Post-Op Timing

Can anyone tell me the timeline for their surgery? I am having Lap RNY next Tuesday and was wondering how many days people were in the hospital, days before drains were removed, days before they returned to desk jobs, etc. Can anyone help me? I am trying to get a good estimate for planning purposes. Thanks. Carla

I had my surgery on Friday morning, November 4th. I had Lap RYN and would have gone home on Sunday except for some problems with my calcium and magnesium levels unrelated to the wls, so I went home Monday morning. I am still home from work but am getting out and doing things. I plan to go back next Monday (so 3 weeks out). Hope this helps. Susann

Thanks Susan! That does help! Carla

carla- my surgery was mon. morning at 11am- I was leaving the hospital at 330pm on Wed. So 2 1/2 days for me in the hospital. i had lap RNY too. I had no drains..... so none to remove. i am a stay at home mom, but i couldn't lift my daughter for 2 weeks, and i would say 2 wks minimum you should not be back at work, but it all depends on what you do...desk jobs i think you could go back at 2 wks, but i think you'd be better to do half days that first week back. hope this helps.

Thanks Heather. I am trying to determine how long I will be out of work. My surgery is in Atlanta, so I have to stay in the area a few days after surgery and I want to get home as soon as possible. I have a desk job and I mostly sit all day excpet for short walks to other people's offices (which I could probably avoid if I need to), so I hope to be able to get back to work soon. My boss has told me that I can work from home some if I need to. I just want to be able to work from home some the 2nd week if everything goes well, so I don't have to take leave without pay from my job. Thanks, Carla

IN THE HOSPITAL NOONISH ON FRIDAY, THE 28th ... OUT OF THE HOSPITAL EARLY AFTERNOON ON SUNDAY, THE 30th, BUT WAS TOLD I COULD LEAVE EARLY, EARLY SUNDAY MORNING SO I WAS DRESSED & WAITING FROM AROUND 9:00am THEY WANTED TO TAKE MY DRAIN OUT THE NEXT DAY, MONDAY, THE 31st BUT I WAS REALLY DRAINING ALOT SO THEY TOOK IT OUT THE NEXT DAY ... 4 DAYS AFTER SURGERY/2 DAYS AFTER LEAVING THE HOSPITAL. RETURNING TO A DESK JOB IS REALLY DEPENDENT ON YOUR RECOVERY, PERSONALLY. SINCE IT ISN'T PHYSICAL, IT IS ALL DEPENDENT ON HOW QUICKLY YOU REGAIN YOUR ENERGY ... HOW QUICKLY YOU HEAL, ETC. I'VE HEARD FROM 3 WEEKS TO 6 WEEKS. IF YOU'RE ABLE ... WALKING OR STATIONARY BIKING WILL IMPROVE YOUR ENERGY LEVEL QUICKER THAN NOT DOING ANYTHING. DON'T OVERDO THE EXERCISE ... BUT, IF YOUR BACK, JOINTS, BP & OVERALL HEALTH WILL ALLOW IT, A LITTLE WALK A DAY WILL HELP, MS CARLA. GOD BLESS YOU DAWN & NICK

Hi Carla, I had my surgery on 09/08/2005 (Lap RNY). The actual surgery took about 2.5 hours. I didn't have a drain, they are not always necessary for lap surgery, but some doctors put them in anyway. I stayed in the hospital 2.5 days. I am a fourth grade teacher, and I was back to work in 22 days (15 school days). I was a little tired at first, but I feel that it helped my healing process quite a bit, to get back into the "routine." You will find that you will have to plan ahead for your eating at work. I have a variety of things stashed at school, because what I planned and took for lunch is not what I want to eat when lunchtime rolls around. Good luck with your surgery. April