Question:
Barring any complications, how long before I can go back to work after a Lap RNY?
I am a nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit and spend my 12 hour shift mostly on my feet. — shelbabyrn (posted on January 6, 2004)
January 5, 2004
I went back to work half days after 2 weeks then full time after 3 weeks.
However, I have a desk job. Another friend of mine who is also an RN told
me she took a full 12 weeks off because of the 12 hour shifts, and she has
to pull on heavy patients. You may want to give yourself 4 weeks just to
get your energy levels back... you may feel pretty good after a week, but
your energy will take a while to return... just my experience.
— Happy I.
January 5, 2004
Everyone is different on this. I went back after 4-1/2 weeks. My doctor
was willing to give me up to 6 weeks off work. My surgery was 9/11/03, and
I originally planned to return to work on 10/1, but didn't go back until
10/13. I just didn't feel ready - I was dealing with a little bit of
depression, and felt very tired a lot of the time. I was still sleeping
10-12 hours a day about a week or so before I returned to work. So I asked
my doctor for a little more time. I'm glad now that I did - if you can
take the time you will most likely benefit from it. When I did return to
work, I felt pretty much back to normal, except for being a little more
tired than usual. Good luck on your surgery. Lap RNY, 9/11/03,
254/198/???
— Carlita
January 5, 2004
I went back to work two weeks after my lap RNY. I have a desk job, though,
and I could sit whenever I needed to. I was tired, but I was also sick of
staying at home.
— raye
January 5, 2004
I was back to work after 7 days. My job is up and down, sit, walk, sit,
walk. I know someone who worked for the Post Office who was back to work in
3 days with no complications. My mom and sister are nurses and I know it is
a busy environment, I suggest waiting at least a minimum of 2 weeks.
— M B.
January 5, 2004
I was ready to go back to my desk job 10 calendar days after surgery. I
had already been working form home (phone and e-mail work) for a week
before that. I am 44 years old. Lap RNY 4/1/03, 290/187/168.
— Vespa R.
January 6, 2004
I am 2 years out and a RN. I was back to work on a busy med/surg floor 2
weeks after surgery. If you have the time, take it. I was very tired at
the end of my first week back. I think that 3 weeks would have been good.
Best of luck to you!
— anyce
January 6, 2004
I was back at work 9 days after surgery (have a desk job), but would have
much rather been on my feet (as sitting upright hurt me), though you may
feel tired. Even though I didn't have much activity, by the end of the day
I was wiped out.
— Amy E.
January 6, 2004
The Wellness Institute (at Northwestern Memorial Hospital)initially
suggested I take 5-6 weeks off. I went back to work after 1-1/2 weeks off,
when I found out I didn't have to use vacation time, rather Short Term
Disability (which allows me up to 90 days). Although I probably could have
handled the work (physically ... but boy was I wiped out!), one of the
reasons the doctor suggests taking so much time (if you can) is to adjust
to the new behaviors (eating frequently and slowly, etc.). SO ... I talked
with HR, and went on STD for 5 weeks and got all my vacation time back! In
my opinion ... take whatever time you can ... well worth it for me! LAP
RNY 06/18/03 -88
— Karyn B
January 6, 2004
I teach and went back after 3 weeks. I got rides to work the first 4 days.
I was beat when I got home that week but was fine after that. Good luck!
— Fixnmyself
January 7, 2004
My two daughters and I had proximal lap RNY surgeries. One daughter is a
NICU RN and was back to work, 12 hour shifts, in 10 days. The other
daughter teaches a classroom of 4 year olds and was back to work full-time
in 14 days. I am a nursing administrator and was back to a full-time
office position in 8 days. None of us had any problems other than a
slightly higher level of fatigue for the first couple of weeks that we were
back to work. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
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