Question:
Should I take off more time from work?
I am scheduled for lap RNY on Jan 28. My boss would not understand or support my decision. I have told her that I am being referred to a doctor in B'ham because I have been having problems with my gallbladder and surgery is an option. I am really going to B'ham on Jan 20 for all my pre-op stuff. When I return the next day, I plan to tell her that I need to have surgery the next week. I am only going to ask off for one week. If I have surgery on a Tues., do you think I can return to work on the next Monday? I have a desk job and will not be moving around a lot. Am I awful for lying about this? Al Roker used his gallbladder as an excuse. I would like some feedback about this. Thanks. — Alicia K. (posted on January 2, 2003)
January 2, 2003
Returning to work is individualized, I expected to be back in two weeks,but
I couldn't do it. I got tired fast and the pain pills even made it worse. I
truly think you are going to need more time. I know I had a drain in ten
days post-op, I could not work with that hanging there. I work nights
mostly paper work and sitting long made my incisions sites burn and really
hurt so consider that, well that was my personal experience. good luck,
— Teresa G.
January 2, 2003
Alicia~Becareful. Dont stress your self to move around. You wont know how
your really gonna feel about getting around and moving right away. I was
back to work after 2.5 weeks! If you have enough vacation days take them
and use them to get better. If you plan on going back in one week...take
it REALLY easy. At one week out I could walk Target but was sooooo tired
and sore that when I got home I slept for a good 3-4 hours to pick my self
back up. Good Luck and Stay healthy. And by the way. Your manager...if i
have read correclty...has to let you off for surgery.
— sandrac131
January 2, 2003
I would not recommend telling your boss that you'll be back in a week. I
was back in 2 weeks from open RNY, but I think i pushed it a bit. You'd do
better to tell her possibly 3 or 4 weeks, and then come back earlier if you
can.
— Monica H.
January 2, 2003
I needed 10 days on day 7 I could not have gone back. I barely made a
drive to Walgreen's for hair dye. However, on day 10 I felt GREAT. Do you
heal well and are you tough? Don't worry about not telling work.
— Kristy J.
January 2, 2003
I told my work that I was having my gallbladder out. As long as your doctor
orders you to be off for a specific amount of time, your bosses approval or
dissapproval is irrelevant. Make sure you have your documentation, and then
take off the time that your doctor recommends. NO JOB is worth your long
term health, so don't risk injury by returning to work too soon. Good Luck
to you.
— Cara F.
January 2, 2003
I have a desk job too, and I tried going back to work after only a week. I
only made it 2 hours. And that was only because I had to wait for someone
to relieve me. My advice, take 2 weeks at least. That was how long it
took for me before I felt even half way human again. It wasn't so much
about the incision as the fatigue from this major surgery.
— salymsmommy
January 2, 2003
You don't have to lie, just tell her you are having abdominal surgery and
leave it at that. I would plan on at least 2 weeks. Are you having lap or
open? Lap recovery is much quicker, with open you will need more than a
week-easily. I needed almost a month before I could go back to a desk job
but I had complications. I know of 1 person who went back to work in less
than a week but she went back part time and said that she pushed it.
— Cindy R.
January 2, 2003
I went back to work after a week, but I could only force myself to work
half a day and that was extremely difficult. I felt like hell. I sat at my
desk with a pillow for my back and a heating pad for my stomach. Even for a
gallbladder removal LAP ordinarily you get off 3 weeks.
— Wanda R.
January 2, 2003
Be honest with your boss - don't lie. Tell him the truth. Depending on
your job, you will need at least 2-3 weeks miniumum.
— dolphins94
January 2, 2003
Lie to your hearts content if you want. I think it's a completely personal
decision. I didn't tell my boss when I had it done... I just said I was
having surgery. I only took 5 days off work. I have a desk job too. I
don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to return to work the
following Monday, barring any unforseen complications.
— Goldilauxx B.
January 2, 2003
By law, you do NOT have to tell your boss what surgery you are having and
he HAS to give you the time off and hold your job. If he asks, just say its
personal and you'd rather not talk about it. In my opinion, you will need
more than a week, DEFINATELY. Don't take the risk. This is MAJOR surgery
you are having!!
— Kris T.
January 2, 2003
hi there :) i dont know that 1 week will be enough. it may be but everyone
is so different. although you may feel awsome and not too sore, you may
have a low energy issue to deal with. i wish you the best of luck :)
— carrie M.
