Question:
I am planning to go back to work 2wk post op ...
but can take more if necessary. Where I work it is just easier to ask for less & extend than ask for more & then need less & try to get it all sorted out. Anyhow. My worry maining is dumping and/or diarrhea. How much warning do you get on dumping? Is it pretty immediate after eating? And diarrhea. Any warning? I have a pretty flexible workplace. So going to bathroom isnt a problem. But it is still a little ways to get there. Also. Did anyone have any problems with fainting post op? — Sarah H. (posted on July 14, 2003)
July 14, 2003
Diarrhea was 2-3wks for me--no warning, think it was gas and --no it
wasn't. I would give it three weeks--I ofcourse went back to grad class 4
hrs. at 7 days, it wasn't that much moving but I was fairly tired--fall
asleep afterwards for four hours. By about the third week it was much
better. Good luck!
— who A.
July 14, 2003
Is it open or lap surgery? I would like input on this too, as I'm still
pre-op. Mine will be open RNY.
— Caryn R.
July 14, 2003
Sarah-I had lap RNY on 05.30.03 and went back to work two weeks later. I
had loose BMs for the first week and a half. The easiest way to not worry
about dumping is to not eat the foods that cause dumping and stick with the
plan. I think you will do great! Just listen to your body. This is a life
style change. If you can't do full days when you get back, you can try
half days to get back in to the groove. 6 weeks PO, -35 pounds
— Elizabeth G.
July 14, 2003
I never had a problem with dumping or diarrea or fainting. I had open RNY.
— thekatinthehat
July 14, 2003
I did originally plan on only taking 2 weeks off after my Lap RNY, but my
short term disabitly insurance approved me for 6 weeks off. I'm very glad
they did. I probably could of gone back about 4 weeks, but I still was
pretty tired and my energy hadn't returned yet. I am now 3.5 months post
op and just now finally going back to my job full time. I had a stricture
problem and now that that is fixed I feel 100% most the time. Good Luck
& God Bless. Julie Lap RNY April 8th, 2003. Starting weight 293
current weight 221.
— J. Wilkinson
July 14, 2003
I know you have heard this before, but it depends on the individual. I had
Lap RNY and had no problems returning to work after 2 weeks. My first week
back I had to leave a couple of hours early a few days (tired). If you stay
away from sugar you should not have a problem with dumping. If you chew
your food and eat slowly you should not have too much trouble with getting
sick. Diarrhea is an individual thing - I had no problem with it. God bless
on your up coming sugery Cheryl Lap RNY 13 mos. -125
— Cheryl S.
July 14, 2003
I had Open-RNY and glad I took my whole 6 weeks off. I went back to work
yesterday and didn't make it the whole 8 hours. Ask for the most leave off
-- you can always go back earlier if you are up to it.
— Starrlina
July 14, 2003
My husband & I both went back to office jobs two weeks post op open
RNY. No problems. I believe the more normal stuff you do (within reason)
the more normal you feel. You will have to listen to your own body.
— Karen N.
July 14, 2003
I had LAP and went back to work 7 days after surgery. Another person in the
Doctor's practice went back after 3 days. I would have gone back a few days
earlier if the JP tube was taken out sooner. That was the only thing giving
me discomfort. I have had no diarrhea. I did have a dumping problem with
several protein shakes. I am now in the habit of drinking a little of a new
protein drink, then waiting 15 min. If something doesn't happen by then, I
will not dump.
— M B.
July 14, 2003
Original poster here. Thanks to all of you for your input & kind
words. My surgery is planned to be lap. And I do understand what you are
saying about taking as much time off as permitted. Well. Where I work
that is 6mo. I do not think I will need that or pray that I won't &
besides. As I stated originally, where I work it is easier to request less
& extend, than the reverse. Suppose that is because I have to deal
with both company & union issues. Again. Thanks for the kind words.
I congratulate all of you on your success & good luck to those of you
as I .. pre-op.
— Sarah H.
July 15, 2003
I am a nurse. I work in neonatal intensive care so my patients are rarely
over 10 pounds, usually much less. I had open RNY 2-1/2 weeks ago and I was
able to return to work at 2 weeks postop. I had asked for six weeks off,
thinking that I would not be able to go back before then because of the
heavy lifting restriction. However, I have energy, and I actually feel
better now than I did before surgery so I asked my boss if I could come
back with the heavy lifting restriction and they allowed me to. Of course I
had a note from my doctor okaying this. He said if I felt up to it it was
fine to go back to work. If I have to move any heavy equipment my coworkers
will help me as they have all been very supportive of me. I am per diem, so
I can pick and choose when I work which is nice. I worked a four-hour shift
on both Sat. and Sun. this past weekend to start because I did not want to
get worn out. I really felt that I could have worked longer though, but I
did not want to go back and work a 12-hour shift to start. I will probably
just work some 8-hour shifts for the next few weeks, maybe 2 a week. I find
it has helped me to get out of the house. So far I am not experiencing any
depression, and I think it is because I am feeling good and got back to
work so soon. Good luck to you.
— DebT
July 15, 2003
I am 2 weeks post op lap RNY. I work as a physician office manager and
while it's not real physical, it's very stressful. I have started to do
some work from home. Two days ago I sat at the computer for 2 1/2 hours
and was exhausted afterwards. We're each different in our recovery. I
plan to take 4 weeks off and here's my main reason: two years ago I had 3
outpatient surgeries in 6 weeks time. I went back to work as soon as I
could. I was o.k. for about 6 weeks and then all of a sudden, it seemed
like I hit a brick wall. I was exhausted, depressed, and very emotional.
I ended up on a 6 week leave of absence to allow my body time to rest. My
physician said even though I looked o.k. outside and felt o.k. most of the
time, my body was still using a lot of energy to heal inside where I
couldn't see. I don't want to have this happen again, so I'm taking the
full 4 weeks my surgeon advised. My workplace has been very supportive.
During post op recovery, I truly believe that lots of rest is one of the
best things you can do after any surgery or illness. Of course, follow
your guidelines for walking, drinking and eating, but when you feel tired,
take a break and rest. Remember, this is a MAJOR surgery and lifestyle
change. Good luck! Lap RNY 7/1/03 -20 lbs.
— Liz R.
July 16, 2003
I HAD OPEN RNY, AND RETURNED TO WORK AFTER 2 WEEKS. I HAD NO PROBLEMS
GOING BACK TO AN OFFICE SIT-DOWN JOB.
— Kendra P.
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