Question:
What should one expect when returning back to work?

I have read where some after surgery go back soon and others later for various reasons as well as the type of job they have...I'm wondering what to expect in terms of returning to work...I do sit and type all day long but I am in an office where they schedule our breaks and lunches and believe it or not we have to get permission to go to the restroom...and if gone to long we are questioned...and no way could we get up and wander around the office...it is either stand or sit at your position til break or lunch or go home...Thanks for you input...Rhonda    — Rhondaroo78 (posted on August 12, 2003)

August 12, 2003
I went back to work in about a month. I was very weak since I was hospitalized for most of my time out (had to return because of a blood clot). It was really rough at first and I got tired frequently and thought I wouldn't make it through the day. The worse part was the drive home. I drove a stick shift and it was still painful to shift and when I hit a bump. The extra moving around I was doing at work really sped up my recovery. Just keep food handy.. a swallow of food here and sip of water there helps out. <p> Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
   — John T.

August 12, 2003
i RETURNED TO WORK 1 DAY SHY OF 3 WEEKS. I COULD WALK AND SIT OK, BUT I WORK NIGHTS, MY BODY AFTER BASISCALLY BEING UP DURING THE DAY HAD REACTIONS. THEN, TOO, TRYING TO EAT OR GET IN THE PROTEIN, THAT WAE A CHORE. I FEEL I COULD HAVE STAYED OUT JUST ONE MORE WEEK. I HAD THE RNY LAPROSCOPIC. I DONT KNOW, PERPHAPS, I COMPLAIN TOO MUCH. OH BY THE WAY, THE MORE YOU WALK ABOUT, THE QUICKER YOU WILL HEAL. IF YOU CANT GET UP TO WALK YOU CAN DO SIT DOWN EXCERCISES OR ERGANOMIC EXCERCISES AT YOUR DESK.
   — linda M.

August 12, 2003
I had LAP RNY on 8/15/2002 and actually could have returned to work based upon my physical feeling at about 2-3 weeks out, but was having problems with eating, energy and feeling I could eat in public so I waited til 5 weeks to return.
   — Cathy S.

August 13, 2003
I went back to my office job less than two weeks after lap surgery, without any problems. I have quite a bit more flexibility than you do, but as long as you have scheduled breaks and a lunch period, you should be able to get your meals and snacks in just fine. The only thing I would be concerned about is moving around a bit. If you're allowed to stand, then get up ocassionally to stretch your legs, and to stand on one leg while repeatedly bending the other back at the knee. This pumping action will keep the blood moving. I didn't find that I needed to go to the bathroom an extradordinary number of times, or that I needed to be gone very long. Bring food with you, and carefully select foods that you know you don't have any trouble with, and you should be fine.
   — Vespa R.

August 13, 2003
I went back to work exactly one week after having open RNY, and I actually enjoyed the distraction of it. I think that I didn't walk around a whole lot, just enough to move the blood around, but, with scheduled breaks, and just being able to stand up, you should be fine... I actually thought that the distraction of work to keep my mind off the food and the whole surgery was very welcome. It helped me to recover a lot faster I think. Good luck to you.
   — sheri H.

August 13, 2003
Hi, I'm the original poster...thanks for all your input! smile..I just wasn't sure what time frame I might be looking at to return to work...since we can't have food at our positions I guess I will have to rely on protein shakes or something! smile..again thanks for the input! Rhonda
   — Rhondaroo78