Hospital Stay/Time Off of Work

Just wondering about the hospital stay (do you have any yucky tubes after surgery?). How long is the hospital stay & time off of work? I work a desk job and my boss is starting to flip out just thinking I'll be away from work for an extended period of time.

It all depends on the patient since each patient is different. I had an NG tube for about 3 days after the surgery, the foley cath, and my IV. The doctor sent me home on day 5. I took a total of 10 weeks off. My mom, who had the same identical surgery that I did (with the same surgeon) recovered much quicker than I did. I think she went back to work after about 5-6 weeks. Going even further, my brother who had a different type of procedure (he had the lap band) had no NG tube and he went home after 3 days. He was back to work in a week. Julie

It also depends what procedure you are having...open or laproscopic? I had my rny done laproscopic and I was out of the hospital in 3 days, hardly needed pain meds, and went back to work in 3 weeks but could have really went in two if I wanted to. I just had the time available so I used it. I also work a desk job. I didn't have any tubes when I came back from recovery to my room...everything was taken off by then. Just an IV. Best of luck! Theresa

Hello! Again to piggyback of everyone, it depends on the surgery. I had Lap RNY and I was in the hospital for about 3 days. I had an IV, catheter (came out on day 2), an epedural, and I had oxygen tubes up my nose, but I took that out myself a few hours after surgery. No frain tubes for me, but I did have a Qray portable pain pump that u take home with you. It was in my chest and the medicine ball was in a little pouch I carried like a purse. I kept that in for 4 days after I left the hospital and then I removed it myself. I was out of work for 2 weeks. But honestly I felt ready to go back after about a week and a half. I hope that helps! Good luck on your ongoing journey! -T

Donna, The others are right about the type of surgery you have. I had mine open, was in the hospital for 2.5 days. I had a foley and O2, epidural, and one jp drain. The foley came out the morning after surgery. The O2 that morning also, but I was using my BIPAP machine. The epidural came out the second day after surgery. But that JP drain was in for 21 days. I was off work for 8 weeks, but probably could have gone back at 5 or 6 weeks. My boss didn't want me to come back if I had an restrictions. Jeanne

Hi, I had RNY done Lap & went home early morning day 3 & was back to work after a week. I was very blessed had no complications & NO pain at all. I wish I would not have been such a baby about this surgery & had it 10 years earlier in life. Good luck! Tell your boss to take a chill pill...Life is too dang short!

Hi, I had lap RNY & was out in 24 hrs. I also didn't have any drains or anything. I am retired but I was shopping 3 days after surgery.

Hi Donna' I had lap RNY and went back to work in 2 weeks, I work at a preschool and watch twin 2 year olds four afternoons a week. I was very tired for the first 2 and a half months Ann Sonnenberg