Question:
Why do people take off 3-4 weeks before returning to work?
I've read about people taking 3-4 weeks off after surgery before they return to work. Sure, I can understand those who work in construction or other physically-intense activities; they certainly shouldn't be doing extrenous work after a major surgery. But what about people who work in an office and sit in front of computers 8 hours a day? Why can't they return to work after 1-2 weeks? Is it the pain after surgery? The inability to drive? The weakness and fatigue from the operation? Please shed some light so I can better understand the need to take time off. Thank you for your help! — vitoria (posted on July 1, 2004)
July 1, 2004
Your profile has nothing on it so I don't know if you're having open or lap
or even what kind of WLS, but if surgery is done open, as it was in my
case, it requires at least 4 - 6 weeks of recuperation. It is major surgery
cut through the abdominal wall from stem to stern. The first two weeks is
spent recovering from the pain. The next 2 - 4 weeks is spent regaining
one's strength and stamina. I remember in my case, I had to take daily 2 -
3 hour naps. When I was awake, I had no energy other than to take care of
basic life-sustaining activities such as showering, dressing, making small
meals, sitting on the couch, taking very short walks (half a block &
back), and trying to drink enough water to keep from becoming dehydrated.
That was all I could do and I remember needing every minute of every day
off I had time off, and I was thankful I had it.
— artistmama
July 1, 2004
My surgery was done lap, but I had the same issues as the other poster.
Pain for a few weeks and extreme fatigue for the first 6 weeks. I have an
office job but it required me to do quite a bit of last minute travel and
carry around my computer, case and about 40lbs of files routinely. I opted
to take 4 weeks off and 2 weeks of restricted duty rather than deal with
any one-off requests to travel and lift heavy bags during the time that I
was recouping. Also, I commute for 1 hour each way to work and at 4 weeks
I was still on pain killers and not driving long stretches. I was unable
to eat/drink without throwing up for the first 6-12 weeks so I am glad that
I spent a large chunk of that time at home. It differs for everyone
though. I know of others who returned to work after a couple of weeks.
— cfpowers
July 1, 2004
Everyone's situation is different. I have a fairly stressful job in a
hospital and I do alot of running around. I ended up going back to work in
3 1/2 wks. I felt good, not much fatigue, but then I got Shingles. I
don't know if going back to work so soon attributed to my getting it, but
the doctor said, b/c my immune system was so low, that it was like giving
the Shingles the go-ahead. The time frame for returning to work is set for
YOUR safety. Even when you think you may be ready, don't be so sure.
Doctor's MOSTLY :) know best !! Open RYN 10/6/03-313 before-170 now..still
losing!
— Donna F.
July 1, 2004
I took about 4 1/2 weeks off when I had a LAP RNY. I probably could have
returned in a little over 2 weeks, but I had nausea problems and honestly
wanted to be able to eat lunch at work or with someone before I returned.
I also had lots of fatigue. Luckily I have a job I can easily do thatin,
so it wasn't an issue. In my 3rd week after surgery, I had 3-4 really hard
days of nausea that took a few days to get under control due to nasal drip
interfering with my digestion. I don't regret one bit staying out that
long. It also allowed me to establish a routine for myself to get all my
exercise, protein, water and vitamins into a structure that would work for
me.
— Cathy S.
July 1, 2004
Victoria,
I had open & went back to work in 2 weeks. It of course depends on the
person - but it helped me to get right back into my routine so I didn't
have time to think about any pain.
— Marcia N.
July 1, 2004
I had LAP RNY, I worked in a bank at the time. Most of my day was spent
sitting, but I also did have to get up and down a lot for one thing or
another. I took 4 weeks off. I could have used one more week. I was in a
little bit of pain, but mostly I was very tired. And also it gave me an
opportunity to work out an eating schedule I could live with. Every person
has a different tolerance level for pain, and fatigue. We each need to do
what is right for us. :-)
— KellyJeanB
July 1, 2004
Recovery time depends on the person and the surgery. I had lap RNY, and
was back to my desk job in a little under two weeks. However, I was very
tired that first week. I would think if you had any complications,
generally aren't a fast healer, had an open procedure, or do any amount of
activity, that more time might be needed.
— Vespa R.
July 1, 2004
LAP checking in:) I went back to work part time in just over a week mostly
out of boredom. I work in unairconditioned buildings and july was tough
unable to get in enough liquids. But in general. NO DRIVING till your
completely off pain meds, and some folks minds are muddled from anthestia,
while others feel horrible, or get depressed missing their buddy food.
Immediately after surgery you dont want to sit for long hours at say a
desk, to minimize the bloodclot risk its best to be moving around. The best
bet is to arrange a month off with the understanding you might return
sooner if you up to it. On this everyone is different. Do follow your
doctors orders!
— bob-haller
July 1, 2004
I was 420 lbs. and had open and went back to my cushy desk job in 10 days.
