A little help from my post-op pals???

Hi all! I'm scheduled for RNY surgery on 8/29, and was wondering when everyone went back to work afterwards? I sell commercial real estate, which involves showing properties (walking around), working at my desk, etc., and would like to get back to work ASAP. I know that I will have to see what happens at the time, that everyone is different, and everyone recovers at different times, but I'm just trying to get a feel for what others have done, how you've felt afterwards, etc. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much! My best... Wendy

Hey Wendy - congrats on your upcoming surgery! Like you said - everybody is different, but I'll be glad to share my experience. I was not allowed to drive for the first two weeks - my doc wanted to make sure I was controlling my blood sugar and totally free of pain meds. After that visit I feel like I could have returned to school towork at my desk. It was not until 3-3 1/2 weeks out that I felt I could do anything I wanted. I had no complications and was walking an hour after being put in my room after recovery. I was able to walk well right away. You wil be very sore and you need to be careful. With that said I would plan for four weeks before you are out and ready to rock and roll. Hope this helps! Tracey 352/312/???

HI WENDY! GOOD LUCK on your upcomeing surgery! ITS so exciting. I went back to work 12 days post op. (my doctor wanted 15). I run a family daycare business in my home and i do get a 2 hour break at nap time so it seemed great for me. I just didnt do any lifting and only took back the 2 year olds at first and waited another week for 1 year olds that need more lifting. I am doing fine now few days shy of 2 months post op. LISA

Hi Wendy, What an exciting time for you. I know the excitement and anticipation you are going through. Like you said everyone is different and as you will see each doctor seems to do things a little different as well. My own experience was pretty good. I had lap RNY on 6/28. I wasn't back to room until almost 7 pm but did request to get out of bed around midnight and walked, without much difficulty. I was home on the 30th and have done great ever since. Did not take any narcotic pain killers after they unhooked my PCA the afternoon on the after my surgery, only liquid tylenol and it worked well for me (but this is just me, and everyone is different). I didn't have any drains and my doctor told me I could drive when I felt up to it, and I did on the Monday following my surgery, but only to the store here in town. I am a professional photographer and gave myself 4 weeks off, and really needed it. In fact in this last week I decided I really needed a couple more weeks as I may have developed a stricture (not an uncommon thing to happen). I am having an endoscopy next week to dilate the opening. Not worried about it, but have to be on liquids again until it's done. Other than that I've done great. You will find the most difficult part (if you can call it that) is being tired or fatigued. Also, you want to give yourself a chance to get accustomed to your new lifestyle. All the drinking and all the time it takes to eat. It really takes some getting used to, even if you prepare yourself before surgery. Follow your doctor's advice about returning to work, but really listen to your body. You may well be ready to return at 4 weeks. Believe me, you will know. If you return to work and find yourself exhausted and not feeling well, then back off for a couple more weeks. Remember that this recovery time is only temporary, but the changes that will be made inside your body are permanent. I wish you all the very best and I will pray that your surgery is uneventful, and you have a swift and uncomplicated recovery. God bless, Debra

ok, I have the ability to bank my sick time hours and managed to bank 7 weeks of paid time. That way I did not have to make the decision to go back when I was not ready. In reality I could have gone back 4 weeks post-op, (in the fourth week), I was feeling fine and was able to tolerate foods. The scar is a nuissance (I am cut from sternum to belly button) , I believe it depends on how much weight total you have to lose. My advice, if you have more that 175 lbs to lose, take as much time off as you can, your body will have trouble adjusting to being lighter, especially if you have a very labour intensive job. Sorry for the canadian spelling, sincerely, Silly.(down 80lbs so far)

Hi, please don't ru**** going back to work. I would definitely allow 4 weeks and if you don't need that much time you can always go back early. Also, please don't underestimate the emotional aspect of this surgery. I had a very rough 3 1/2 weeks before I began to even feel like myself again. You may not experience this though. But, I got so depressed post op that I had to begin taking medication for this. Giving yourself at least 4 weeks allows you to have time to work through any problems that arise without having work hanging over your head. Some people go back in two weeks, so I have heard, but more people seem to need more time than that. I was very fatigued and weak feeling at times until around 6 weeks, and even now at six weeks I just now truly feel ready to return to work and still have days where I feel weakness. I now am in the swing of eating what I am supposed to and the anxiety of the unknown has lifted quite a bit. Anyway, I know you have to do what is best for you. But, speaking from experience, don't ru****give yourself time to heal physically and emotionally.

I get full pay while I am out and will go back to work on 8-15-2005. I had surgery on 6/27.2005. It is important for me to form new habits and it takes 6 weeks to form a habit. My primary purpose during this time off has been for me to recovery physically and concentrate on the "rules of the pouch". My co-worker who had the surgery 3 days after me is on commission and went back to work in 2 weeks. She worked alot from home and when she went to the office she did not stay the whole day. She said she was very tired. At 4 weeks I really was not ready to go back to work just because I know when I go back it will be very fast paced. Just take care of yourself and listen to your Doctor. Good Luck!!