I was off for 2 weeks, returned for a day and suffered serious cosequences and missed another week of work.

Think about it now, I would definitely suggest taking AT LEAST 4 weeks off. I, like you, have a very sedentary job (I sit in an office all day...or sit in a courtroom all day) and even about 1 month after surgery, I was SO TIRED and still had gas pains/piuch cramps, walked hunched over, got exhausted by mid-day.

You need to really take the time to focus on getting better - and not worry and stress about what OTHERS at your job may think.

This is a question you certainly want to review with your surgeon and I plan to at my first visit. However, I think the larger question I have is , Is your "management" really entitled to know what type of surgery you are having?...or do you just feel you should inform them? I know that where I live, our employer is not entitled to know that type of information. In fact, we have a thing called personal time off and it is just that..."personal". If you don't have enough vacation time do you have short term disability available? Just some options to think about.

I would agree that you should plan on taking a month off. You are better off planning what you can in advance as there is really no way to predict complications, how your body is going to react to the stress from the surgery and how quickly you will recover. I had RNY and was very glad that I had put in for a month of family leave of absence time since I tired so quickly once I got home from the hospital.

I had gastric bypass surgery on July 11 and went back to work 6 days after. Everyone's different and you will just have to see how you feel. I was really tired after work for the first month, but I survived and was glad I went back as quickly as I did.

I went back to work yesterday, which was 15 days post-surgery (RNY). I am really tired, and feel like I should just go home but I, too, have a sedentary desk job, and am trying to stick it out. I have a work trip out of state next week and I really want to go (it's like a mini-vacation, just with having to attend presentations and seminars), so I am trying to get used to the regular length days now before I fly out. Well, that and I could see management here frowning on not being back at the office prior to flying out for a week. I left 2 hours early yesterday, and may leave about an hour early today just to let myself acclimate a little better.

I did tell my co-workers, largely because 3 of them had already had the same procedure done, and I knew I would get great support. I also applied for FML to ensure that the time I need off does not affect my job adversely. Really the worst part about being back is smelling everyone's lunch!

If you have the option, I would suggest taking a sick day on the Friday prior to your vacation, and have surgery done that day. That way you get at least the 2 weekends in addition to your week. Good luck!

I went back to a conference after a week and a half. (Mostly sitting, some walking) Everyone is different. I would take at least two weeks off if I were you. Just in case!!!