Question:
I have a sedentary job, but am characteristially tired alot, and need alot of sleep

I'm looking at the prospect of surgery, not sure yet whether it will be open, or Lap., but wonder how long to plan to be off work. Have month's worth of time on the books, and am a long-term employee - they'll have to give whatever I ask for. Is 6 weeks too long for both procedures, or is that asking for the moon? It is a very stressful, terribly fast-paced ,job, and don't want to compromise anything. I won't tell them what the surgery is, although they'll probably figure it out - they may guess hysterectomy, but I'm wondering is 6 weeks is too long for hysterctomy, too? Thanks for all your help. Pam Cerda    — pam C. (posted on May 24, 2003)

May 24, 2003
I don't think 6 weeks is too long at all to ask for. My surgeon told me originally I'd be off for 4-6 weeks. I went back at the 4 week mark because I had been doing so well and plus I had no sick time to take and needed $! I think a hysterectomy would feasibly require 6 weeks as well, so you're safe either way. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 24, 2003
Pam, I don't think it's unrealistic to ask for that. I often hear 4-6 weeks is the norm. You may need more time, you may need less, its so hard to tell. LAP recovery typically goes faster, so that could have an impact. I have experience with an open and lap surgery and can tell you that LAP took less time for recovery. And if you feel ok even after 3 weeks, you may still want that remaining time to sleep and rest, like you mentioned you'll need. I was the same way- and I'm 1 year post-op and have so much more energy and rarely take naps anymore- so WLS even helped with that! Goodluck to you :-)
   — Lezlie Y.

May 24, 2003
I am 5 weeks out from open surgery and I am JUST now getting to the point where I feel good enough to get out and start living life again. Everyone is different, but my recovery is still in process. There is no way that I could go back to work yet. I would say ask for 6 weeks and if you need more time, let them know. That is what I have had to do. Best wishes!
   — Jaimie L.

May 25, 2003
Your job may be sedentary--but like you said it is fast paced. I felt one of the biggest hurdles in the recovery--was not the physical return to work--but the mental. My concentration was shot--my vocabulary was confused, and the multi-tasking required--all but non-existent. Physically, I was on top of the world at 2 weeks (open RNY)--mentally it was 10 weeks. The anesthesia was my real need for recovery. Good Luck...
   — Wannabe A.

May 25, 2003
You could try a compromise, if your workplace can handle it -- four weeks off entirely, then part-time (half days) for two weeks after that, for a total of six weeks. That way, if you find it's too fast, no one will be surprised (since they only expected you back part-time at first anyway). If you find you can handle it, you can go back to full-time a little earlier (thereby saving your leave). Let 'em think it's a hysterectomy, btw -- otherwise, you may run into prejudices that will affect how your leave request is handled, pre- and post-op.<P>I had open, which I'm told is tougher to recover from than lap, but with either procedure, you will have major adjustments to eating and drinking limited amounts in the beginning, and limited energy (from reduced food, and from anesthesia recovery, etc.). Physically, I could've gone back to a sedentary job after three weeks, but I would've been miserable, I think. I went back, full-time, at four weeks, but I definitely wasn't doing "fast-paced" work at that point. Good luck with your surgery!
   — Suzy C.

May 25, 2003
Dear Pam: I don't think 6 weeks is too long to ask for. As the other posters have said, you might want to take that time off to adjust to your new way of eating and get on a schedule. If you feel better sooner, and your surgeon will release you, then you could go back sooner. They would certainly give you 6 weeks off if you needed maternity leave or some other major issue, and whether it's lap or open it IS STILL a major surgery. I don't blame you for not wanting to tell them what surgery you're having...many people still view WLS as cosmetic rather than medically necessary. Just advise your supervisors that you MAY need 6 weeks off for recovery, that way they can get in some temporary help if necessary. Good Luck!
   — Moysa B.

May 25, 2003
Six weeks is pretty standard for post op recovery. However, it will ultimately be up to you and your surgeon when you can go back to work. I had lap RNY 10/29/02 and went back to work 12 days after surgery. I felt fine, and felt better going back so no one messed up the stuff I do! My husband was set to go back to work 4 weeks post lap RNY, but developed a minor complication and wound up being off the whole 6 weeks, plus it has been physically taxing (even with a desk job) for him to be back at work. The point is - every one is different, so see how you feel after surgery, but from a planning standpoint, 6 weeks is average.
   — koogy