Question:
How soon have many of you gone back to work after surgery?

I really only want to be off work for 2 weeks...can I do it? I don't do any lifting, just walking and putting patients in rooms..I work for a surgeon...I am hoping to hear that some people felt OK, other than being tired...I know that's normal..I am praying to go back and get on with this! Too exciting to just hang around at home! Jami    — Jami C. (posted on January 31, 2003)

January 31, 2003
Jami!!!! Honey!!!! 2 weeks? Are you doing open or lap? I had open surgery and stayed out of work for 6 weeks. My boyfriend who had lap stayed out for 3. Give yourself time to heal. I can guarantee you will be weak and extremely tired. Work will still be there when you feel better.
   — Regina C.

January 31, 2003
Hi Jami, I know it isn't the norm, but I went back to work (teacher) on my tenth day post op. I felt fine. I was tired for about three weeks...slept more than usual every night... about 9 or 10 hours. But I was fine. I had lap rny.(8/16/02) Like you, I searched for as many people as I could find who had gone back to work quickly. When I saw that it was possible I figured I too could do this. I was good with the protein..started before surgery. Same with good supplements and lots of water. Good luck.
   — Maureen R.

January 31, 2003
I went back to work two weeks post-op with no problems at all. I am an administrative assistant and found that I could do all my normal duties except unpacking the materials that were shipped to us. Someone else did that for me for a couple of months. I was tired at first - came home every night and slept for about an hour before I could prepare dinner. That lasted about three weeks, I think. Then one day, suddenly, it dawned on me that I wasn't taking that nap. That's when I decided that I was fully recovered. Best of luck to you.
   — Patty_Butler

January 31, 2003
Hi Jami. I had surgery (open rny) on 1/17/03 and went back to work on 1/27/03. I work in an office and was fine. I have felt great and could have gone sooner. I think everyone is different, but I did A LOT of walking the week after my surgery and I think that really helped in my recovery. Good luck! (Open 1/17/03 - 20 lbs gone)
   — Lisa F.

January 31, 2003
Hi--I had lap RNY on a Wednesday and was back to work on Monday--desk job. Only 3 days off work. About 1 week post-op I felt my strength was up to 100%. Good luck!
   — Sarah S.

January 31, 2003
I plan on being back at work in 3 weeks or less. I will have open-RNY 2-18-03. One thing to think of is if you are taking FMLA or leave of absence, if you come back before your return date, your employer will ask for a return to work release from your MD. I work at a hospital, desk job and they wrote that on my LOA request. Good Luck!
   — karlahill

February 1, 2003
I had the Open RNY and I was back to work at 3 weeks although I had planned on being back at 2. I got sick the week I was going back to work, but I had the energy to return. When I did return to work I did so at 1/2 days, but because of crisis that occurred was doing full days by the 3rd day and haven't looked back. I actually did plan on only 2 weeks too, even though I very well could have taken 6 weeks or more off. It really depends on how you're feeling. You can always plan on 2 weeks, and do 1/2 days the week you return. Most surgeons will write up your return to work thing to accommodate you and your own healing process. Also, I found that it was easier for me to plan my half days for the morning because I could come home and have a nap and still wake-up at a decent time to enjoy my evening. I usually didn't go into work until 8 and if it was one of those days that my toilet and I were close personal friends I just went in when I felt better, worked my 4 hours and went home, regardless of what time I got there, 8, 9 or 10. Yes, I realize that my job is much more flexible than others...just letting you know what worked for me. :-) Good luck to you!
   — Click