Returning to work??? - Page 3 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

mistymee · 11-06-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerseygrl684

The issue i think we have is that you are speaking in absolutes. Unless I see an MD after your name, and even then... I don't think you should be telling people absolutes considering you don't know if your actions have actually done any damage yet. I sure hope not.

I assume that was not directed to me, but to PhatLady? lol Since we appear to be on the same side of the discussion, anyway

jerseygrl684 · 11-06-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymee

I assume that was not directed to me, but to PhatLady? lol Since we appear to be on the same side of the discussion, anyway

yeah sorry that was directed at phatlady.

Phatlady · 11-06-2009, 08:39 AM

I am out kids, not worth bitching back and forth here for me, my energy is better spent saying and doing positive things, not arguing with you about this endlessly.
I shared MY experience and hopefully someone out there will relate to MY experience and find that the surgery was but a blip on the screen for them as it was for me and thanks for your kind concern but I am healing great and as far as the surgical aspect I am fine. I am just trying to feel my way around my pouch with food, as everyone does.

jerseygrl684 · 11-06-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatlady

I am out kids, not worth bitching back and forth here for me, my energy is better spent saying and doing positive things, not arguing with you about this endlessly.
I shared MY experience and hopefully someone out there will relate to MY experience and find that the surgery was but a blip on the screen for them as it was for me and thanks for your kind concern but I am healing great and as far as the surgical aspect I am fine. I am just trying to feel my way around my pouch with food, as everyone does.

Ok this is coming from people who have experienced this surgery. Chill out, you can't speak in absolutes on here. You have NO idea when/if something will happen that is beyond your control. Take it from the girl who never thought she would be the one with post-op complications at random about 18 months out.

But, if you want to take your ball and leave. Go right ahead, I just think telling people DEFINATELY going back to work 1 wk out is not the norm and not what most do. Sorry. I'm not going to retract that.

mistymee · 11-06-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatlady

I am out kids, not worth bitching back and forth here for me, my energy is better spent saying and doing positive things, not arguing with you about this endlessly.
I shared MY experience and hopefully someone out there will relate to MY experience and find that the surgery was but a blip on the screen for them as it was for me and thanks for your kind concern but I am healing great and as far as the surgical aspect I am fine. I am just trying to feel my way around my pouch with food, as everyone does.

And I'm glad you're feeling so well. I would hope that everyone would feel great so soon post op.

It'd be good though to remember that not everyone does and speaking in absolutes is bound to get a discussion going. No matter what the topic.

Beth in Texas · 11-06-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerlily1977

I am wondering how long everyone took off of work?

Were you tired after starting back?

Was it hard to follow post op diet instructions at your place of employment?

I work in the medical field in an out patient clinic. I have only requested 7 days off.

DO you think I am crazy and need more time or should I be ok. Surgery scheduled for 10NOV09..SO EXCITED

I am on my feet most of the day, no heavy lifting, or bending nothing like that just long hard days on my feet.

Any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks to all

Hi there! I can't speak for anyone but my own recent experience.

I had surgery 10/27, and felt confident that I could go back to work a week later no problem.

I was wrong.

I felt pretty good Tuesday Morning as I drove to the office physically. In fact, the only pain I had was from my GB portion of my surgery which was complicated because of how damaged it was.

I learned that it isn't always the physical stuff that needs to heal; it's the physiological stuff that has to be ready. I was catching up on the events that transpired with the team I'm managing only to find that they took a few steps back instead of forward for a project deadline we had to meet for the 6th--so my project went from green to red.

So as I prepared to do battle and get stuff back on track, teammates showed up to my team room. I went from Valkyrie to wimp in 5 seconds flat. They said "hello" and I got teary. I shrugged and couldn't explain it...but sure enough, someone passed by my room and asked if I was aware of the fires that needed to be fixed...and it happened again! For no reason whatsoever, there went the waterworks.

My meds keep me from getting emotional, damn it! That's where I learned that I wasn't ready. I decided to head home for this week and work from there...so I could target the accountable ones and be my corporate self again without looking at people in order to get back on track. It's been so much better that way--and took me way back to the birth of my daughter via c-section and those tears afterward with people...forgot it could be a side effect.

Very long story short: everyone is different. Surgeries are different. Go with what you know and adapt as necessary.

What Kelly said is a credo worth mentioning, "Expect the worst and hope for the best!"

kimeegee · 11-06-2009, 05:12 PM

I had my surgery at about 5:00pm 10/29. I planned on working the morning of 10/29, then taking Friday off, we had Monday off, and I would return to work on Tuesday. Only miss 1 1/2 days of work. Perfect.
Well there was no way I could work Thursday morning and I absolutely would not have survived any day this week at work. The pain of the surgery was much greater than I expected, but definitely bearable by now and I am not on any pain meds at this point. The shock for me was the exhaustion and emotional weirdness. I talk to my office manager and start to cry. I don't know why, but I definitely have to work Monday

Laureate · 11-06-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatlady

Okay, excuse me, she can definitely return to work IF she has a good surgical outcome, which I stated already, BUT it depends upon the doctor's advice and how she feels. Also stated.
IS that more clear?
It is not to set her up for failure, ABSOLUTELY to the contrary, I stated it to set her up for a possible positive outcome.
As for mucking and lifting, Kelly, I said that is what I NORMALLY do in a given day. I did not say I did that week two, I stated I walked and fed my horses.
My instructions as are everyone's is not to lift more than 15 pounds the first TWO weeks. This is so you do not open incisions or pop staples under strain.
Rule of thumb is red in the face is too much strain but I think by then you have gone too far. You need to baby yourself until you heal and try not to lift anything much heavier than a glass of milk or a spoon!
I did not lift anything heavy at all-including my 16 pound cat until week three and I feel terrific now and I know my body, so I am careful not to do anything stressful.
My Doctor did give me permission to play tennis this week, but I have chosen not to as I play at a high B, low A level and that involves a lot of running and twisting and I know I am not ready for at least another week.
I plan to hit some balls with someone on Monday or Tuesday to see how I feel before committing to a competitive game.
And mucking is all hard, heavy physical labor so that I will not do for another week or two. I will listen to my body as with everything, even if my doctor tells me yes, I am responsible for advocating for me.

My surgeon just told me to not lift more than 30 pounds at a time until six weeks out from surgery, and he encouraged me to walk my strong, fair-sized dogs (even though I explained that they pull hard on their leashes) as long as far as we could comfortably go.

I don't know if he would allow that for everyone. I clearly am a strong person under my fat, probably a lot like you, Phatlady.

They also encourage people to walk in the nearby Smokey Mountains as soon as they get out, listening to their bodies and fitness levels.

I know now that I could have easily returned to my job in a week, but it sure was nice to have this week of autumn glory off.