How long before going back to work?

HI!  I just found this over 50 board!! YAY!  I am 54 and going thru the tests on my way for gastric bypass--I have been doing well pre-op--losing weight---55 #s so far! Mostly I just am trying to act as if I have already had the surgery.   I have seen this question of going back to work on other forums---but nobody gives their age---- it's one thing to go back to work in a week at age 25---another for 54!!  So please help me--- I am not telling the bosses ( unsupportive) what I am doing--just taking vacation + sick time--- but I need to get an idea for how much.  I work mostly sitting at a hotel---I get up, check guests in and out----walk a little to the restaurant and back. How much time did you take----- and what kind of work?? Thank you so much! ~~~Lori

Hi Lori, I too am pre-op and have accepted the lifestyle already...much easier for me. I am 56 and have asked this question before...I've been told that everyone is different with their surgery and recovery. Some go back after 2 wks, some need more time. My surgeon said that many of his pts go home after 2 days and several back to work in one wk. I too am going to have to take time off work, they're not going to like it but that's what vacation and sick time is for. My paycheck is my only income so this is a concern of mine but I feel if I learn all I can now and adopt the lifestyle now I am better off. I'm also taking extra vitamins, calcium. I've rid my home of needless foods (those without nutritional value) and now keeping track of my food intake on fitday.com. I'm sure many will answer your question soon. Welcome to OFF! Everyone here is sooooo nice. Alice

Thank you for the info---and the welcome!!  I also know that everyone is different----- every BODY  is diff- and every surgeon's answer is diff---so---just trying to get  an averae from the OFF! I gave up diet soda's in april..... trying really hard to not drink with meals---and getting water in--- protein first----I do thedailyplate.com   ---easy for me--- I stay between 800-1100 calories right now. I do some slim-fast smoothies on my work days---and I really plan a head of time what I will eat.     I walk my dog further and longer than before--and working to increase that!      My paycheck is my only income too---my husband is retired/disabled.  My bosses are just really tough about time off---even when it's accrued!  Also---- I am not telling them what I am doing---and I know I don't have to tell them much--about the surgery--- actually----the HARDEST part pre-surgery for me--will be dealing with the bosses.....but....yes, I'll get through it!

Welcome Lori, I wasn't working when I had WLS so not much help from me.  I also had a complication which landed me back in the hospital for 10 days. It felt like a nuisance but there I was, none the less. What I do remember was the need for a daily nap. We wake up super early and have coffee so by mid afternoon my eyes were heavy. No way could I have worked a full time job at one week. Maybe at 2 - 3 - 4 weeks, depending on the job.  Annette

Hi Alice and Welcome to OFF (Over 50 Forum)! I had surgery June 5.  I planned 4 weeks off with the option of more.... or less time...... as needed.  It will be two weeks for me this coming Thursday and I'm feeling really good.  I'll be 56 in August by the way....  Like you I lost weight before surgery and ate like I had had the surgery.  That's a very good way to describe it. I think I'll be ready in 3 weeks easily but I see the doctor for the first time since surgery on Tuesday.  She'll have a good opinion I suspect. Best of luck going through the process! Kathi

I went back to work after a week.  It was tolerable, but I had to have the G-Tube for six weeks.  I didn't tell anyone that I had the surgery so I just taped it down and wore baggy clothes.  I was so tired in the afternoons.  It wasn't fun, but each day got a little better.  It was difficult, but you can do it!  Just keep your eye on the prize! Wanda

Hello and Welcome Lori!!! I had my surgery in August 2007. I had a slight complication. My bowel was nicked and they had to repair that before they could finish my surgery. I was sick for about a week because of that. The second week I was on the run and haven't stopped since. I feel fabulous!!  I am fortunate that my office is out of my home. I set my own schedule. I could take a break or rest whenever I needed to. Some of my job is traveling around the area. The second week I took off from from driving, although I probably wouldn't of have to do that. Also....I only work 24 hours a week. Your job doesn't sound like it would be too hard on you. As long as you didn't have to lift or carry things. I would discuss that with your surgeon. Every surgeon has different ideas. In am about 10 pounds below goal.  What an exciting adventure!! Good Luck!! Hugs, connie d

Hi Lori, and welcome I had my surgery when I was 51, spent two nights in the hospital and was back to work 10 days later. I'm a hairdresser and can set my own schedule, so I only took a few clients each day for about another 10 days. But, I think getting out and moving was good for me. I'm not one to stay down. Good luck, and keep up the good work!

Hi Lori: I took three weeks off; my boss knew what kind of surgery I was having and was very supportive; in fact, he expected me to need more time than three weeks. When I came back, I needed to go home early a couple of days because I felt queasy the first two weeks back. But when I got back on solid foods, I felt a lot better. Plus, I had some nasty tasty liquid antibiotics that were upsetting me before I was on solids ... that didn't help. (I had an infection in one of my incisions.) I sit at a desk in front of a computer ... I'm a copy editor at a newspaper. I had lap RNY and there was very little scarring and only the one very minor complication (the infection I mentioned). I was 49 when I had my surgery.  I think the main problem when I got back was that I was very tired ... but then I was getting up at 4 a.m. and I was still pretty exhausted, plus I was going without caffeine and on soft foods. When I got on nights, I started to feel more like myself (I'm a night owl!).

Thank you everyone for your answers!!!  I will hope for 2 weeks---maybe ask for 3--- and huge prayers that there are no complications!!   By the way--- Wednesday I go for my heart stress test--- required by dr. Higa---and the following week the colonoscopy ( also his requirement) and July 2nd--- my consult with Dr. Higa!!  ( I did have 2 consults with the local surgeon--Dr. Vierra but my Insurance is Blue Cross---and requires "center of expertise"...... so Dr. Vierra refered to Higa----) All of this added tothe length of this journey----- but it does seem to be moving right along.    I really do appreciate  OH !!! Thank you!!!