How to NOT sabotage yourself?

Hi, everyone.  I'm new to OH, and this is my first forum post.

I'm hoping to get some guidance/advice from folks who have had bariatric surgery and thus know what to expect post-op.  I'm going to get the RNY this year, and I want to make sure I'm in the right head-space to succeed with my weight loss goals.  I know this surgery will be a great tool, but not a magic fix for my struggles.  Two specific questions I have:

1. How soon have you guys been able to return to work?  I have a relatively low-stress, sedentary desk job and I'm hoping I can get away with two weeks off?  Is that realistic?
2. After the initial recovery period, what kind of pain/digestive problems have you had?  I'm not deterred by the idea of long-term gastrointestinal discomfort, but I want to be prepared if that's what's on my horizon.  Also, do you have discomfort even on an empty stomach?

Much appreciation to anyone who may reply!  Any and all comments will help a lot.

two weeks should be OK.   I was off for three but could have gone back at two.

I really haven't had any gastrointestinal discomfort at all.  Maybe occasionally the first few weeks out - and I did have two strictures early out - but nothing since

Monday will be 2 weeks since RNY for me.  I can definitely use another week at home.  If I had to go back to work this Monday, I'd be dreading it.  I don't feel like I have the hang of all this yet.  I just pooped a trail to the bathroom because the urge came on so suddenly.  I'd hate for that to happen at work!  Best of luck to you!

1. Probably

2. Most gastrointestinal discomfort is related to eating foods that you shouldn't be eating anyway, and it can be avoided by not eating those foods. What food triggers discomfort varies from person to person, but the most common culprits are high carb foods, high fat foods, and sugar alcohols. Bread and pasta especially can cause a lot of discomfort until they pass out of our pouch. Some people also have problems with dairy or vegetables that produce a lot of gas (neither of these bother me). There are others, but I don't believe they are as common. Another common occurrence is discomfort from eating early in the morning. The theory seems to be that after going all night without drinking anything we get a bit dehydrated and need to hydrate before eating. Overall, the discomfort encourages me to avoid foods that were my favorites and contributed to my morbid obesity, i.e. bread, pasta, pizza, sweets, etc. Believe me, there are many times that I have avoided these foods because I don't want to experience the discomfort. They have really lost the appeal that they had for me before surgery. But that is a great thing because I don't want to gain all that weight back. And I consider myself lucky because a lot of other people say they can eat these things with no problem.

I had surgery on a Tuesday and went back to work the following Monday.  I was 59 and had a desk job. I carried a water bottle and a pre-mixed protein shake.  I stayed hydrated and sipped on my shake during the workday. 

I had a pain in my left side that bothered me when I was on the treadmill.  That lasted about another week.  I was on a liquid diet for two weeks and had no digestive issues.  I had no issues with the surgery, other than eating too fast a few times.  I quickly learned to slow down.

I had surgery on Wednesday and really felt like I could work on Friday.  Took the weekend and went back on Monday without incident.

never had any discomfort of note.