Working (soon) after surgery...

Hi all! I am having surgery on Wednesday, February 8th and was wondering how soon you believe I can get back to work - even for just a couple of hours a day? I am in a critical place in my work but I am unwilling to sacrifice "myself" any longer. It seems like I am always at a critical place. Almost all of the work I have to do is sitting at a computer figuring out solutions. Is it reasonable to expect that I will be able to start working from home by the following week? I can't imagine that I will be laying around all day, especially since the doc says they will have me out of the bed moving around the day of my surgery. I really need to know what to expect so I can prepare my employees. I normally put everyone else's needs before mine so actually comitting to having the surgery was a huge step for me. I'm trying not to backslide but I don't want my office to suffer while I am out. Please advise.

Wow! This truly sounds like me nearly 3 years ago. I wanted to know when I could go back to work. Being that I was active regardless of my size and an extremely important member to my Quality Assurance team. My surgeon and I discussed this very openly and there were several factors that will allow you to return but it's based on each persons case. For me I was walking as soon as they would let me. (I had some sugar and bp issues at first). From that point on, there was NO stopping me. I went back to work exactly 4 weeks to the day. It wasn't a possibility for me to work from home at the work I did quality wise wasn't something on a computer it was hands on. The difference here is that you CAN work from home and as long as you are walking every so often and doing what you need to do to heal and resting when your body says so then your doc should be fine with it. Keep in mind though YOU are most important in the following days, weeks, and months even years to YOUR success. Work will still be there sweetie! Hugs to you and much luck for surgery! Kitty Kat

Yikes!!! 4 weeks, wow! I know you are probably right, but....I am thinking I will have to be working like a week after my surgery from my laptop. I will be able to be out of the office; however, I will still need to do some things. Thank you so much for responding. I actually do feel better now that I asked and got responses! Smooches! Denise

Denise, You sound like me a little when I was planning to be out after surgery. I am also a manager, although a much different environment... I'm a bank manager and on my feet more than 50% of the time. Initially my doctor and I decided that I'd be out 4 weeks full time and then 2 weeks half days. Well, because of an injury sustained during surgery, although not directly surgical related (my right shoulder was dislocated,) my doctor extended my leave to 6 full weeks. Fortunately, my bosses have been very supportive and gave both me and my employees a lecture about me putting myself first and NOT to call me on anything work related, no matter what! You are going to need at least 2 weeks out, based on my and other people's postings. This process is physical (healing,) mental (learning,) and emotional (dealing with major changes in your life.) This major surgery and also a major life-style change and it all takes some time for your body to sort out. Good luck and let us know how things progress! Happy New Year, Tammy

I was walking the day of surgery, showering the next day, and driving without permission the following. I wanted to return to work a week later but I still had the drain in and it was very annoying. I am 5 weeks out and will return to work on Monday. You will need time to heal. You need to see how you feel but a month is about the short end of average. Good Luck! Melannie

Hi Denise, You are having surgery shortly after me I'm having mine on Jan. 27 by Dr. Halmi as well. I also work in a sedentary job behind a computer all day. My plan is to be out of work for two weeks, the third week go back to work for half days, then on the fourth week come back full-time. Of course, I'm putting my health first and will take it week by week to see how I'm feeling - I don't want to put my health at risk! Please think about your health trust me your job and the mound of work will be waiting for you Take Care! Jean

Denise, Congrats on your date. Its four days after my b-day. I just had my surgery done on December 27th. I had Lap RNY. I was up and walking around several hours after the surgery. I asked my doctor about going back to work, and he said that I had to wait until I seen him again. That is going to be January 10th. I am feeling a lot better now than I was a few days ago. Still kinda sore, but I am sure that is to be expected. My doc may make me wait a while longer, only because I stand on my feet 10-12 hours everyday. I would think at least after a week since you have a resting job you would be able to go back with in at least two weeks. But, do not rush things if you are not ready do not push yourself. Best of luck to you, Melissa

Hi Denise - I am having Lap RNY with Dr. Moazzez on 1/23. Your first couple of sentences sound like a page from my book - ALL OF MY LIFE! I have always put my work first; I'm always at a critical point; I'm definately a major player in my office(s), but you know what? Putting work first is a big part of the reason that I am here at this juncture in my life now. I have ignored my own personal needs always to take care of my workplace. My whole life I put work before my family life. But now I am taking the time for me to do this - to give my body time to heal, my mind time to catch up and to concentrate on learning new eating habits and develop a rhythym BEFORE I go back to that office where once again I will have to struggle to put my needs anywhere near first. I have scheduled a solid month off and if I should need another week I will take another week Even if it "hairlips the governor" ! (I have no idea what that means but a very smart and dear Aunt used to say that with conviction and it seemed to fit here.) SO - my suggestion to you is that you focus on yourself and your needs for once and give this new "tool" a fighting chance at the best success for a brand new life that you possibly can. Remember, this is for you and no one at your office can do this for you BUT you!! Anyway - you just hit so close to home I had to share my feelings with you. You deserve the best - don't settle for less. Sylvia

I had my surgery on 11/15/05 and I was off 4 weeks and then still came back on part time because I still was tired all the time. Now today was my full day back. Plus with the holidays, I took some leave since I have use or lose.

I had my surgery Thursday Sep 1 and was back to work on Monday Sep 12. I had an open. I had no problems at all. I work a desk job with very little physical activity. Barb