Question:
Lapband..then back to work..

When talking to my HR department at work I was told this was a "my choice surgery" so it doesn't qualify for me to be able to take sick time off, instead I have to take vacation time. Company rules are that you can only take 5 vacation days at a time. I am having my surgery done on a Tuesday...So my question is...will I be able to go back to work and be comfortable (I am a bookkeeper and do mostly sitting all day long). What are some time frames that you guys and gals had as healing time before returning back to work?    — ReneeKelly (posted on April 25, 2010)

April 25, 2010
For me it was 3 weeks, but most say 2 weeks. I am a baby!
   — FSUMom

April 25, 2010
I would fight that. Honestly, if you fell and broke your leg while skiing, would that be a choice injury also? I took 4 weeks and got disability for it.
   — Kymberlib9

April 25, 2010
This is for health reasons and I would have to fight it also. Your doctor should be able to provide you with a not e to state how long you need to be out and your job should honor it. HR at your place of employment is crazy! You get sick time for a reason and it is not up to that person to decide what you use it for, what does your insurance say? Does your insurance cover your surgery? Usually 2-3 weeks out is sufficient depending on how you heal, but the final say so is your doctor. You still need a doctors note to be released back to work, or you should anyway. Good luck!
   — Jrice423

April 26, 2010
I'm a nurse here in Jacksonville, and I got off work on Monday morning, had surgery that day, and returned to work the following Sat on "light duty" for that weekend only. I had no problems and since then several other nurses at our hospital have had LP surgery. Good luck to you. Just remember to walk, walk, walk!! The gas they use to expand the gastric area needs to reabsorb and can cause you some really bad gas pains, even up to your shoulders. Walking worked for me...walk and fart!!
   — BeenThere1

April 26, 2010
I did it. I paid for my own surgery and was at anew job. Took a We, thur fri off had surgery Thursday & was back Monday. Worst part was the drive back home at the end of the day for about 4 days. It was uncomfortable. Other than that I did well.
   — Donna O.

April 26, 2010
Renee, I am having band surgery on Tuesday, May 4th and I'll be off work that week and I am returning to work on Monday, May 10th. I work in downtown Chicago and take the train and bus and mostly sit all day at a desk, but there is some walking around. We are supposed to be up and walking so I figure that's a good thing, right? My doctor said as long as I'm not doing any heavy lifting I should be fine. Best of luck to you with your sugery. Deborah G.
   — jackmom1484

April 26, 2010
I just had surgery April 21st, Wednesday. I returned to work today, Monday, and felt fine. Just been more tired than anything...probably due to lack of nutrients and vitamins. While out of work, though, I made sure to walk a couple times of day outside and also kept myself a little busy in the house moving around. When you sit or lay too long it prolongs the healing process and really does not make you feel better.
   — monicae