Question:
I am having open WLS how soon can you return to work? I do payroll and sit at a desk

can I be back to work in two weeks?    — Stacey F. (posted on January 16, 2003)


January 16, 2003
Please do yourself a favor and take as much time off as you possibly can. Sitting at a desk takes lots of abdominal muscles, and if you start getting in pain the ride home could be very painful. PLUS, if you are taking pain pills you SHOULD NEVER DRIVE. If your surgeon says 4-6 weeks, plan on 4-6 weeks. You will need time to adjust and heal. Your long term health will benefit in the long run.
   — Cara F.

January 16, 2003
I too have a desk job, and I was out 6 weeks after my open RNY. After that I only worked 3 days a week for a couple of weeks.
   — GPoynor

January 16, 2003
I think it completely depends on the person. I had open RNY on 6/12/02. I am in sales, so my job requires a lot of driving and walking. I was back out to working in the field 3 days and home 3 days in 3 weeks. I also flew to Chicago (from PA) to visit a friend 3 weeks post and flew to TX for business at 4 weeks. I felt great!
   — emilyfink

January 16, 2003
I was out 30 days 20 (with no pay)but this was ok...im older i was almost 59 when i had the surgery..and i was EXHAUSTED after.took me about 2 wks too start feeling good and then the next week to get some engergy back...but sitting at a desk you might be ok.I have a desk job too..but just didnt feel like "dealing" with anything..DONT LIFT ANYTHING FOR 3 MONTHS...
   — Jackiis

January 16, 2003
I HAD WLS ON 8/7/02 AND I ALSO HAVE AN OFFICE JOB. I WAS OFF 9 WEEKS W/NO COMPLICATIONS. IT WAS TWO WEEKS AFTER SURGERY BEFORE MY SURGEON WOULD EVEN OK ME TO DRIVE...I THEN WENT THROUGH A MILD DEPRESSION...I HAD OPEN RNY...I WOULD SUGGEST YOU PREPARE FOR MORE TIME. BETTER TO BE PREPARED AND ABLE TO TAKE EXTRA TIME OFF THEN BEING FORCED TO RETURN TOO SOON...GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
   — patti R.

January 16, 2003
I had an open RNY without any complications and i can tell you what some one told me, it is a kick ass surgery, i drove at 8 days and regretted it, but was ok to go back to work at 3 weeks. The staples were the worst, after they were out life was back to normal so to speak. You will find that sitting in a chair and sitting up towards the desk or computer in any type of slouched postion is very uncomfortable, is gets to me sometimes even at 6 weeks. but the more you can stretch out and starighten out your ok., Good luck....
   — keller W.

January 16, 2003
I had open RNY on 12/16/02, and would suggest taking at least 3 weeks off. I went back to teaching (from my desk) at three weeks with little trouble, but I don't think I could have done it a week earlier. All those abdominal muscles, we don't think we have, really are burried down there and doing quite a bit for us... Remember they are cutting through all the muscles, it was more painful than I expected. Take you time.
   — Suzanne M.

January 16, 2003
I think that we are all different. I was 51 when I had the surgery in 2001. I took 6 weeks off work and went back full time. Big mistake. I needed to take longer or just go back part time. I know others who went back sooner without any difficulty. My BMI was 58 when I had surgery. With a lower BMI, you might be able to cope better. Best of luck to you.
   — Julia O.

January 16, 2003
I had open rny and also have a sit down job. I went back at 1 week post op for just 4 to 5 hours a day. I felt so indebted to my employeer that i hated to stay out any longer. I was really tired though. I would come home and take a nap before my 4 yr old came home. I did that for a couple of weeks and then went back to full days. Everyone is different and heals at their own pace, but it helped me to get busy and not dwell on my surgery so much. Best of luck to you.
   — Leigh S.

January 16, 2003
I am 48, 5'10" size 30-32. I had my surgery 12/23, I went back to work last Monday 1/13 full time. I went in part time 2-3 hours a day the week before. I work as a Marketing Consultant for five radio stations. I did not drive or call on clients until this week. I had a great recovery from an open, no need for pain pills and my incision is nearly healed. I think you will be fine, dont lift more than ten pounds until weeks post op.PS my clients are amazed --they say I look wonderful --thank you God!
   — debmi

January 16, 2003
hi there :) i had open rny on feb 8 02 and did absolutely wonderful with it. i was out for 8 weeks and probably could have returned sooner but didnt. i was so low energy and so moody and even post op depressed that i was afraid id either fall asleep at work or rip a co workers head off for no reason so i just took the time and took care of me, even at 8 weeks i was still pretty tired. best of luck to you. :)
   — carrie M.

January 16, 2003
I am 60 years old, went back part time at 3 weeks, full time at 4 weeks. I had an easy surgery and recovery. I was very tired, but was able to work as a bookkeeper.
   — faybay

January 16, 2003
Lot of this depends on your tolerance when in pain/sick. I think I deal fairly well. I'm 29. Was back to work in 3.5 weeks. Could have gone back sooner if I was able to work 1/2 days for a while but...take the time you need. Don't push yourself. Recovery from this is no joke. REST!
   — Janice P.

January 16, 2003
Open RNY July 02, 2002. Off for less than two weeks, went back July 15, 2002. I was a revision from VBG, two nights in, no complications. I left early the first couple of days back, but by the end of the first week was back to 8 hours/day. All depends on your job (I too have a desk job); and your reaction to the surgery. Everyone is different. I just could not afford to be off for more time than that, no one else here to do my job, and I have monthly deadlines to meet.
   — Ali M

January 17, 2003
I was 55 years old when I had my Open RNY and was released to go back to work at 12 days post-op. I went back full time with no problems whatsoever.
   — Patty_Butler

January 21, 2003
Hi Stacy, I also do payroll, I was released on Thursday and returned to work on Monday for 4 hours a day, and full time the following week. I was tired by the end of the day, but had no problems. Good luck, hope all goes well.
   — Valerie M.

January 21, 2003
I work in the customer service call center for a bank. I had an open RNY 07-08-02 and went back to work on 07-23-02. I was off for 2 weeks and one day. I felt fine to go back after the first week, but my surgeon would not release me until after my 2 week follow-up appointment, which was scheduled for the 22nd. The surgeon cleared me to go back at that appointment, and I was at work the next day. So it certainly is possible, but only you know your limits. Listen to your body. It will tell you whether it's time to go back or not.
   — Jenny S.




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