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!
OTTAWA -- 2011 - Contemplated WLS Feb. 15, 2013 - GP Feb. 20 - lung functioning Feb. 22 - blood work Feb. 27 - Referral April 19 - orientation, bloodwork July 10 - nurse July 23 - rheumatologist (VSG) Sept. 12 - Behaviourist & Dietician Oct. 23 - Echocardiogram Nov. 6 - Pre-surgery Class Nov. 12 - Surgeon Jan 13, 2014 - Optifast (3 wks) Jan. 27 - PATTS Feb. 3, 2014 - Surgery (VSG)
HEIGHT: 5'5" HW 303 Pre-Opti 297 SW 271 GW 170 CW 200 (Feb. 8, 2018 - damn the regain!) VSG with Dr. Yelle
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.
Referral to registry: Oct 21, 2011 Orientation (TWH): Feb 22, 2012 Surgery: Nov 7, 2012
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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.
Referral - December 2011 * Orientation TWH - March 13th, 2012 * Nurse Practitioner - April 17th, 2012 * Nutrition Class - April 17th, 2012 * Social Worker - April 24th, 2012 * Dietician - May 1st, 2012 * Psych - May 1st, 2012 * Surgeon - August 17th, 2012 * PATTS - Sept. 12th, 2012 * SURGERY TEGH, Dr. Cyriac - October 16th, 2012
Starting Weight - 320 lbs * Current Weight - 178 lbs * Goal Weight - 165 lbs
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.
Referral: July, 2012 Orientation TWH: November 12, 2012 NP/SW: March 25, 2013 Sleep Study: April 15, 2013 Nutrition Class: April 16, 2013 Dietitian: June 19, 2013 Psych: June 25, 2013 Dr Okrainec: August 2, 2013 PATTS: August 9, 2013 Surgery Dr. Urbach: August 30, 2013