Two weeks off work with LBL?

Do you think two weeks off work (total desk job) would be ok for a lower body lift? what about one week (seriously doubting that one but just throwing it out there)?

how long before doing gym work? I'm a avid exerciser (cardio and weights) and i would hate to lose any of my progress...

Thoughts?

Ooh No I don't think so. But I am pre-op. Everything I read says 4-6 weeks recovery.

Hi KittenLove,

As we all know, Docs are different in their recommendations. My doc had me off work (also desk job) for three weeks, but I work from home and was back part-time by two.  Also allowed treadmill at 3 weeks but no bike or weights until 6 weeks.  You really don't want to tear anything...not so mu*****isions at that point; the greater concern is undermining the tissue as it is reattaching.  I was still hanging onto one drain in my thigh at 4 weeks, and that hampered decent walking on the treadmill until it was gone.  But, I did what I could.

Best wishes for a good surgery and great recovery.  You won't be sorry!

Terri

Based on my experience no way I could go back in 2 weeks never mind 1.  I'm tough and have a high level of pain tolerance but the LBL is tough.  Personally I think you'll want a minimum of 4 weeks, maybe 3. 

I too am a regular exerciser but there was no way I could do it......I didn't start cardio walking until around week 8.... I also never gained any weight after any of my procedures.....I kept a close watch on my calories and did ok.

Best wishes

I can't get more than two weeks off from my job but I work from home and can lay in bed and talk on the phone and have web meetings all day so I am going to try it and if I can't do it they will just have to approve FMLA or something for me.  I have surgery next week so in a month I will let you know how it went and if I was successful at going back at two weeks!!  I am scheduled to fly to Nebraska and do a client install at 4 weeks so I hope I am ready for that when the time comes!!  Robin

I had extended anchor cut TT, BL/BA, brachioplasty and medial thigh.  I was off work for 15 days but I work at home and literally sat in my recliner with laptop and headset.  I was fine.  Tired by the end of the day, but overall doable for me.

Lisa Mc

Very good to hear Lisa!  Thank you for chiming in...  I have a similar job and could even take a nap at noon if needed.  Hoping things will be fine.  Robin

I was off 2 weeks and was back at work on the third. I didn't have any problems going back to work then. I know I would not have wanted to do it with only 1 week off...but two was perfect. I had an LBL and BL and am 11 weeks out now. As for working out...I got the OK to do the treamill..and started back slowly. I moved on to arm and leg weights and more intense treamill..and swelled up like a puffer fish and was told I needed to scale it back. Which I did and now the swelling has gone down some...so it may take you quite a while to get back to peak exercise...it will just depend on how your body responds to the surgery.

I am 2 weeks post-op LBL today, and honestly, I don't think I could go back to work...even a desk job.   The concern I have for you, is being in the "sitting postion" for an extended period of time.  I need to change positions from sitting/lying down every couple of hours just to "rotate"  the pressure on my incision lines.  It starts to hurt when I'm in one particular position for too long.     
As for the exercising...I am missing my work outs!  But truthfully, I don't want to screw anything up with my surgery.  I keep a close eye on my weight (I do weigh myself daily, and have been doing it for 4 years) and calorie intake.  I do take walks, but as soon as I start to "push the envelope" and go farther, I feel my abdomen swell up and feel tight.  You'll have to listen to your body...and your surgeon!
I followed all the rules from my doctor, and sailed through this.  I've read a lot of posts on this website of post-op patients having so many problems with seromas, wounds opening up, etc. and I didn't want to do anything that would cause a problem. 

I took off 2 weeks originally, and tried to go back.  Big mistake.  By the time I got to my desk (after getting dressed, waking up early, driving myself....etc.....stuff I hadn't done much of during my off time), I was broken out in a sweat, nauseated, and dizzy.  I waited about an hour and made the trek back home and worked from home an extra week before trying again.  I didn't have legs done either, so that may make things rougher.......  The drains definitely make everything harder!