How long out of work after Lap-RNY for Physically demanding occupations?

I had open RNY not lap and had a 1 week kidney failure setback where they filled me with heavy dosages of antibiotics.  Had friend that came back to work after 2 weeks after lap RNY.  He was puney but did OK.  I was OK health wise but was still pretty drained energry-wise. Sitting at the desk wasn't the problem.  It was the walking to and from meetings up and down steps and from one end of our huge building to the other in addition to the lack of energy that turned out to be B12, iron, and potassium deficients.  Things just hadn't balanaced out for me.  Your mileage may vary. Joe

Hey Boxman, another desk jockey here. I weny back after two weeks. I could have went back after one week and been just fine. I took two weeks because it was at the end of the year and I would rather take the time than be paid for it. I can't roll over vacation, but they will pay me for it at the end of the year. Like I said I would have been fine after one week.  pan head

I'd call your doctor and ask him what he wants you to do.  I've heard 4 weeks-2 months for "real work," but he's in the best position to evaluate your specific health, surgery, and work obligations.  My doc says 3 weeks for most but gave me the go ahead to go back to my desk jockey position after 5 days. As for protein, I think a simple vanilla powder would work just fine.  There is no rule that you have to mix it 8 oz per scoop.  With a good shaker, you could easily get 30+ grams to mix in 3-4 oz.  For some flavors (strawberry, for example), this would taste awful, but some others are fine strong.  For good value (and nice flavor), I recently got EAS vanilla and it's probably the best vanilla I've tried.  $26 for 6 pounds at Sam's Club.  I can add 45 grams to 6 oz of coffee and it mixes fine with no lumps or thickness. It works as creamer and sweetener in one and the resultant taste is very similar to a drink Starbucks might make.

Thanks for the protein pointers!  Some good info there.

Boxman I don't think you are being overly optimistic, to a degree.  You may be able to go back to your job shortly after surgery, but make sure your schedule is such that you can bail if you have to. For example, I went back to my job (lawyer) after just 5 days.  I was low energy but I did the work, felt pretty OK.  Worked 9-10 hours and pretty much went straight home to bed.  After another week, I felt hardly any difference at all, and most days after week 3 I've felt better than before surgery (especially the last 8 or so). However, I did take off half a day twice in the first month, and at 5 weeks I developed a stricture and had to miss 4 days of work.  I also made sure I had no court appearances or travel obligations in that time; I think that could have been too much.

OK, I've got my all-day pre-op classes Thursday, and this is a question I'm DEFINITELY going to ask. It has occured to me that recovery time may be dependant on age.  Ardbeg went back to a desk job at 1 week.  But he's 30, and I'm 50.  I suspect maybe I AM being optimistic. Hmmm...  Another question for the list, along with "Just how big IS that catheter tube, anyway???" 

lol!!   You'll probably never even know if they used one. Funny thing, as soon as I came out of anesthesia, I reached down to my pecker to see if there was a tube coming out of it.  The very first thing I thought of!  There wasn't one there, and I never asked if there was one there at all. They usually put it in and take it out while you're sleeping.  I was nervous about that too.

I am a plumber and went back after 6 weeks and was working on a 4 floor new house with cast iron pipes in it that I had to carry up and down the staires. It depends on what kind of shape you were in before surgery and everyone heals different. About a week or so after I returned to work I broke a couple of ribs crashing my dirtbike and had to keep working because I couldnt aford to miss any more work. I was a one armed plumber for a few weeks till my ribs healed and tha made me forget about my RNY good luck dont rush back

I had a cath in for a day afterwards, but then it was gone.. And it ws soooooo pleasant... and when they pulled it out, ahhhhhhh the relief of having to take a leak yourself... now the drain tube! 

A lot of input already given here, but another penny's worth for you. I can relate to your job.  I am a career paramedic.  I went to desk duty after two weeks, full duty after 8 weeks.  No problems.  By six weeks out I was ITCHING to get back on the box. Folks in our line of work understand our nature and tendancies, those on the outside usually don't. The best advice is to follow your surgeon's instructions and not do anything to f*** up the contract for yourself or any of the brotherhood. Chill out, take it easy, and enjoy the down time.  Work yourself back in to physical activity by walking walking walking every chance you get.  By the time 8 weeks has passed, you'll be amazed at how much better you'll be on the job.  I have fallen in love with it all over again! Be smart and be safe. ---D---