Question:
How long before and after surgery did you take time off of work?
I was wondering how long I need to take off from work before the surgery and then afterward? I am having my Surgery on Wednesday May 22, and need to know if I should take off starting on Monday May 20 - and returing to work on Thursday June 6. Anyone think this is too much time? Too little time? Or just enough time? Lemme know! Thanks! — Heather H. (posted on April 10, 2002)
April 9, 2002
I took no time off before and six weeks after. ---Good Luck
— Robert L.
April 9, 2002
Depends on what kind of surgery your having, lap or open. I had the Lap
RNY and went back to work after 1 week. My surgeon couldn't believe it. I
wanted to go back full time after 1 week but he made me do half days for
two weeks. I'm 5 weeks post-op and don't even feel like I had surgery
except for when I eat. If you have a sedentary job you will be able to go
back much sooner. I can honestly say after 1 week I felt completely back
to normal. When you go in for surgery walk and do the breathing spirometer
thingy as much as possible, it will definitely help. Good Luck!
— Angie B.
April 9, 2002
I had a open RNY 7 weeks ago. My doctor wanted me off 6 weeks and we
compromised at 5 weeks (I do have 2 toddlers so I think he wanted to give
me a little extra recovery time) Anyway, I have a desk job and felt ready
to go back at 4 weeks but used the last week for me to get into a routine
with exercise that would work for me once back to work. I prolonged it one
more week of "me time" by working 1/2 days and doing my exercise
in the afternoon that first week back. This worked great for me, the kids
stayed in daycare full time even though I could have kept them. I feel
that very important part of my recovery is the exercise and taking care of
myself so this helped me to get off to a good start. I also spent the time
going thru my closets and getting my next size of clothes out of moth balls
:-) If you have the sick leave I would use as much as you can so you can
get off to a great new you.
— Brenda F.
April 9, 2002
I had open RNY 1/17/02, I took no time off before (as a matter of fact left
from work after doing a graveyard shift, and headed straight to the
hospital) and I took about 3 weeks afterwards. It all depends on the type
of work that you do, and how you are feeling.
— LaVonda H.
April 9, 2002
I took 6 weeks off after. I had heard that it is hard to get all the food
and drinks in for the first month and that it is soooo important to do so.
I wanted to make sure that I could take my time eating and drinking without
the distractions of work.
— Kim M.
April 10, 2002
My surgery was on a Tuesday and I spent Monday morning with my family and
then traveled the 3 hours to the hospital. Afterwards, I took 7 weeks off.
Don't go back to work too soon. Take the time allotted.
— dolphins94
April 10, 2002
I worked the day before my open RNY and only took 13 work days off after
surgery. I do have desk job so I didn't have to do lots of lifting or
excessive amounts of walking. Good luck!
— Frances B.
April 10, 2002
I took off the afternoon before the surgery to make the trip to Los Angeles
from Twentynine Palms. We stayed at a hotel the night before the surgery.
I had the surgery laparoscopically on March 29, 2002. I left the hospital
on April 1st and went back to work on April 8th, right after I got rid of
the drain. I have a desk job also but I have been walking everyday since
surgery. Felling a lot better since all that gas dissapated!
— Michelle C.
April 10, 2002
I took off the day before surgery to travel 6 hours to the hospital.
Surgery was October 4, 2001, went home October 7, 2001 and returned to work
on October 28, 2001. No heavy lifing until November 16, 2001. I had Open
RNY.
— yodie123
April 11, 2002
I took off the day before my surgery to travel the three hours to the
hospital and to have pre-oop testing done. I stayed with a friend in that
town until I was 2 weeks post-op (had my staples removed 12 days post and
was released to go back to work then but didn't have a way back home til
the weekend). I returned to work full time 17 days post-op and haven't had
any problems. The only restriction was no lifting anything heavier than 4
pounds.
— Patty_Butler
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