Who's gone back to work? How did you do?

At 10 days out I decided I was fine to go back to work. Wrong. I quickly went to half days. I love my boss. One thing I did discover is that it is really hard to eat something every 2 to 3 hours. Also, after the first two days, I was came home, took pain meds, and sleep. I was too tired to even think about walking. Did better these last three days; walking at least a half hour in the afternoon. How was your back to work experience? Are you able to stick to your eating schedule, get enough water, protien, etc.

I went back at the 2 week mark. Shoulda taken the 3 weeks I was aproved for. I work in an office environment but still I was exhausted each night. It wasn't hard to eat...I'm only supposed to be eating 3 meals per day, but the water was hard to get in because I was distracted by work and would forget to drink.

Yep, the water has always been hard for me. I've started taking Propell to the office. It's yummy. I can at least get in one bottle of that before noon.

Hi. Do you have suggestions on where I might find Propell? And what is it's flavor like? Thanks, Sherry

Torrey ( I really like that name!) I had surgery on a Wed and returned to work the following Monday and worked only 6 hours a day that week and was back to full time the next week. I do have a desk job. I did have problems getting my fluids in because I would get busy on a project and not realize how much time had gone by. I had a friend who would use a timer to remind her every 30 mins to drink water and every other 30 mins to get up and walk around and stretch some. I did end up with a urinary tract infection partially due to not getting my fluids. Everyone is different, I will turn 50 in Oct. and am fortunate that I heal pretty quickly and had no serious health problems before the surgery other than the weight (304 at time of surgery) so I assume this contributed to my quick recovery and I have not had any problems with nausea. Most important thing is not to push yourself, listen to your body and rest when you get tired, but I would make it a point not to sleep for long periods, you need to be mobile as much as possible. I still get up two times in the night and drink water and walk a bit. If you are getting your fluids and protien you should start to feel stronger soon. Good luck, Judye

Hi There Everyone, I had my sugery on 8/8/05, I was back at work on the 17th, 9 days later... I was really tired the first few days but I felt fine after that monday... I am now back to my usual work weeks, about 50 hours or so... but I still come home and walk/jog for an hour to an hour and a half... I am young though, almost 24... Take care all! Bridget

Hi Torrey, You sound like me. I took a week off, but luckily it fell during the Labor Day holiday, so I had an extra few days off. So, I was actually able to be home 13 days. Although, I did do some work from home. My doctor told me he would release me for work as soon as I felt up to it, but warned me it takes a good six to eight weeks to heal. Well, I'm stubborn and hate being off work, so I went back anyway. My first day, I was only able to work six hours. I was in so much pain, I decided I am going to continue to work from home as much as possible for the next month. Thank God I have that option! I, too, had a hard time getting in my food and water at work. I'm still having a lot of gas and diarrhea after most things I eat, so I hesitate to eat just before or during the time I am at the office. Which I know is bad, but what can I do? I do sip liquids all day when I am there, but still don't get in enough. I did find that if I take small jars of baby food with me, I can nibble on them over a few hours and digest them fairly well, so that is what I will be doing when I go back to full time.

I went back to work after 3 weeks. I was originally cleared for 2 weeks, but I asked for an extra one, just to be sure. Thank God I did as I still needed regular naps during week 2. Now I need one every 4 days, so I just told my coworkers to toss something on my desk if they see me dozing . I can get in enough protein, but I am still struggling with water. I get busy at my desk, especially I have 4 things going on at the same time. So I compensate by drinking as much as I can when I get home (!). Needless to say I would kill for a normal night's sleep - LOL! But I am drained when I get home. I have a part time job also one to 2 nights a week. It's my plan to walk on the nights I don't work. Still trying to get there, but I do walk on weekends.