Question:
If you have LAP-RNY, what is the average time to return to work?

Is three two or three weeks too soon to return to work after having LAP-RNY?    — COMBAT G. (posted on May 1, 2001)

May 1, 2001
That sounds like plenty of time...I had my surgery on a Tues and I was back to work the following Monday(LAP RNY 1/16/01 60lbs down)
   — Debora H.

May 1, 2001
I went back to a full-time office position in 8 days; my daughter returned to teaching a classroom of active 4-year olds in 14 days after lap RNY. People have different responses to pain and the return to normal levels of activity. Listen to your body and allow for plenty of sleep and rest post-op. If you over-do in those early days, you will pay for it later in terms of fatigue, irritability, depression, etc... Be sure to follow your surgeon's instructions regarding activity, exercise, and lifting. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

May 1, 2001
It depends on your job, if its physical with lots of bending and lifting longer is in order. Example is a carpenter friend of mine who took 6 weekss off. Now naturally a office worker sitting behind a desk would be less.
   — bob-haller

May 2, 2001
Hey Combat Girl. I had my surgery on April 6th. I went back to work half days on April 16th, and then full time the following week. I have a sit down job and do not lift much of anything, so it really depends on what type of job you have.
   — Shelly W.

May 2, 2001
I agree with the previous posts... listen to your body. I THOUGHT I was ready to go back to work half days 2 weeks post-op. I went, and now, 4 weeks post-op, I'm off again for 4 days due to extreme fatigue. I have an office job that does involve some physical activity, and I just wasn't ready. Thank goodness I work for 3 doctors, so when they saw me crumbling before their eyes, they told me take the rest of week off and rest. I think I went back way too soon, (for me) at two weeks. It wasn't the physical PAIN that knocked me down, it was the extremely reduced energy level I was, (and am) experiencing. I also found that I had trouble with anything I tried to eat at work, due to the stress of the job. Hence, no food, or I was vomiting all afternoon. This is also something that I needed to figure out before expecting to put in a full PRODUCTIVE workday. Some folks do well after only 2 weeks. I failed that test miserably. Do what your surgeon suggests and follow what YOU think. You know your body and limitations better than anyone.
   — Laurie L.

May 2, 2001
I am 5 weeks post op. I returned to work 3 days ago. I have an office job with no lifting required. It was not the physical aspect of the job that about killed me the first 2 days but the fatigue. My job requires me to be mentally alert, no real "down time", I deal with the public with highly charged, emotional, and stressful issues (workers' compensation). I felt I could have returned to work a lot sooner as I really had minimal pain. I am glad I waited as I see that I really am only now ready to take on the demands of working full time. I think it really depends on the job and the person. My only recommendation is not to judge your return to work ability on your pain level, look at the big picture.
   — smummert

May 3, 2001
I had surgery on a Friday. I went back to work on Tuesday. I've worked every day, all day since. I could have gone back on Monday. I took it easy and had ABSOLUTELY NO problems. So much of it is a state of mind. Listen to your own body.
   — Kym C.

November 3, 2003
I am 2-1/2 weeks post op and feel absolutely terrific. I am going to ask my Dr if I can go back Thursday the 13th. I will be 3-1/2 post op by then. I am so bored at home. I started driving locally mini trips 14 days post op, no problems. A lot of people say they're tired. I haven't had any fatigue whatsoever!!
   — Linda O.

November 3, 2003
I had planned to go back after two weeks but found myself getting very tired toward the end of the 2nd week so I took a third week off. The first week back at work went okay but I was exhausted when I got home each day. Our company is going thru major downsizing though so some of that may have been the stressful situation. By the 5th week, I had a total burst of energy and feel great now. I'm glad I took the extra week off because it gave me time to get thru the liquid diet stage (which would be a major pain while trying to work). Best advice, judge how you feel and take as much time as you need.
   —  SCbabe B.

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