Question:
How long will I be off work?

My surgery is set for 3-30-06.I would love any feed-back on how long I should expect to be out of work. I work in the ob/gyn field, mostly secretarial. Thanks guys!!! MaryAnn    — GIRLYPARTS (posted on March 22, 2006)

March 22, 2006
Depends on what type of surgery you are having. I am having lap RNY on 4/14/06 and my surgeon says 2 weeks off. It may be more if you are having it open or less if you are having the lap band. Good luck!!
   — classite

March 22, 2006
Good Luck, with your WLS. In your position, I would say 2-3 weeks max. You might even want to return sooner, but I would 100% take 2-3 weeks. Again good Luck!
   — MikeL

March 22, 2006
If you are having an 'open' or your lap becomes an 'open' the normal standard time is 6 weeks.
   — star .

March 22, 2006
Everyone heals differently and age and pre op weight has a lot of impact on recovery time. Everyone in my support group took a different amount of time off from work. The least time off was taken by a younger woman who had a lap RNY and went back to work part time after 1 week. She was in the hospital 2days took 5 days at home and returned to work 7days post op but only worked 4hrs a day that first week. Another lady had complications due to blood thinners she was on and wound up out of work for 6 weeks. I had lap RNY on 12-21-05 and on Christmas day I drove to the drugstore and shopped for vitamins. That's how great I felt. The 'lap' surgery is the way to go if possible. It made me sore but not too sore to resume shopping. I didn't have the "jelly legs" and weak overall feeling like I had after 'open' gall bladder surgery and I was 20 years younger then. Different people recover from anesthesia at various rates too. I took three weeks off from work and really could have returned to work after the first week (clerical) but I had the time off so I took it and enjoyed the last 2 weeks as if it was truly a vacation. Best of luck to you and I hope you have as great an experience as I did. Just remember, do what the dr says. Every thing he tells you to do is for a very good reason. You may not agree with it all but you should at least try. You'll heal faster and be on the road to recovery in no time.
   — jcrefasi

March 22, 2006
It will depend on the procedure. I had open and took off six weeks. At my follow-up at 4 weeks I wanted to go back and my doctor asked why if I already had the time off approved. He said the longer you give yourself to heal the better off I would be and less chance of a hernia. Due to my job it was recommended 6 weeks if I worked in an office type of setting I would have definetly gone back sooner.
   — 1968 Loser

March 22, 2006
I took 10 days off for a lap. I am a manager and just made sure that I didn't over do it. Of course, make sure that you don't carry anything too heavy.
   — cdavison

March 22, 2006
First of all, congratulations on making the steps to be a healthier you! I had surgery on a Monday and went home on Thursday. I could have gone home on Wednesday, but asked to stay an extra day because I have three kids at home!! :) I went back to work the following Wednesday. So 1 week and 2 days post op. I found I was a little tired in the later afternoon, but it was still ok. I'm commission only, so staying away from work was not an option. If you are able to take a little time off, I would. It will give you a chance to learn what your new pouch can handle. Good Luck! Mary 323/236/150
   — MaryA

March 22, 2006
Wow I had the same question. I have not had my surgery Yet nor do I have a date I was denyed by Aetna and now I will be submitting my info again. I Own a family daycare and I take care of 20 children not by myself I do have and assistant. I would like to have the RNY/Lap Iwould like to come back to work as soon as posible I can sit or lay at the job since I am the owner but I jut would like to be her What do you all think should I stay with someone for 2-3 weeks or do you think I can return back to work. Thnaks BJ
   — Bettye Jones

March 23, 2006
I had the lap proximal GBP, and was off March 7 thru March 19, 2006. I went back to work on the 20th but came home so tired the first few days. If I would have had more back-up at work I would have definatly taken at least 3 more days, but there was no pain associated, just tiredness. Take as much time as your job will allow.
   — Patricia F.

March 24, 2006
Mary Ann..I too work in the medical field and I had open RNY. I had my surgery on Thursday and I was back at work that next Wednesday. I didn't get up alot and I only took Tylenol after I came home from the hospital. It really depends on the person. I have friends that took two weeks off and I have one patient at my office that only too 3 days off. Good luck and happy healing!
   — danancy

March 24, 2006
I have a sit down job answering phones. I was only out of work two weeks. Had RNY on 2/24/06.
   — levittownlady

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