Question:
Home much time off from work after surgery?

I'm scheduled for lap. roux-en-y surgery in March. How long does one typically need to request off from work? I work at a job where I sit most of the day and work on computer programming issues, so I do not have a lot of moving and lifting.    — Lee Ann B. (posted on February 18, 2004)

February 18, 2004
Hi, I had open RNY and was off work for two weeks. I went back with absolutely no problems at all.
   — Patty_Butler

February 18, 2004
Hi, I had my lap GB Surgery 3-13-03 and was back to full time employment full days by 3-31-04. I could have gone back a few days sooner. I was driving by day 7. Have a Safe journey to the loosing Side & May you be as blessed as I have been. This is the begining of a tremendous life change. I only wish I had made my decision earlier. May God Bless you as you enter!! [email protected]
   — CAROL LEE

February 18, 2004
Two weeks should be enough for you to get back n your feet and into some normal habits, with lap surgery. Some people don't deal with pain/surgery as well and need longer. I went back to 1/2 days after 2 weeks (I had open) and was fine, so I should think you would be fine too, unles you have complications or other issues. What does your surgeon recommend? In most cases he's going to need to approve your absence, for medical reasons, for a certain period of time. So, you really have to go with what he says. Unless, of course, you're using vacation time. Personally, and in retrospect, I would take as much time as I could afford, in order to rest, heal, exercise and get moving again. Good luck to you.
   — LMCLILLY

February 18, 2004
If you can afford to be off work longer, you may want to be. I felt pretty good in week 2, but week 3 I felt really weak (Tip: make sure you keep that protein level up!) I also have a desk job, but started back going only for the afternoons. (1/2 days)
   — Patricia T.

February 18, 2004
I actually was pleasently surprised with my recovery. I had open RNY and was back to work in 2 weeks. I am in sales and work out of a home office. I was back "working" on my laptop at 1 week post and back on the road in 2. I also flew two places 3 and 4 weeks following surgery with no problems. I think I was pretty lucky! Good luck with your surgery!
   — emilyfink

February 18, 2004
I took 4 weeks off. I probably could have used another week, but I was getting bored at home. I also had a job where most of my time was spent sitting. I stayed that long mostly because I was simply exausted. I don't know if it was from anesthesia or my body getting use to it's new nutrition, or what. I just didn't have energy. My first day back I was tired. but then I quickly got back into the swing of things and life was semi- normal again. LOL. Good Luck to you :-) RNY 5/15/03 down 113lbs
   — KellyJeanB

February 18, 2004
I took 3 weeks off because I do some lifting and carrying at my job. I felt good enough to go back after 2 weeks but took the extra week just to be sure.
   — tazfan

February 18, 2004
I feel like a big baby now lol. I had open RNY and I could not go back to work until 2mo. post-op. Good luck!
   — Sandy M.

February 18, 2004
I went back after almost 3 weeks. I teach and am on my feet quite a bit. My assistants were very helpful and I limited my movement for the first week. By the end of week 4, I was pretty much back to myself, taking is as easy as I could when i got home. I'd cook and my familly would clean up. My husband did the food shopping with me the first few times, etc.. As the others have said though, everyone is different!
   — Fixnmyself

February 18, 2004
I have a sit down job and I went back to work at 5 weeks. I had NOTHING wrong with my prior to surgery (other then just being fat) but the surgery wiped me out physically. I was very weak, couldn't eat anything and felt like crap. Even after going back in 5 weeks, I still was exhausted every day for the next month. Everyone is different. You will just have to wait and see how your recovery is.
   — Patty H.

February 18, 2004
I had my surgery on 1/12/04, and was told to take 4-6 weeks off from work regardless of whether I was having open or lap RNY (I had open). I thought that was a lot since I'm an accountant and sit most of the day. My surgeon said that it is actually as important in jobs like that because we are at high right for blod clots up until about 6 weeks out. So, sitting all day rather than spending that time walking or just moving around (even laying down is better than being in a chair) invites having the blood pool in our legs to form a clot. So, I did take the entire time and am glad I did! I was fortunate that my employers were very understanding. Also just a tip, I was able to qualify under short-term disability with my employer, which allowed 8 weeks out for gastric bypass. It's worth checking out if you have the benefits through your company.
   — Jennifer K.

February 18, 2004
I was off for a week and a half completely, but was able to take naps when I needed to or go home in half days if I was pooped; I also got up a lot and moved around - total desk job.
   — kultgirl

February 19, 2004
I had my Lap RNY on 2/4/04 and was back to work in a week. I an an accountant so i sit all day. I just make sure to have all my drnks etc at my desk and to get enough sleep at night.
   — T P.

February 20, 2004
I was back at my sit down job in 3 weeks.
   — Jodie S.

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