January 2, 2003
I had gallbladder surgery a couple of years ago and was out of work for a
desk job for 3 weeks. It was really tough to go back for whole days.
After my WLS, I was out for 5 weeks. My short term disability company said
4 weeks was the minimum for this surgery. At 3 weeks, I was still too sore
and tired. Some people can, some can't go back sooner. I would say at the
very least stay out 2 weeks and only plan on half days for the week you go
back.
— Susan P.
January 2, 2003
Invoke the Family and Medical Leave Act if your employer is a covered under
the act ("[...] employs 50 or more employees for each working day
during each of 20 or more calendar workweeks in the current or preceding
calendar year." see, 29 CFR 825.104)
<p> The Act States: <p>
Covered employers must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12
workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the
following reasons:
<p>
for the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee; <p>
for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster
care; <p>
to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a
serious health condition; or <p>
to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a
serious health condition.
<p>The last provision would cover WLS. Also the employer cannot fire
you for invoking the act and must hold your position or a comparable one.
For more info see, http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/
<p> Take Care, Be Well, and Be Happy!
— John T.
January 2, 2003
I had OPEN RNY and was back to work within 1 week. I still had my staples
in when I went back! I was tired but did fine. I too have a desk job so
this helped. Best of luck to you!
— Traci A.
January 2, 2003
I had Open RNY and was released to go back to work 12 days post-op. I
didn't have any problems when I returned - I too have a desk job. But, I
spent 5 days in the hospital and then a week recuperating at home before
returning to work. No one at my office thought I'd be back that quickly.
In fact, the HR department fed exed disability papers to me but I didn't
use them.
Ask your surgeon when you will be released - assuming no problems.
— Patty_Butler
January 2, 2003
My God's honest opinion..... 1 week is not enough. You will without a
doubt be very fatigued and often sick just from taking in liquids or
purees. I told my boss I had to do this surgery because of weak ankles, a
problematic back, and not being able to breathe due to the weight. She
understood then that I had to get it done. I took a full 6 weeks off. Do
not risk your life or recovery for your boss. I would tell the truth about
it and make sure you focus the conversation on YOU!!! He/She can not do
anything about it. There are rules to the game... Good Luck to you....
— Regina C.
January 3, 2003
I <i>could</i> have at one week, but I wouldn't have wanted to.
For me I think I could have comfortably gone back at 2 weeks, but I'll be
3 weeks this coming Monday and I'll be going back to my normal schedule
starting then.
— Toni C.
January 3, 2003
As a manager with several employees, I can tell you that you do not have to
tell any more about what kind of medical problem you have than you want to
tell. As a manager, I am not even allowed to ask. Tell your boss, that
you have to have surgery, will be back as soon as the doctor allows and
that you'll keep them posted about when that will be. Take as much time as
you can afford or as much as you have paid sick time if you have it. Don't
rush back because you could cause your recovery to be even longer or cause
complications that would set you back and make you have to be out more. I
had open RNY and my surgeon wouldn't allow me to drive for 3 weeks! He
said it was mainly because of the danger of an accident requiring me to
have to suddenly jerk the steering wheel or slam on brakes either of which
could cause the incision to rupture. Enough to scare me into obeying his
rules to the letter! Good luck and put your health and yourself ahead of
any job.
— Teri D.
January 3, 2003
I am taking 10 days off. I am at day ? well I go back on Monday. I am
going crazy at home. I was ready to go back in a week. I have been going
to the YMCA and excersizing for 1-1 11/2 hours a day, that helped some. My
kids have helped also. Good luck to you. I also agree with the last
statement. You do not have to discuss this with your boss. Stay out as
long as you need and can afford.
— Pam W.
January 3, 2003
no, you are not awful about lying about the surgery. i was lucky, everyone
in my office was VERY supportive, so i told them the truth, but i was all
set to use gall bladder problems as an excuse as well. going back to work
1 week post-op is not too likely. you are on liquids for 2 weeks after
surgery, and i lost every bit of energy i had. it took me a good 4 weeks
til i was ready to return to work. good luck.
-judi
— [Deactivated Member]
January 7, 2003
Hey There,
I had surgery on Friday and was back to work ( I work a half-day, except
Friday's) on Thursday. My first full day will be this Friday. I have done
excellent. As long as you are not taking any pain killers or have any food
complications, you should be fine! Good Luck to you!
— Pizofret
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