Question:
I basically have a sit-down desk job, how long after an open ryn can I return?

I know we are all different and heal at a different pace, I would just like to get a general idea.    — Straley S. (posted on December 3, 2001)

December 3, 2001
Hi. My surgeron recommends being off from work from 4-6 weeks, depending on what type of job you have. I too have a desk job, had the open RNY on 11-7-01, and am returning to work 12-10-01, a little over 4 weeks. I think that I would have been ready to go back a week ago, though. - Paulette
   — Paulette W.

December 3, 2001
I had an open rny and returned to work 4 weeks later. I worked 1/2 days the first week, then full-time. After working 1/2 days, I went home and napped in the afternoons that first week. I was anemic prior to the surgery and am well over 40 so a younger, healthier person would probably be able to return sooner. Good luck.
   — [Anonymous]

December 3, 2001
I had an open rny on 7/13/01 with complications. I was in the hospital for 3 1/2 weeks. I came home for 1 1/2 weeks until I was so bored that I went back to work for one week half days and the second week full time. I had no problems.
   — Robin P.

December 4, 2001
I had a LAP RNY my surgeon reccomended 3-4 weeks. I took the whole month off. I don't know to me a month off of work was dandy. I went out of town where I have family and relaxed. I was however able to return after the second week. I had a problem with a horrible knife stabbing pain in my incision directly under my jp drain. Lots of luck..
   — Kristina P.

December 4, 2001
I had the Open RNY in February of this year and had no complications. I was in the hospital for 4 days and returned to full time work (desk job) after 3 weeks so it does seem to vary from person to person. Best of luck!
   — Kelli B.

December 4, 2001
I had open RNY on 09/17 and wanted to go back to work on 09/25! However, I had a huge cauterization burn on my back (a complication) and my surgeon kept me out a month because of concerns about infection. I was SOOOOO bored but I essentially worked a volunteer job full-time and worked out at the gym an hour a day every day instead. I would have been LESS hard on myself if I'd gone back to my desk! LOL I was lifting my 27 lbs daughter three days after I was home (6 days post-op) with the approval of my surgeon. Here at 11 weeks post-op, I'm down 66 lbs and 56" and have no hernias or other problems. The surgery was much easier than I expected all the way around. :-)
   — Julia M.

December 4, 2001
I had an open rny and went back to work in three weeks (after I moved cross country during that time!!). It was fine, as I have a desk job too, however, I was not up to full days at first. I brought a blanket and an egg timer and I would go into one of our "quiet rooms" (like a conference room with a recliner - nice company!) and I would "nap" for 45 minutes or so at lunchtime ... it was just what I needed to get me through the afternoon. Good luck to you. Open RNY 7/17/01.
   — blee01