Return to work

Hello I am new to all this, I just started the process for a Duodenal Switch. I was wondering how soon can I return to work after surgery?

Hi Bonita Welcome to the Maryland board! I don't have any experience with DS, but I had open RNY and was back to work in two weeks. I have a desk job. I know it can be longer if you are in a more strenuous job. Best wishes as your WLS journey progresses. Hugs, Mo

Hi Bonita, Like Mo, I had open RNY 10-3-06. I was back to work in two weeks. I have a desk job so it was OK. I did my first week back as 1/2 days then full speed the next week. Check with your surgeon. They would have the best idea for you depending on what kind of job you have. Best of luck and welcome to the boards!!! ~Heather

Hi Bonita.... I'm having DS surgery on Feb 8 so i'll let you know how low it takes me.... I have pretty good pain tolerance (after having a vertical c-section and then going back to work 4 days after gb surgery) so betting i could do two weeks but I plan on staying out three weeks and returning to my mostly desk job. Now i just have to find someone to carry those heavier files for me oh yeah and my purse Actually the worst part for me will be not be able to go to the gym for that month.... And starting back to my spinning classes....

Thanks Battting 1000 I will keep up with ur posting. Good look to u why did you choose the DS, and you is your Surgeon?

I chose the DS because: 1) better success rates (ie amt i can expect to lose) 2) More normal eating afterwards.... I have never been a puker and the idea of it maybe happening frequently scared the heck out of me. The one girl i met at the gym has problems with certain natural sugars in fruit even. I know i'm going to have to live low-carb mostly protein but if i want a bite here and there at some point, i'll be ok. 3) type 2 diabetes runs in my family (sorry, even in the thin folks too) so having a DS will definately be a silver bullet against having to endure what my older realtives are going through right now. (i don't have it yet but i know even my aunt got it in her later 30's at a lower weight.) I looked at both DS surgeons in the area (DC and Baltimore) and was more comfortable with Dr. Schweitzer's approach. (It helps of course that he particiapates in my insurance network but that's not the only reason i chose him.)