Question:
Is the recovery time quicker on the lap surgery.

I am having surgery on 7/22/02 (YEAH!!!) and I am trying to prepare for when I come home from the hospital. I will be having the lap procedure and I was wondering if the recovery time is much quicker than the open. I had a lap tubaligation done last Sept and was out shopping the next day. Needless to say I had plenty of perkicet (SP) pain meds. But I felt great. I am just trying to determine how long I should be out of work seeing that I work from home alot anyway. Thanks!    — Sherrie H. (posted on June 17, 2002)

June 17, 2002
I had my LAP RNY on 4/24/02. I had surgery again on 4/25/02 because they thought I had a leak (I didn't, thank God!). I have a desk job and I was back to work in 2 weeks. I was also able to telcommute so I worked from home a few days a week as well....I still do. I found that it took approx 4 weeks for me to start feeling really well and probably 5 weeks for my energy to come back. I will be 7 weeks this Wed and I feel like a million bucks. I am also down 44 pounds so far. I had an appointment with my surgeon today and he is very pleased with my progress so far. Its a slow process, but well worth it! Good luck!
   — pam29922

June 17, 2002
Four of us in my family have had lap RNY surgery and each of us had completely problem-free surgeries and post-op courses. We were home two days post-op, off all pain medications and driving by the fourth day, and back to work 8-14 days later. We were instructed to observe some lifting restrictions (no more than 15 pounds for the first 3 weeks), but otherwise to resume all activities "as tolerated". We had the greatest experience, and wish you the same!
   — Diana T.

June 17, 2002
LAP is GREAT. 2 days in hospital, out shopping and such by day 4. Walked 1.3 miles on day 7. Started working part time on day 9 or 10. Did tsake at easy for about a month.
   — bob-haller

June 18, 2002
Looks like I am in the norm here. 2 days in the hospital. Telecommuting at 1 week. Back to work the next week. I hope you are as lucky. Also, I was off of pain meds 2 days after coming home. I am 4 weeks out on Wednesday and I am starting to get my energy back and I walk the treadmill nearly everyday from the day I came home from the hospital.
   — Beffy W.

June 18, 2002
I had lap RNY on May 9th. I was shopping six days later and back to work 14 days later. Don't compare it to tubal ligation. I had that done as well. You are going to be much more sore than you were for that.
   — Linda A.

June 18, 2002
I had surgery, lap, onr january 24, 01. I was out of the hospital the next day and back to work a week later. I have felt great ever since and have had no complications.
   — Heidi B.

June 18, 2002
I had open-RNY and my answers are about the same as the other posters. In the hospital less thans two days, back to work within 2 weeks, no problems at all. It just is such an individual thing! Best Wishes!
   — Molly S.

June 18, 2002
I had open RNY last Wednesday (almost a week ago) and I have already been shopping, to get my hair done and to a softball game. I'm pretty quick in recovering and had no complications though. I don't feel like I am anywhere near ready to get back into the work yet.
   — emilyfink