Question:
With open RNY, approximately how long will it be before I can return to work.
I am going to have open RNY. My doctor said I would be out for 1-2 weeks. This doesn't seem like very long. I have a desk job. Can anyone tell me if this is right? I would like to give my boss an "idea" of when I will return to work. — [Anonymous] (posted on December 31, 2001)
December 31, 2001
I went back to work a week after open rny. I also have a desk job. I am now
at 6 weeks and have had no problems.
— christine C.
December 31, 2001
I had open RNY and was out 3 weeks, including my 5 days in hospital. I also
have a desk job.
— Jennifer H.
December 31, 2001
Probably a lot will depend upon your age and whether or not you have
complications. I had problems and I didn't go back to work for 6 weeks and
that was really too soon. 2 weeks seems very optimistic to me. My doctor
gave me 6 weeks even before I had the complications. Can you do half days?
or every other day? Plan for the worst and hope for the best.
— Mary G.
December 31, 2001
I am 59 and was out of work for three weeks. The fourth week I couldn't
last all day. I worked full time after that.
— faybay
December 31, 2001
I am 55 years old and had Open RNY on November 20, 2001. My surgeon
released me to drive and to return to work on December 11 - 12 days
post-op. I didn't return until December 17 because I had the surgery out
of town and couldn't get back home til the weekend but when I returned I
worked a full day. I have had no problems, other than being tired when I
get home - but I was tired when I got home before I had the surgery.
Everyone at my office was amazed that I returned so soon and in such good
shape.
Patty Butler
— Patty_Butler
December 31, 2001
I had an Open RNY 14 months ago. I was out of work for 5 weeks, and only
went back the first week part time, and the second week I went back full
time. It was still very hard, and I had a desk job. I tired very easily
and I was still quite sore. However, I am a total wimp when it comes to
pain. I just had a second surgery to correct a bowel obstruction (Read my
profile for more information on that one). I am 2 weeks postop and I still
feel icky all the time. I guess it depends on your tolerance level. I am
again taking 4-6 weeks off of work to recover from this surgery. However,
this is just my own personal experience. Yours may be different. I would
tell your boss 5-6 weeks, but explain that you would like to play it by ear
and possibly come back part time earlier to see how you do and how you
feel. My boss was extremely understanding and compassionate. I hope you
have a similar experience with yours. Good luck!
— enjo4
December 31, 2001
Hi! Well, of course each of us are different. I am six weeks out today
and I have not yet returned to work. My doctor won't release me because I
work in healthcare with a lot of heavy lifting. I have also had a lot of
trouble with vomiting and diarhea. Typically, with a desk job they like to
see you take at least four weeks off for your own good. No need rushing
back to work and making yourself sick. You need to take time to get used
to your new lifestyle and eating habits. If your company gives you the
time, by all means take it! Good luck to you! Amy
— purdue_1993
December 31, 2001
I had open rny on Aug. 31st last year. I went back to my desk job half time
on Sept. 18th and slowly worked my way up to full time by Oct. 1st. We're
all different, but I wouldn't think about going back to work full time for
at least 3 and better yet 4 weeks. If you could do like I did and slowly
work your way up it would be helpful.
— georgiacarol
January 1, 2002
We all recover at our own rate. Personally, I took off 7 weeks after open
RNY and I have a desk job. I could have probably gone back 1/2 days at 4
weeks and full days at 5 weeks if I had wanted to push it. However, I had
plenty of sick leave and a week of "use or lose" vacation time,
so I was in no huge hurry to get back to work. I was very tired the first
few weeks and needed lots of extra rest. Although my job is sedentary, it
is extremely mentally taxing and stressful and I was pretty emotionally
fragile in those first few weeks. In my case, it would have been
difficult, if not impossible, for me to go back to work at 2 weeks post
op, as I was still very weak and tired at that point. I am glad I took the
extra time and rested and allowed my body to heal. The time off also gave
me the opportunity to re-learn how to eat, so I had some idea of what would
work and what wouldn't when I went back to work. It also gave me time to
adjust to the lifestyle changes that are necessary after this surgery.
When I did go back, I was fully recovered and did just fine. Good luck
with your surgery!
— Lynn T.
January 1, 2002
Congrats on the upcoming surgery! I returned to work 13 days after
surgery. I'm 23, and have a desk job, and I was able to escape in the
afternoon for an hour nap for the first 3 days. While I was able to do it,
I do have to admit that another week off would have been nice! Good Luck!
— Chloe S.
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