less than a week

Hi everyone,

So here i am...less than a week away, and i'm actually starting to get a little nervous!  I've actually put a few pounds back on from the weight I was supposed to lose for the surgery...they aren't going to weigh me that morning and cancel are they?? 

I had the dreaded meeting with my boss that i wasn't looking forward to.  I was able to get coverage for 2 full weeks after my surgery.  The person who i took over for is going to do if for two weeks, but after that i don't have anyone.  Can anyone give me some ideas on how long you took out of work.  I know there is no magic time and everyone is different, i was just wondering what people did.  I am having RNY.  My boss wants me to come back as soon as i can, but i am not going to push things, i want to take the time i need.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kristene

I had RNY with Dr. Kim last September 17th.  I don't honestly remember if they weighed me that morning or not, but I would guess that if you didn't put on too much weight, you shouldn't worry about them canceling.  The preop weight loss requirement is mainly to shrink your liver as much as possible so as to make the surgery less complicated.

With regard to time off, I took 5 weeks.  I had the time accumulated, and I found I was very tired everyday.  I actually had planned on 4 weeks, but decided on the 5th one and was glad I did.  I'm sure I could have gone back after 4 if I had had to.  Halfway through that 4th week, I finally started to get my energy back.  I'm not telling you this to discourage you, as I've seen many posters who have gone back after 2 weeks.  It depends on what type of work you do also.  In any event, my recommendation to you is to take as much time as you need.  If you must go back after 2 weeks, would it be possible to go back part-time for a couple of weeks?  That might be a good option.  Hopefully, your boss will understand.  If you go back too early, you could hurt yourself and end up being out even more.  This is major surgery.

Good luck.  Dr. Kim is great!

Hi Kristene,
  Congrats on being so close to your big day.  I'm a bit nervous, too and my surgery is Sept 16th.  But some nerves about surgery is simply evidence of intelligence!  Once you get there you'll do fine.  I'm scheduled to be out for 3 weeks and I can easily take 4 weeks.  A fifth week would be very hard so I am going to focus on getting rested and on a good routine  I think you are very wise to keep in mind that recoveries are very personal.  Yours and mine will be very different, likely.  But we're voth headed in the right direction.  Best of luck to you- Treading

I had RNY surgery on 7/7/08, they did weigh me before surgery but that is just routine. I have been weighed the morning of every type of surgery I have had.

I never told my work that I was having this surgery, I just took 2 weeks vacation and was back to work after that time. I had no complications and felt pretty good after the initial first week of pain subsided. Getting up and walking as much as you can after the surgery will help a lot with the discomfort and gas you will have. If you have a real physical job you may want to take more time to heal, I work in an office and sit in front of a computer most of the time so I was ok with going back that soon. I find even now though that I need to get up and walk around frequently because I will get uncomfortable if I sit for too long.

Good luck, and don't worry...it will all work out.