi Ellie! I'm also a teacher -- I had an open gastric bypass 3 weeks ago and honestly believe if I had to go back to work today, I could! That said, I would be VERY tired and need to go home and take a nap and not do too much in the evenings for the first couple of weeks. I agree with the others -- go for it! I've lost 35 lbs so far and I know that will help me have more energy once the school year begins! Good Luck! Laurel from KY

Hi there...my surgeon automatically puts you out of work for four weeks. One thing that helped me right from the start was getting on the proteins the second I got home. I was on clear liquids for a week...I had Isopure clear liquid bottled drinks. As of my second week, I am making shakes with one cup skim milk and two scoops of chocolate Designer Whey protein. Both of these sources provide 40g of protein or more when you finish them. Everyone's recovery is different, but one week just might not be enough. Good luck to you!!!!!

I'm a 4th grade teacher and I had my surgery the 6th. There is no way I could have gone to work after a week. Two weeks - maybe. I think three would be fine. The beginning of school is so incredibly stressful and exhausting - for me anyway. It would be impossible to just sit at a desk and take it easy. At first I also had an upset stomach and was running to the bathroom alot. That is an issue you might want to think about too.

Well, it depends on whether or not you are having open or lap, if you have complications, and your recovery. I had open RNY. After two weeks, I was on my laptop and doing some work from home. I went back full-time in the office at 3 weeks and was already on travel by 4 1/2 weeks. The first week was tough...I was extremely tired by 1:00 in the afternoon...but I made it through. I didn't nap when I got home. I figured that I just needed to get my body back on it's regular time clock. I'm six weeks out now and I feel completely normal, with the exception that my nausea and food adversions strongly resemble pregnancy! The bathroom thing is something to think about. If you end up being one that gets diarreah...you may have to do a lot of running (no pun intended). I had constipation issues before surgery and still do post-op. (I actually WISH I would get the "runs" once in a while!) I suggest that you keep calling the surgeons office to see about an earlier date. Keep checking for cancellations. Be persistant. You may be able to get moved up and the more you call...the more likely you will be thought of first. Keep them apprised of your perdicament. I just don't see a week being enough time at all. If you end up with only a week of recovery time, make sure you have someone to fill in for you (or make arrangements with the school) just in case you aren't ready. Best of luck to you! Pam

Ellie, I have to tell you that there is no way I could have gone back to work one week after my Lap RNY. Now everyone is different, but one week is really pushing your body a little too hard, in my opinion. I am a food broker and am in sales, on the road, carrying heavy samples, making presentations, creating in the kitchens with the chefs, and my surgeon gave me a minimum of 4 weeks to be off. I have been off 3 weeks, and if I had to, I would go back, but I am still sore and can really use the extra 4th week. You will be very sore and tired the first week, along with the second week, but it is all well worth it. Soon, you will be on the other side with the rest of the Loser Team!!! Good Luck to you hon! Lori - Pittsburgh, PA Surgery Date: 06/24/05 Weight Loss: 40 lbs. as of 07/17/05

Boy, I'm going thru the same dilemna currently. I had my surgery on 6/21 (Lap RNY). I am 4 weeks postop and my doctor told me that most patients return to work in 2 to 3 weeks. I took the 3 weeks, since that's the week I was starting soft foods and I wanted to be close to a bathroom, if you know what I mean. Well, I started back to work on 7/18, and have been home since. Just too damn tired and weak. The midday naps are a necessity at the moment. I am planning to go back on Monday. I would say go by your body and don't let anyone tell you when you're "supposed" to be healed. My office manager has heard stories of people going back to work in 8 days (ridiculous), and just can't understand why I'm taking so long. Oh well. It's your body and you have to listen to what it's telling you. I just can't imagine going back before 3 weeks.