Time off Work

Here in Ottawa, they request four weeks for everyone. Unless you have complications that require additional time, or unless you do heavy lifting, etc., four weeks here is the norm.

If you have the sick time accrued, you will have to use that. Otherwise you may have to take short-term disability at a reduction in pay. Please look into that before your surgery is scheduled. Some people have been caught off guard! 

I'm a pretty tough person, after 3 c-sections and 1 hysterectomy I always went back pretty quickly (3 weeks or so).  I only took 2 weeks off after my RNY and completely regret not taking more time off!  I would recommend 4 weeks.  I am just now feeling better and getting the hang of fluids, protein and soft foods.  Not to mention sitting in my chair (desk job) hurt my stomach!  Just my .02 cents.  Good luck!

I took 6 weeks off and found it very helpful to have that time.  I probably could have survived going back at 4 weeks, but I wanted to be well into my soft food stage before going back.  And it was also quite helpful that I went back to work three days before our office shuts down for a week over Christmas, so I didn't really jump back into the swing of things until a little under 8 weeks out.

I felt it really helped me prepare for success, being able to concentrate on my new lifestyle, food prep, exercising, etc.

My doctor would only sign off for 4 weeks... I could have really gone back in 2 (desk job)

I took off 8 weeks when I had my RNY. I work in a hospital as a cleaner.

I took 2 weeks off, then worked from home for 1 week.  I felt great at that time, but it did require a lot of planning to be back at work after 3 weeks.  Luckily my job is flexible and I could eat whenever I needed to, work from home if I wasn't feeling up to going into the office, etc.

Silly question - do you believe Americans don't recover the same as Canadians??

That wasnt the reason for my posting. I understand that the American employment system does not work the same as the Canadian system and the allowances off for surgical recovery are different. That is the only reason why I wanted to hear from other Canadians on this topic. 

My Father lives in the states and I know what taking time off can be like. 

I didnt mean to insult anyone or make it sound like it was a ridiculous question. 

This is a legitimate question - not a silly one. I didn't know how much time I would require off until I spoke with the surgeon.

I did see that someone jokingly asked if there was difference in healing times between Canadian's vs American's. I do believe this was in jest...

I am having surgery in Ottawa and was given a note to give my employer stating I would be off for 4 weeks.

I took 4 weeks off. 

It was a busy 4 weeks trying to get everything in and on a routine. I didn't start feeling myself until week 4 so it was good timing for me.