I was tired the first week, but I think if I hadn't forced myself back at
that time I maybe would have taken longer to get my strength and stamina
back. I was 30 years old and had always been a quick healer and all of
co-morb's were very recent developments, so my body was in 'relativly' good
shape...these are all things to consider.
— Danielle M.
July 1, 2004
I had a LAP RNY 17 months ago. I went back to work, teaching, at just
under 3 weeks. I was driven there for the first week. I was really tired
by the end of the day. All the things you mentioned were issues for me. I
am just about 47, so age might factor into the answer, but everyone is
different. I couldn't get out of my bed without pulling up on my night
table drawer for 2 1/2 weeks. If I truly had to, I guess I could have
limped back into work at 2 weeks out.
— Fixnmyself
July 1, 2004
I have been out 5 weeks since my surgery. However It is due to my job. I am
a phlebotomist and deal in patient care. This includes lifting and moving
patients and sometimes holding down a child. The hardest thing for me is
bending over and in my job I am bending over all day. So I have chosen to
take care of me first so I can then take care of others.
tammy palmer
— footprints.2.tammy
July 1, 2004
I was 445 lbs at time of surgery. I went to Mexico to have open surgery
and was flying and trucking through airports at 5 days post and back to
work at 10 days post. I had no problems with either. Keep in mind my
incision was 12 inches long also! I think it mostly depends on your pain
tolerance. I am no baby and pain isn't a big deal for me. Good luck!
— SMG I.
July 1, 2004
Because you feel like CRAP!!! I had my WLS and I was a lightweight with NO
co-morbidites. When I woke up from surgery I felt like a truck had run me
down and then backed up over me!! I was in the most severe pain I had ever
felt (I have a HIGH pain threshold). When I finally got out of the
hospital, I could only walk a little bit. Then the nausea kicked in
because I wasn't hungry and didn't eat. I went back to work at 5 weeks and
REALLY should have taken off about 2 more. This is NOT an easy surgery, no
matter how you have it done. They are re-wiring your whole insides. I
know there are some supermen/superwomen who are up going to the mall on day
3 post-op but I can tell you, I certainly wasn't one of them!! I would
have thought with my background I would have had a MUCH easier recovery
then someone who was much heavier then me, but that didn't happen.
— Patty H.
July 1, 2004
I am almost six weeks post op from lap RNY. I was released to go back to
work by both my surgeon and my PCP but since I work in a factory I had to
see the company doctor for approval before I am allowed to go back. I have
one lap port that is still oozing somewhat and I am allergic to adhesive.
So the company doctor asked how I was going to keep this from getting dirt
in it and getting infected. I told her I was hoping she would give me a
suggestion. So she refused to let me go back to work and told me to go see
my surgeon's office and see what they want me to do about it. So I have an
appointment with them on Tuesday and must get a new release form before
seeing the company doctor again. So it looks like I will be off work yet
another week. But everyone heals differently and people's jobs are not all
the same so there are a variety of factors involved.
— Donna F.
July 1, 2004
I encourage everyone to keep a positive attitude. Pre op I decided no
matter what I would smile, look at the good, and thank god if I survived.
Jen my wife was on medical disabilty because of her weight. Not only
couldnt she work, she couldnt even play goofy golf... I was afraid if she
saw me have a bad time she wouldnt have WLS herself and die. Honestly Jen
was NOT looking forward to surgery. So I tried to smile thru everything,
heck I celebrated just waking up in recovery. so sure I was going to die...
I pushed myself so much. I suspect my positive attitude helped my recovery.
I went shopping bank just a couple days after getting home. walked 1.3
miles one week to the day after surgery. maybe I was just lucky. maybe it
was my attitude? who knows but it cant hurt to stay positive. BTW my long
winded profile is very complete on my day to day post op activities, I did
this to help others, since I wondered so just how wessed up I would be
after surgery.
— bob-haller
July 1, 2004
My current job duties require me to basically sit for 12hours a day.
Sometimes I have to crawl under desk to repair equipment. I'm currently 5
weeks post-op. The first week of this time, I spent in the hospital. Had
surgery on May 24th and released home on May 30th. After having an OPEN
procedure, the surgeons generally don't want you driving for a few weeks
and especially taking any pain meds. Which I'm still having to do at night
just to sleep all night. Each person is different and has a differnt
recovery time due to various medical conditions, age, sex, weight &
size along with past surgical history & complications. Another thing,
you have to think about the medications that you were on while in the
hospital, blood thinners to help limit the risk of blood clots while lying
in bed. If you become injured before your blood cloting levels come back
up, there would be a potential for you to bleed to death. Trust me when I
say its no fun having complications along with trying to heal. I've ended
up having 3 different infections since surgery.
