Question:
How long will I be off work with a Lap Bypass
I am scheduled for surgery April 1st. What is the normal time I will be off work? I told my employeer I would be back May 3rd. Is that too long/short? — Patty N. (posted on February 15, 2004)
February 15, 2004
When I was first looking into this I imagined the worst being unable to do
anything for a long time. See my profile for detailed post op activities.
A month should be long enough.
— bob-haller
February 15, 2004
Our surgeon told us that almost all lap patients are "ready" to
go back to work at 3 weeks, but that we could return to work earlier if we
wanted to. We were told not to drive until we were no longer needing pain
medications, and none of us required any pain medications after 5 days
post-op. We were instructed to observe the standard lifting
precautions....no more than 15 lbs. for the first 6 weeks post-op...but had
no other restrictions. I returned to a full-time office position in 8
days, and it required a moderate amount of walking. My daughter went back
to teaching a classroom of rowdy 4-year-olds in 14 days. We had absolutely
no problems other than being more tired than usual at the end of the day.
By the third week post-op, we all felt completely "back to
normal". Everyone's tolerance to anesthesia, surgery, pain, and
activity are different. Remember that lap surgery is still a "major
surgery"....the work on the inside is exactly the same....only the
outside "access" is different. Follow your post-op instructions
to the letter...try to get out of bed and start moving as soon after
surgery as possible...keep walking as much as possible when you get home
(don't just get in the recliner/bed and "vegetate")....then
listen to your own body...it'll tell you when it's ready to go back to
work. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
February 15, 2004
I think a lot would depend on how physical your job is, but that should be
plenty of time to recover. I had a desk job that required no lifting and
was back to work in two weeks. But if your employer already expects you to
be out a month and is fine with that, I say go with it! First, it gives
you some leeway in case you have any complications or problems. Second,
you can return to work earlier than they expect, saying you just couldn't
bear not to be there and look like the model employee! ;-) And since you
returned earlier than they expected, they'll cut you some slack if you tire
easier and leave early in the afternoons, for example. For the first
couple of weeks, you probably will find yourself tiring quicker or taking
cat naps during the day - residue of anesthesia, I guess.
— sandsonik
February 15, 2004
I agree with Sandra, if you have the time and the OK of your employer take
the whole month. I had Open RNY and was back in 2 weeks, but I do have a
desk job and no real backup, so the work was just sitting there. Good Luck!
— Ali M
February 15, 2004
My doctor was willing to give me up to six weeks off work. I went back
after 4-1/2, but probably could have gone a little sooner. A month should
be about right.
— Carlita
February 15, 2004
I think its too short. Most doctors recommend six weeks recovery time from
lap RNY. that is how long i was out. believe me, i had no complications but
getting used to eating , sipping etc is a bit hard at first. you will not
feel like returning to work in four weeks.....you need at least six. Bruni
— Brunilda T.
February 15, 2004
I think its too short. Most doctors recommend six weeks recovery time from
lap RNY. that is how long i was out. believe me, i had no complications but
getting used to eating , sipping etc is a bit hard at first. you will not
feel like returning to work in four weeks.....you need at least six. Bruni
— Brunilda T.
February 15, 2004
I was 46 years old, had a desk job and went back to work full time on the
12th day after lap RNY. It really depends on how YOU feel. I had an
incredible amount of energy after surgery, but some people are the total
opposite. Hope all goes well!
— koogy
February 15, 2004
I was back to work after a week. I am at work now and I had my Lap-Bypass
on Feb 4 2004
— T P.
February 16, 2004
If you can take off that amount of time then go for it. I am a very hyper
person and I was away from work 1 1/2 weeks from an open rny. I'm a sales
rep, I was driving at 2 weeks with the doctors permission. I found the
best thing I could do for myself was to be up and moving from the first day
of recovery on....
— debmi
February 16, 2004
It all depends on your job. I have to pull myself up onto and get off a
fork lift numerous times during an 8 hr. shift. I am 5 weeks out today
& just got things straightened out this past Friday as far as getting
food down without all kinds of pain & MAJOR gurgling. I had to have a
scope then a balloon stretched things out a bit. I'm going to enjoy my
last week off work.
— squeejlueej
February 16, 2004
2 weeks! I had lap on Jan. 6th. I could have gone back on my 2nd week but
gave myself a third week for good measure! I was under for 5.5 hours due
to scar tissue. My doctor was fantastic! I feel great and went back to
work and worked part-time for 5 days and am back full-time now for the past
3 weeks! Just use your body as a guide. I have not been sick on any foods
and will not try anything I haven't tried at home when I am out. I take my
lunch to work and get full after a few bites so plan on bringing a book to
read during lunch! Best of luck to you!
— Tracy S.
February 16, 2004
I went back to work in 6 weeks, I could have gone back in 4 weeks if I had
a "sit down" job. I mainly just got really tired easly! But you
can do it.
— Sarah J.
February 16, 2004
I had my surgery on 2-4-04, and today was my first full day back at
work...and I worked about 10 hours over the course of last week also. Alas,
I work for a non-profit, and because of budget cuts, we're understaffed, so
it's hard for most of us to take too many days off in a row.
— Le P.
February 16, 2004
I had a lap RNY and went back to work at just about 3 weeks. I am a
special education teacher, and am pretty active, but I kinda made
accomodations for the first week. I didn't take the kids to lunch which I
usually do---we ate in the classroom, to avoid excess stairs. I usually
take the class out in the field for vocational training 1 morning a week,
but I traded with a colleague who helped me out w/ administrative
permission for the first week. I was driven to work the first week, too.
I was ok, but wasn't good for doing too much at home the first week back to
work. After the first weekend following the return to work, I was pretty
much back to myself. I was 45 and out of shape, with minimal
complications. Everyone is individual though. Good luck!
— Fixnmyself
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