Question:
Has anyone returned to work after 2 weeks? (RNY to desk job)

I will be starting a new job next week. The following Friday I have my first consult with my surgeon. I've waited so long, and I desperately want to have surgery. Is it possible to return to work after 2 weeks? I don't want to delay the operation, but I don't know if it is reasonable to expect or not...    — Lauren C. (posted on March 11, 2002)

March 11, 2002
I had no complications, and I work retail. And I reterned to work after just 2 weeks off. I felt I could have gone back the first week but I was still to tired and needed to take a few naps a day. I did take it lightly and relaxed a few times during the day when I went back. But I did just fine. E-mail me if you want to know more. [email protected]
   — nkoehler88

March 11, 2002
I'm going back to work tomorrow, I had my lap RNY on March 1st.
   — Mary C.

March 11, 2002
I had open RNY on Jan 28th and went back to work just one week after surgery. I have a primarily desk job, but, I do have to get up and down a lot also to work a cash window. I was happy to get back to work, being at home was driving me crazy. Sitting at home was making me emotional and I kepy having crying spells. Best of luck to you!
   — Jennifer C.

March 11, 2002
I went back to my desk job after three weeks and I was still terribly fatigued. I had to go part time. It was six weeks before I could go a whole day without a three-hour nap in the afternoon. However, when the fatigue did finally go away, it did so very quickly - one day I woke up, and it was gone.
   — BlueGray

March 11, 2002
I went back to my part time job, part of the time at 2 weeks. I was not at all well before my WLS, so it was more recovery from that then from the WLS itself.
   — vitalady

March 11, 2002
I work in a phone customer svc unit for a large insurance co. I went back at 2 weeks for 1/2 days. I doubt I would have been able to do full. A week later (3 weeks out) I went full time again. I was tired for a few weeks but it is do-able.
   — Jennifer H.

March 11, 2002
My daughter and I had lap RNY surgery. I returned to a full-time office position 8 days post-op, and she returned to teaching pre-school 14 days post-op. We both experienced more fatigue than usual, and had to observe some lifting precautions (no more than 15 lbs. for the first 6 weeks), but other than that everything was fine, and we experienced no problems.
   — Diana T.

March 11, 2002
I started a new job April 30 of 2001 and had surgery June 21. I returned two weeks after Open RNY to my desk job and did fine. If I had the option, I might have waited three weeks just because I was really tired. But I just went home and slept after work and did fine.
   — PT LawMom

March 11, 2002
I went back to work 10 days after my lap RNY but I really should have waited 2 weeks. After 2 weeks it was almost like I hadn't had surgery at all!
   — ctyst

March 12, 2002
I had my open RNY on a Thursday. Took off the next week and returned on Monday, only 7 work days missed. Have a desk Job were I am in a manager-like position so I could delegate a lot. Good Luck
   — Danielle M.

March 12, 2002
I had open RNY and went back to teaching in two weeks.
   — cindy Q.

March 12, 2002
I had an Open RNY, and returned back to work 2.5 weeks after. I honestly could have returned in 2 weeks but as it was the middle of the week I decided to take an extra 3 days. Good luck.
   — Lisa Marie S.

March 12, 2002
I had open and took 7 weeks. My friend was back in 2. It all depends on you. If you think you can do it, then by all means, but don't push yourself too much. You're going to find that your energy level will be low. Find out from your new employer if you can take another week before starting.
   — dolphins94

March 12, 2002
I had a lap RNY and was back to work in 10 days. But I have a fairly easy job, mostly sitting with some walking. I think the reason I was able to return to work so quickly hasomething to do with once I left the hospital after my surgery I didn't take any pain medication. The only thing that made me feel better was walkng around.
   — Jenni M.

March 12, 2002
I had Open RNY and was released to return to work 12 days post-op. I didn't go back till 2 weeks 2 days post because I had my surgery 3 hours from home and couldn't get back til the weekend. But when I went back I worked a full 8 hours a day with not problems at all. I did take a nap when I got home every day - but that only lasted about two weeks.
   — Patty_Butler

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