Question:
I am starting to worry about not being able to get back to work post-op

Hi. I won't be having surgery until May or June, but with all the possible complications and all, I am really starting to worry about not being able to get back in to my work. I'm in sales, so its very important for me to be out in the field every day. I am taking 2 weeks off for lap rny. I just dont want to end up taking a ton of time and telling my boss that it is because of an "elective" surgery. ANyone else have this feeling or experience?    — emilyfink (posted on March 29, 2002)

March 29, 2002
I had a LAP RNY on Jan 3rd, 2002..I can tell you that I was not ready for anything but naps at 2 weeks post op.I did have a complication of excessive blood loss and was very weak.But even without the complication, I don't think I would have been ready to go to work after 2 weeks. There are people who do post on the message board and they do go back to work right away. Maybe you will be able to. You just have to see how things go and how you feel.
   — garyzgurl

March 29, 2002
I didn't feel ready to go back to work after my lap RNY, until 2 1/2 weeks. I went back part-time at that point. Everyone is different, however. You may be ready much earlier than I was.
   — Kathy J.

March 29, 2002
I am 2 1/2 weeks post-op LAP RNY... I FEEL GREAT!! I am able to do all the things I always have done, plus I am walking a mile everyday.. Yes at bedtime I am out like a light shortly after lying down but I am doing great and have more energy than I have had in years.. STAY ON TOP OF YOUR PROTEIN AND FLUIDS :-) GOOD LUCK! PS My husband had his surgery open same day as I did and he is back to work as well!
   — Allie A.

March 29, 2002
i was out of work for 5 weeks. i had that much sick time. However, it would have been impossible for me to return to work in two or three weeks. I had hemmorhaged and lost a total of six pts of blood in one day. I do not know if my long recuperation time was due to blood loss or just "routine" response to this incredible surgical intervention. PLEASE don;t push yourself back to work too soon. You could force the issue and become ill, warranting more sick leave. Please think of what;s in your best interest FIRST, then your employer's response.
   — michelle R.

March 29, 2002
Well Emily I'll report this.....I am just home post-op today.....and allow me to say.....I feel pretty deep fried.....I was on the table for 7+ hours.....I think the blood loss has something to do with it.....but maybe people are right.....I just took some Proteinex (15 mgs in 2TBLS) and I do not feel like eating anything pureed.....I'm just not hungry.....I am trying to go back to work in 3 more weeks.....taking total time off of 4 weeks.....I am not getting paid for one of them.....I have some incentive to go back in that timeframe.....however.....THIS IS ONE TIME WE NEED TO LISTEN TO OUR BODIES.....OR GO TO THE DOCTOR AND ASK HIM/HER TO LISTEN TO IT.....MAYBE BOTH......the bottom line is.....HEALTH IS FIRST.....FAMILY IS SECOND.....JOB IS THIRD.....AND I DO UNDERSTAND WITHOUT A JOB THERE IS NO INSURANCE.....BUT WITHOUT YOU!!!!! WE REALLY ALL HAVE NOTHING.....DO YA FEEL ME:=)
   — Robert B.

March 29, 2002
There are two important things to remember here. First, you cannot "own" anyone else's experience....everyone has different tolerances to surgery, general anesthesia, post-op pain, etc... What worked for me, may not be your experience at all. Secondly, listen to your body...it will tell you when you are ready to step up the pace....and give yourself ample opportunities for rest and early bedtimes. Also take advantage of any extra help with chores around the house that you can solicit from family members or friends. Those first couple of weeks post-op is a time to be good to yourself....after that, most lap RNY patients begin to feel pretty normal again. All that being said, I will share that I returned to a full-time office position 8 days after my lap RNY, and my daughter (who teaches a classroom of rowdy 3 yr. olds) returned to work in 14 days post-lap RNY. Aside from a higher-than-usual fatigue level, we both did great. We were in agreement that we wouldn't have wanted anyone to bump into our tummies, or hug us too tightly on our return to work, but other than that, we were fine. Concentrate on keeping your protein intake up, especially during those first weeks when your pouch is still swollen from the surgery and you can't eat more than a few teaspoons of anything. Can you look into working half-days for the first week back at work?....you might find that to be helpful. Don't over-do....take good care of yourself....you have a whole new life to look forward to! Good luck!
   — Diana T.

March 29, 2002
I was allowed 6 weeks off work and I needed every bit of it. I'm not sure why it took me so long to recouperate but I didn't even drive until I was nearly 5 weeks post-op. Then suddenly something 'clicked' and I feel pretty normal. I did have some trouble with bleeding and had 3 units of blood so perhaps that had something to do with it. The point is, everyone is different. When I found out I got 6 weeks short-term disability I figured I'd recouperate for a week or two and then have a months vacation. NOT. Good luck to you.
   — marz S.

March 29, 2002
Unfortunatly there is just no way to know ahead of time when you will be ready to return to work. My original plan was to take three weeks off, but I ended up taking four and would have been better off with five. I had mine done open, if you have lap that will cut down the healing time. I've read posts from people who have returned after just 2 weeks with no problems. If you are able to take more time off, I'd recommend it. If you try to return too early, you could end up causing yourself harm and being forced to take more time off.
   — Bobbie B.

March 30, 2002
I am 12 days post-op. I had a lap - R-NY. I am a Human Resource consultant who gets paid by the hour (same pay structure as sales). I did not tell my boss or clients the exact nature of my surgery. I told work and my clients that I would be totally unavailable for 1 week and working from home part-time the 2nd week. Because I can't get in to see my doctor until next week - I am planning to now work from home part-time for the 3rd week. I really think that 3 weeks will be enough. And if given a choice - I probably would have preferred to NOT work at all. I get tired easily and my ability to focus is not at its best - but putting in about 3 hours a day hasn't been bad. Note: You don't have to tell your boss or anyone the exact nature of your surgery. It is completely confidential and the information can only be disclosed w/your permission.
   — Yvette W.

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