17 replies to this topic

[Saint_Sammie]

I'm having my surgery on April 30th. I'm really worried about the 2 week liquid diet and going to back to work after surgery. I've been reading a lot that people are having a hard time with thier energy returning. Between lack of engery and limits on lifting I'm scared. I can really afford to take 2 weeks off of work.

I was wondering if anyone on the site has gone back to an active style job after surgery and what their experence was.

[jb2334]

I went back to work about 2 weeks after my surgery (RNY). To be honest, it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be, but I got through it. The biggest challenge I've had is keeping up with supplements and food while working. The following week (last week), I went back to my second job. That was even harder. I wish I could have taken a couple more weeks off work, and I probably could have, but after 2 weeks I was already tired of sitting around...

[BugdocMom]

Although I have heard of many people going back to work after such a short time, I could NOT have gone back to my relatively sedentary job after only 2 weeks. You may want to make a contingency plan just in case.

[Saint_Sammie]

Sadly for me there is no thing as a contingency plan. I'm lucky I'm getting the two weeks off as is. And plus if I don't work I don't get paid so I can afford to take much more time off. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. My boss is pretty understanding so she may let me get away with doing less of the cleaning and stuff. It's the only time I've going to be thankful for working in a bar that isn't all the busy.

[nsw]

I work at a busy hospital and going back in 61/2 weeks was rough for me. When I did go back i strained the muscles in my stomach by bending down to much.

[Saint_Sammie]

I really hope that this surgery doesn't leave me in the poor house and make me move back in with my mom.

[goingtobethinin2010]

Your surgeon will advise you not to lift anything more than 10 pounds for at least a month maybe longer so you will have to be careful you will still be healing on the inside for several months after surgrey. I went back to a sit down desk job after 2 weeks andit ws rough I was very tired and weak but I made it the whole week 40 hours but if it had been a stand up job or where I had to do much walking I could not have ever made it. I wish you luck but just be careful this is a major surgery and you want to be very careful to give yourself time to heal properly.

[Looking2Lose]

My job is sedentary as well and I am taking 4-6 weeks off or maybe longer, thankfully I can take FMLA ( although unpaid ) I have SDI ( state disability insurance ) and I will be taking Short Term Disability so I will still be making money. I do have to lift at my job thats why I am taking time off so that I can be healed ( although I know its not 100% healed ) or at least as healed as possible. Hopefully I won't be too weak still. I know with FMLA you're allowed 12 wks unpaid a year...might take all 3 months off cause I need a break from work anyways! LOL

[BugdocMom]

I know with FMLA you're allowed 12 wks unpaid a year...might take all 3 months off cause I need a break from work anyways! LOL

If you can afford to do it without any risk to your job and placing undue responsibility on your coworkers, do it! This is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life and a 3 month advantage could be invaluable for establishing good habits.

[BugdocMom]

I really hope that this surgery doesn't leave me in the poor house and make me move back in with my mom.

LOL, THAT is definitely incentive to get back to work! Haha. But, is there any way you can save/make money on the pre-op side to buy yourself another week? Sounds like your boss is supportive, so that should help. Just be sure to take it REALLY easy when you go back, take all the help you can get. Good luck to you!!

[CaydensMa]

Mine started out a different way. I had been unemployed for 2 years and got a call for employment the week after I got out of the hospital. The timing couldn't have been worse!!! I couldn't afford to pass up this job, but didn't feel I was in a place to accept it either. Needless to say, I started working about 3 to 3 1/2 weeks post op (I think it was closer to 3 1/2). I also had to have my gallbladder out and my intestines were twisted, so it turned out to be a little more than WLS. I was absolutely exhausted when I got home. I think it was more mental fatigue than anything. And even though I dislike this job, I show up every morning at 7:00 a..m. and play the same game week after week. I am in the process of looking for something else. I don't feel as tired as I had been, but I'm sure I'll have even more energy when I find a job I enjoy. Good luck to you. It sucks not being independently wealthy!!

[sarah11]

I went back to work after 2 weeks, no problem at all. I actually would've liked to go back after 1 because I felt completely normal and it was harder being at home without lifting my kids (i have twin 2 year olds). You have age on your side. If you can have a contigency plan in case of a complication that would be ideal. Just make sure you are NOT lifting!!!

[crazyoreilly]

I am starting a new job 3 week after surgery. I am a nurse in a hospital and hoping that the 3 weeks will be enough. I didn't plan on telling anyone at least right away. I begin my classroom type orientation at the begining of my 3rd week postop, then will start orientaion on the floor the next week(week 4 postop). Anyone have any thoughts on this?? Hoping that I don't have any complications, should this be enough time? My surgeon seemed to say that it would be fine. But I kind of forgot about the lifting part of it....I will be starting back on a medical surgical floor that will involve lifting. I am hoping that because I will be on orientation that I won't be doing as much. Thoughts anyone???

[cinwa]

I have a job that means being on my feet for pretty much 8 straight hours.

I had to have 8 weeks off because I had an umbilical hernia repair along with the RNY and my job has a 70lb lifting requirement too but I really struggled the first few days. I was totally exhausted.

[jb2334]

I went back at 2 and a half weeks...I really struggled the first 3 or 4 days, and the only thing I lift at my job is a pen...

[Saint_Sammie]

My energy levels have been pretty good since surgery, my fears about going back to work are becoming less and less. Which is a good thing cause I only have $70 to my name right now.

[flames428]

I am worried about the same thing. I had my procedure on the 23rd of May and returning to working on June 10th (in a different country). I work for a multinational PR agency, with regional demanding clients in 14 countries. I only told my immediate boss about the surgery, because she is also a good friend. I am worried about my energy levels as my mind needs to be quick and active throughout my 9-12 hour work day.

I wish there was some sort of guide that we could give our family members, friends, and bosses/colleagues to make them understand or even give them a glimpse of what we are going through and how they can support us. I view myself as a valuable member of the team, so I would expect that having such a guide would be in my boss' interest.

[cali-kimmie]

I am a photographer, so lots of heavy lifting and lots of sitting at the computer.. I work for myself, and took 4 weeks off.. Even then I was exhausted, had difficulties driving and sitting for any period of time... Good luck to all the new post ops, and take it as easy as you can!
Kimmie