Recovery Period

[txsondra]

I am considering having this surgery done in the fall. Can anyone tell me what the recovery period is? I can get 9 days off including weekends. Would this be enough recovery time so that I could go back to work? This question/answer plays a big part in whether or not I can do this or not.

Thank you in advance.

Sondra

[Ms.Ln]

I think one needs to how physical your job is. If you are a firefighter than no. it would not be long enough. However a desk job, is another story.

[Kindle]

It's just too variable to really predict.....surgical technique, anesthetic and pain med protocols, complications and your individual pain tolerance. Have you had surgeries in the past? If so, how was your recovery? Personally, after my VSG I had no pain, no nausea, no complications and went back to a very active job 7 days postop. But the norm seems to be 2 weeks, with many people even taking 4-6 weeks. Unfortunately you won't know what your recovery time will be until it's actually happening.

[tina833]

My surgery was on a Thursday and I was back at work on the following Wednesday with no problem. The caveat is that I work from home so it was only a matter of going into my study and sitting at the computer for 8 hours. I did make sure I was off my pain meds by then which really was no problem. I do think I was blessed that my surgery went so well without any complications so as others already pointed out, it depends. I had talked with my boss prior to surgery and she understood that if I had problems, I might need to take off additional days (which I did not really have and would have to go in the hole for the future). I'm just glad I did not have to use them.

That was one of my biggest worries too that it turned out, was not a problem at all.

[ebbbdawsons]

I flew to Mexico on Tuesday and was back at work on Monday. I'm not saying it was the easiest, but it is definitely doable. I have friends that have had it in the US through their insurance and were in the hospital for several days. It wasn't a matter of pain that made going back to work hard, it was that I was still getting used to the diet and how eating and drinking made me feel. I am just over 4 months out and I can not tell you how happy I am with my decision and now it is the norm and I really haven't had any issues. I was back to the gym in 4 weeks (not recommended) but I started back slow and had no problems. Good luck on your journey if you decide to have it done.

[mrtumnus]

depends on what you do....I work online all day so I just took off the days to go to Mexico

[soledaddy-o]

Hi Sondra,
at 9 days there is no way I could have returned to work. Your body takes time to adjust to such a low caloric intake. I felt so exhausted. Brushing my hair left me limo and ready to go back to bed. I pushed through and walked every day despite this. Now at three weeks I feel my body is getting used to the low calories and I have more energy. However, out of the blue I have a lot of pain (i may have overdone it).
I don't want to discourage you but I do think you should see if can give yourself more time. It's best to rest when you need it and make sure your recovery goes smoothly.
Good luck,
Sole

[luckygirl]

Sondra,
I've thought of the same thing,someone I worked with said she was ready right away but I guess I won't know either.I work 12 hr night shifts and I've taken 13 days off with the w/ends. As soon as my vacation was approved I booked my surgery.I'm nine days out and getting a little stressed.However I'm as ready as I'll ever be...this is a birthday present to me. I've had procedures before and bounced back immediately. I'll just put it in Gods hands and follow the directions. Surgery date June 10th.

[Pam G]

I was sleeved this past Friday and could see going back to work in a couple of days.

I sit most of the day, though, and I think I would still be tired, but for me, it's doable if I had to.

[Shirl]

I echo folks here about variables of your own pain tolerance and outcomes, along with type of work.

Not telling my job of this procedure came back to bite me in the ass... The Monday after surgery I had an email that now school was over I needed to get to getting! I worked from home the first couple of days, then went out to the field last Friday. I was 10 days post op. And my patience was running quite short, I was also tired and couldn't stay present.

Do yourself a favor and ask for a month if that is doable for you. It will help you acclamate to your new physical and dietary needs, plus when you go back you'll be on regular foods. Just my thoughts!

Best wishes.

[Lanette]

if this helps you any, I am also just over 3 weeks out. I have been having horrible aches and such. After extensive research, both online and people that I know that have had it done, I have learned so much.
1. at 3 and 4 weeks out it is very normal to ache., what is happening is two fold. a. we feel so much better and might do too much. b. the internal stitches are dissolvable, and are starting to let loose of the muscles that they restitched. mine was horrible around the bottom of my rib cage. after I broke down and took a mild painkiller I was almost normal again.
2. my stomach was in horrible agony for half of the day. turns out that our stomachs are still stiff and swollen. Apparently this is the feeling of hunger that we will have until we get thru month two. I explained the feeling to my friend. she told me to eat a bite of something. almost immediately it was better.
I think we have been some of the lucky ones that never felt horrible. So now we ge4t our turn.
She says that once our stomachs regain some flexibility it will just be life again.

[Ann2]

It may be laparoscopic surgery.

But it's still very much major surgery.

[Munecagirl85]

Everyone is different. Sleeve isnt as painful as bypass. Ive had seversl surgeries and been put under quite a bit in my life so i know the routine well which helps if you havent. I was in zero pain even after waking up i wasnt ever convinced they even did my surgery untill i had food resistance when eating.


I took 3 weeks off in reality i could have went back the next day. I just wanted to take off and rest. My friend had hers and she was in a lot of pain i have no idea how or why ,but we all are different

[Pam G]

I was sleeved this past Friday and could see going back to work in a couple of days.

I sit most of the day, though, and I think I would still be tired, but for me, it's doable if I had to.

Update: I got sick a few days after my surgery and have barely been able to get out of bed in a week! Made one trip for IV hydration to the urgent care center 5 days postop.

[Alaska Girl B]

By day six I feel like I can go back to work on day 11, but I have a counter standing job and will not lift over 25pounds for 6 weeks, I will let you know how I do...