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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