When did everyone go back to work?

I am having my RNY on June 18th

When I first met w/Dr. Garber, I asked him when I could go back to work. I explained that I work in NYC, & have a desk job.

He said "you can go back in a few days if you're up to it."

So, I told my job that if I have a "texbook" surgery, I should be able to work from home by the end of the week & come in to the office, at least part-time, by the following Monday or Tuesday. So that's only taking a week or 8 days off, if I don't have any complications.

Since I've been reading all your posts here, it seems like I'm being a little over-ambitious.

I take the train to Penn and walk about 15 min to my office. I am only in my position for 6 months. The good thing is that I am the director of the office and only have the Chairman of the Board to report to, and he knows everything (his son has a lapband!). The bad thing is that I'm pretty sure that the person *****ports to me is after my job!

What do you all think? Thanks for your help.

i went back to work 4 weeks after my surgery and was not physically ready too.  my job said the only way i could go back out if my doctor extended the time or used fmla. 

I also have a desk job and I was off for 2 1/2 weeks and that may have been pushing it.    I felt ok but got very tired easily.   I think we forget that we have had major abdominal surgery and it takes our body time to heal internally, even if we don't feel ill.   I didn't have any pain to speak of, but the effects of anasthesia alone take awhile to get out of our systems.    Just becare and listen to your surgeon and your body.  It is so easy to overdue.   

I used vacation time.  I had surgery on Tuesday.  Could have gone back in a couple days or at least the next Monday.  We're treated pretty poorly at my office so I said..Screw 'em and took 2 weeks vacation!  LOL In my 19 years I have never had a week off continuously!  It felt great!!!

I commuted from Brooklyn and worked in Midtown Manhattan when I had my surgery.  I took off for 3 weeks.  Through short term disability I had six weeks approved.  I was bored and wanted to go back to work to keep my mind off of eating.  Liquid diet which was a difficult mental process to go through after surgery.  Plus my incision burned like you would not beleive.  As it heals its sore.  I should have stayed out for four weeks because after the first day back I was exhausted.  I would walk very slow step by step.  Everyone is different.  If you had the lap band then recovery time is probably much quicker.  With RNY you have internal healing so it takes longer.

I was out for 3 weeks.  My Dr. said it would be anywhere from 2-4 weeks.  I am glad I took off the extra week.  I was very tired the whole week I did go back.  Make sure not to push yourself.  I know we as women think we are super human or something.  Good Luck!! 

I went back to work after 2 weeks. The first week I returned, I worked a 6 hour day because it was very tiring. I too have a desk job. Don't rush back. Listen to your body and base your decision accordingly. Best Wishes!

I went back to work after 3 weeks and it was too soon.  I have an office job, but I do alot of "up and down" and computer work.  I had to work part-time for about a week...and I'm still tired at the end of the day.  If you have the time...take at least 4 weeks.

Karen,

 Remember this is major surgery.  Even though you feel great and the outsides look great, the insides are still healing. 

I saved up my sick time and vacation time and took off 2 1/2 weeks.  I was an admin. assistant and I probably could have gone back after just the 1 1/2 weeks, but I had to time to get myself onto a new eating/drinking schedule.  If you have more than a week to take, then take it.  You will feel tired and drained.

Again, if you have the time to take off, then do so.  We all know we work too hard and never take time for ourselves, so if you can do it and enjoy it.

Best of luck to you!

Molly

Karen, I took 3 weeks off (taking my 2 weeks vacation and 1 week sick time) then went back to work 1/2 days on the 4th week but I did not have that big drive at the time. You will just have to see how you are feeling and judge that way! Everyone is different and this is MAJOR surgery so please allow yourself the time needed to heal. I wish you all the best!