Recovery Time

Can anyone tell me about your recovery time after the open gastro? How much time off work does a person need with open gastro?

I'm scheduled for an open on 9/21. My surgeon's office told me I'll be out from 4 - 8 weeks. The most common for their clinic is 6 weeks, but it depends on how well the healing process goes. I will also be having my gallbladder out and a hernia repair at the same time. Congrats on your approval!

Hi Tracy I had my Open RNY in December 2003, and was completely off of pain medication after one week. I wasn't working at that time, so I can't say for sure how long it would have taken me to be ready to go back, but it would have been at least another 3 weeks. There was quite a while there where I felt pretty good, but exhausted very easily and needed my long afternoon nap (more like a short coma.) It is different for everyone. Fortunately, I am a fast healer. My biggest problem was energy, which came and went in spurts. I would be out grooming my horse and feeling great, and two hours later be so tired I could barely hold my head up to watch tv. Healing takes time, so remember to be patient with yourself. Best Wishes, Deb

Thanks for your response. I am sort of struggling with time off at work. I am not sure if I will need 6 or 8 weeks. Thanks

HI again Tracy: Do you have a sedentary job or a strenuous one? How are your bosses reacting to you having to have time off? If you have a strenuous job I would take the full 8 weeks off and even than you might not be up to energy snuff but healed enough to make it through the day. I am glad that I took the full 8 weeks off to get my strength back but I have a very sedentary job and my boss was great about it she didn't want me to come bac****il the 8 weeks were up.