A Delima

The case manager from Cigna called today to let me know that I meet all the criteria for bariatric surgery (yeah), but that the lap-band is not covered. She is double checking with a benefits specialist to make sure there have been no recent changes to my insurance policy, and that there should be no problems changing to the lap RNY. I am scared of the RNY and just wanted to know a little more about the recovery time and such. The short recovery was one of the biggest advatages to the band for me! I work in a college bookstore, and sometimes have to do heavy lifting (50-60lbs). Most of the time it is a sit down job, some shelf stocking and bending. I tried to call Debby at Dr Valin's office, but they are away on vacation. I guess I mostly want to know how long I will need to take off work. I don't have much vacation time, and finances are already tight so this is a huge concern, but I need to have surgery. I know everyone is different, but I just wanted and Idea. Thanks in advance, Carmen

Hi Carmen I had lap rny and was out of work 1 week. i do have a desk job with no lifting though. i felt ok going back after 1 wk BUT boy was i wiped out by the end of the day. i think most people do fine with taking 2 weeks off. good luck and if you have any other questions feel free to ask. Cheryl k

Hi Carmen, I had the Lap RNY and was out of work for two weeks. I have a desk job with no lifting required. I find most people take 2-3 weeks, but I was fine with 2, just tired. As far as lifting though, no way. You will have to talk to your surgeon, but I believe there is no lifting of more than 5 pounds for the first 6 weeks, at least with my doc. You don't want to rupture anything in your healing body. Maybe you can work and have someone else move the boxes. Also, except for being tired for about 5-6 weeks, the Lap RNY was pretty easy. A little pain, but nothing intolerable. I was off pain meds when I left the hospital 2 days after surgery. Don't worry about the finances, it's only money. You can get caught up if you get alittle behind. Do it for your physical and mental health which are much more important! Good luck, Anne

Hi Carmen I had Open RNY. It will be a year on Sept 11. I was supposed to be Lap RNY, but some cir****tances beyond my control, during surgery, he had to open me up. I knew the down time from Lap to Open would be more, but I was ready to go back to work after 2 weeks post op. My Dr. recommended one more week, so I took it. I was a trooper, could have come back in two. Good luck and keep us posted. I hope this helps. Luis

My insurance wouldn't cover Lap band. I had open RNY. Dr. Valin puts the recovery time for this at 8 weeks and I believe he is right. Everything went fairly smoothly for me (no major complications). I am seven weeks out now and still get tired. It is just this week that I have been able to do large chores-like mow the lawn, etc without becoming exhausted. I could see how you could go back to work earlier if you have a sedentary job-ie., working on a computer-but to go back to lifting, uh-uh. I haven't been cleared to lift more than 10 lbs yet and don't anticipate that I will be allowed to do so until my next visit with Debby-on Sept 22. Of course, me being me, I'll start lifting more before that...it's just that I won't have official clearance to do so! Ann

Carmen, I spoke to Debbie about this by email last week and she said 2 weeks should be ok maybe 3 but that is it unless complications. But she told me no lifting. She said it depended on the job. Send her an email. She is awesome at returning them. I go in for Lap bypass next Friday Sept. 3rd!