Question:
Got approved yesterday/and a date... wondering how much time i can take off work!!!

i want to take as much time off work (work at qwest) and am afraid now that i may not get it. i am now freaking out about that (first it was getting approved)!! Please let me know what your experiences have been. [email protected]    — Yvonne L. (posted on September 25, 2002)

September 25, 2002
I had open RNY November 29, 1001. I was released to return to work 12 days post-op but did not return til 5 days later because I had my surgery out of town and couldn't get home til the weekend. I returned to work full time and haven't had any problems. I have a desk job and returning to work wasn't stressful at all.
   — Patty_Butler

September 25, 2002
Are you afraid that QWest won't approve your time off? Do you have vacation and sick time to use? If you've worked there for over a year and if Qwest has over 50 employees - which I assume they do, then you qualify for FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act). Under FMLA, your employer MUST give you up to 12 weeks of leave time for any serious health condition, during those 12 weeks, they would have to hold your job open, or offer you a comparable position when you return. I would check w/your HR Deparment ASAP. I had Open RNY in 2/2002 and was only off for 10 days, but we're all different.
   — Rosario T.

September 25, 2002
I had lap RNY with complications that turned into an open RNY. I was in the hospital a week (instead of 3 days). I stayed home from work for 6 weeks. I probably could have gone back to work somewhere between weeks 4-5 but my job is so terribly stressful that I took my time recovering. (It wasn't like I was on vacation hanging out at the beach!) Good luck to you with your surgery. :o)
   — Jennifer A.

September 25, 2002
I had open RNY and was off of work for 6 weeks. Some can go back as early as 2 weeks, providing they have low impact jobs. Good luck on your journey!
   — Melissa P.

September 25, 2002
I had open RNY on a Thursday and went back to work the following Friday - exactly 7 days later. I still had my staples in when I went back to work! I was uncomfortable but I have a desk job so I did fine. I had planned on being gone for 2 weeks but I felt good enough after 1 week to go back. Best of luck to you!
   — Traci A.

September 25, 2002

   — W. H.

September 25, 2002
it de[ends what your surgon says. mine says 6 to 8 WEEKS and i plan on taking the whole thing. you are eligable for state disabilaty during your recovery.
   — kimberly T.

September 25, 2002
that mainly is up to your dr. Your company would not be wise to go against a dr order because of liability issues. Some do it anyway and usually loose. I cannot wait to go back to work because I am getting sick of watching food commercials : ) Good luck to you. It is mainly driven off of your Dr. you can tell your employer you are having stomach surgery but it all comes down to liability and they don't need a law suit should you suffer ANYTHING due to coming back early.
   — Peggy A.