During your recovery time, you are trying to rebuild your mobility from
being weak & fatigues, learn how to eat all over again, some foods you
try could double you over in pain to where you need to lay down for a
little bit.
Again each person is different. I thought I could go back within 3 weeks..
There was no way.
— smoore_911
July 1, 2004
I went back to work after 6 weeks. I had Lap RNY, no complications, no
comorbids, I sit in front of a computer 8 hours per day, but I was very
tired for those first 6 weeks. I wasn't able to sleep well at night due
since I just couldn't get into a comfortable postion. Also, I had the time
to take off and so I put my health and recovery first. I'm also not ashamed
to admit that I'm a wimp when it comes to pain.
— Yolanda J.
July 1, 2004
Thank you all for taking the time and responding to my question!!
— vitoria
July 1, 2004
I had OPEN 15 months ago - I just sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a
day, don't do anything physically stressfull at all, and I was back to work
in a little over 3 weeks. I really should have taken another week off,
though - I was so uncomfortable and weak and fatigued that I had to leave 3
out of 5 days early. I was just so bored at home that I pushed it. My
surgeon didn't even release me to drive until I was 2 weeks out, and I
didn't sleep in a bed until probably 5-6 weeks out. Just things to
consider when looking at time off. I have a very high pain threshold and
didn't think the pain was overwhelming in the hospital, but the whole
recovery process in general was awful. I didn't feel good about my
decision to have the surgery until I was about 6 months out. Good luck!
— vittycat
July 1, 2004
I had a open rny 12/23/02 I went back to work in 2 weeks just to get my
mind off myself and it helped clear my brain and adjust.
— debmi
July 2, 2004
I had LAP-RNY 15 mos ago. I went back after 7 days (including a Sat/Sun).
Someone else in the same practice went back after 3 days. It depends on
your tolerance to pain, when your jp tube is removed (if you have one),
what type of surgery and your starting size.
— M B.
July 2, 2004
Oh boy, I am the "statistic" in the group. Lap converted to
open, severe comps. Still off work 9 months, 2 days and counting. May
never be able to go back. Totally unexpected as I was a lightweight bmi
42.6, 45 years old, no pulmonary or respiratory comps, no previous ab
surgery. What a surprise to me.
Jackie O.
— Jackie O.
July 2, 2004
I had open RNY on April 12, 2004 and I was in the hospital for 5 days. I
went back to work in 3 1/2 weeks due to I was so bored at home, it does
take some time to get use to getting up and the eating and drinking part
but as for pain my pain was gone in about 4 days. I got to were I was
comfrontable sleeping. You do go through alot of mind games with the whole
eating and drinking thing though. My advice to anyone having surgery is to
walk as much as possible because it helps with the healing process.
— Sherry S.
July 2, 2004
For me, it was the fatigue, which, with the RNY, isn't only a function of
the surgery, it's the fact you aren't eating hardly a thing for the first
few weeks (that's a double-dose of fatigue). I've had both easier, and
harder, surgeries than my RNY, so personally, I've found I can't safely
generalize as to how long it'll take me to recover from surgery generally.
The fact that I can be propped back up at my computer after surgery doesn't
mean I'm gonna be able to be all that productive yet, and I don't like
showing up to work when I'm not really able to produce what I'm s'posed to
be producing.
— Suzy C.
July 2, 2004
I tool 6 weeks. Could have gone back in 3, but wanted to heal, rest, get
my food down pat and start my exercise routine, THEN fit work into all of
that. It worked. It's worth the time. If you have it, use it. You're
worth it.
Diane N
Open RNY 01/21/02
— DianeN
July 2, 2004
Everyone heals differently. It also depends what type of surgery you have.
My surgeon recommended I take 6weeks off, and I did. I kept myself very
busy, with my two kids, husband and a dog. I actually had a busy calendar.
The most important thing to do after your surgery is to move around. Many
doctors will recommend walking a mile a day; we are at high risk for blood
clots, so movement, movement and more movement. My job involves long hours
of being glued to a chair in front of a computer. Movement would not have
happened as much as it did by not being at work. I also took that time to
get used to my new lifestyle. I was able to do more research on foods,
exercise, and the reactions of my body. Yes, I was fatigued & weak,
nauseated, even more reason not to be at work. I did not want to go back to
work a couple of weeks out, and then have to take another leave because
something went wrong.
— CAYA M.
July 3, 2004
I tried going back to work at 6wks, but working in the medical field trying
to take care of others when I could'nt take care of myself still, nope,
worked one day and stayed home another 3wks. Mine was for the pain with
walking and bending. Even when I had my TT I was off longer than they said.
Good luck!
— Sandy M.
July 3, 2004
Lap RNY No complications. Desk job, mostly computer work. Went back to
work after three weeks. If I would have gone back to work before the three
weeks, my coworkers would have found me under my desk sleep taking a nap.
:-)
— [Deactivated Member]
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