Question:
HOW LONG SHOULD I EXPECT TO BE OFF WORK?
I will be having lap (hopefully) rny surgery and need to request time off from work. How long do you think I should tell him I'll be gone? — Allee Z. (posted on February 26, 2003)
February 26, 2003
Hi, I had a lap RNY on 2/18 and plan to be back at work 3 weeks from the
surgery. I told my supervisors that I might need a 4th week. If things go
as they have been, I THINK I'll make the 3 week mark. Good luck!!
— Fixnmyself
February 26, 2003
Everybody recovers at a different pace. I took 1 1/2 weeks off, but was
extremely tired when I returned. I would come home from work and take a
three hour nap. Even though there was not pain, the body was still trying
to heal. The body is also adjusting to the amount of nourishment it will be
getting. I was lucky because I work for a doctor and on the days when we
had a light patient load, I was able to leave early. The best rule is to be
true to yourself.
— Sue A.
February 26, 2003
As previously stated, everyone is different. I had 2 weeks off and was
very very tired and sore. I think that 4 weeks would have been ideal for
me but others go back at 2 weeks with no problem.
— susanje
February 26, 2003
LAP-RNY on October 8, 2002. Went back to work one week later. Bad move. I
was SO tired..... but it all works out. 4 and a half months and down 82.
Good luck to you.
— Steve B.
February 26, 2003
I had open rny on jan 16th 03. I just returned to work on monday the 24th
of feb. 5 weeks off. I didn't need that much, but I needed a vacation.
So, I took one!
— Luscious1 X.
February 26, 2003
I had an open and worked (3) 1/2 days during week three. This week (4) I
am working 6-1/2 to 7 hours a day. The first two 1/2 days I worked I came
home and slept for 2 hours. Yesterday, I laid down on a bench in the
women's room for a 1/2 hour just to rest at lunch time.
<p>A lot depends on how your recovery goes and what kind of job you
have. If you are doing well I would recommend going back 1/2 days for a
week if you can and then go back full time. Listen to your body and
proceed accordingly. My surgeon originally wanted to put 4-6 weeks on my
medical release for work and I told him I would never survive at home that
long. I've had many surgeries and never missed more than 4 days or work,
so 4-6 weeks wasn't going to become reality unless I had complications. He
agreed to write down minimum 2 weeks. I'm not even sure if he knows I've
gone back to work because he hasn't asked and I did not think it was
important. He is happy with how things are going and that's all that
matters.
<p>My best recommendation is to have a plan but be flexible.
— zoedogcbr
February 26, 2003
I had an open RNY with gallbladder removal, ovary removal, and hernia
repair almost two weeks ago. My job is to teach..mostly sitting with some
blackboard work and walking a bit around campus. My plan is to go back
next week for two days. Frankly, I can't wait.
— Diane M.
February 26, 2003
my dr. starts with six weeks i needed an aditional two after that. after
surgery i felt sicker than a dog.
— kimberly T.
February 26, 2003
I had lap rny Jan 30th and I was off starting Jan 28th due to the bowel
prep I had to do. I just returned to work Feb 18th and felt fine. I planned
to come back a week prior but I really was in no condition to do so. Guess
it all depends on how you feel and if you feel you are ready. I would give
your work a time frame with worst case scenerio time off and let them know
you may return sooner. That's what I did and it worked out fine with my
employer. But they were very understanding about it all and bent over
backwards for me. So, if you have an employer that will work with you I
don't see why there would be a problem if you are unsure exactly how long
you'll be off.
— Dee ,.
February 26, 2003
I had an open, and I was off for 3 and a half weeks...
— thekatinthehat
February 27, 2003
I was back to work full-time after 2 weeks post-op open rny.
— Karla K.
February 27, 2003
I had an Open RNY on 2/12/03...just called today (2/27/03) to make sure
that my disability claims group had received all the necessary paperwork
from my doctor. Not only had they received it, but they gave me my
"return-to-work date": March 31st! That's about 6 & 1/2
weeks of disability at 100% pay. And I didn't even have to ask for it.
Not that I'm complaining. I think that it really depends on what kind of
coverage your employer does or doesn't provide.
— Amy W.
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