I only had 5 days off. It sucked.

I took 2 weeks total but I could have used a few more days. I just felt really weak and tired the first fe days back at work. Luckily I have a desk job and I work in healthcare so my boss was understanding if I was foggy and off my game a few days. If I would've known, I would have taken 3 weeks.

I took two weeks off from work and then worked from home for a week. Luckily, I have the type of job that involves meetings that I was able to do via conference call. It was a good setup for me because I could be in a relaxed environment and was able to just take my pain medication (if needed) immediately at the end of my work day. I used that week to wean myself off the stronger meds like Lortab into Tylenol.

From what I understand, my surgeon now uses an almost pain-free technique he created nicknamed "catfish." Basically, they cut the removed stomach portion down into smaller pieces (like catfish filets) so that they come out of a smaller incision site and it causes a lot less trauma and pain. There's a guy in my support group who had the surgery a month after me with the new technique who said he barely used his pain pump at all and was back on his feet starting to get active in less than a week. So it really depends on who your surgeon is and what techniques they use as to how much recovery time you will likely need.

With my rny on 7-8, I feel like I could have made it to work yesterday 7-15, but I'm taking 1 more week off, to spend some time with my family

I would take at least a week. I'm a SAHM and postop went to my parent's house instead of going home to allow me to rest. I went home at the 1 week point, and was better but still glad to have my MIL stay with us for another week. If you can, take 2 weeks to have time to rest and heal- I was still needing naps most days during that second week postop.

I had RNY on a Monday 6-15-15 and went back to work the following Monday. No one at work even knows I've had surgery. I could have used a second week to rest but I made due. I have an office job with lots of flexibility. My long lunch time walks became long lunch time naps along the river trail. There are some really great flat rocks along the river that I would stop at and snooze in the sun for 20 minutes. Taking things at your own pace is key. You will have very low energy for a while. I'm a month out and still have some low energy days. Keeping up on the protein is a full time job. Best of luck to you. Lots of support here!

I took 4 weeks off and even after that it's been a struggle to get back. I work in a busy clinical setting where I am on my feet all day and in front of patients so u have to be on my game. The first week I had to get reacquainted with being at work while trying to get all of my protein and water in. I was so exhausted my first week that I didn't go to the gym once last week. The kcals I burn while walking are more than I can consume right now. Be patient w/ yourself and remember that you are amputating your stomach. Your body will need weeks to heal completely. And then there's the mental aspect.

ThinGwen wrote: »

Ok, so that was a failed try at quoting. Question remains / what do you mean, that it's 80% mental?

There is a HUGE habit/mental switch that has to happen with any of the WLS. You can no longer walk up to the sink, slam 8+oz of water 8x a day to get your water in, you have to sip constantly when you aren't eating, especially in the early weeks/months. Same with food, you're never going to get your protein in if you don't eat until noon and then try to down a cheeseburger and salad in a 10 minute span. It will not work, and you will likely throw up what you ate.

The foods that have been your friends can no longer be there for you. You're eating/sipping all day long, and in very small amounts. At first you move through the full liquid, then pureed foods, then soft foods, and then diet for life stages over several weeks. Foods that you used to be able to eat you may not tolerate anymore, and your portion sizes are itty bitty in comparison. It is a huge mental thing to come to terms with, even if you think you're prepared.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to have my VSG, and have no regrets about doing it. But there is far more to this surgery then just waiting for a few surgical sites to heal. That is part of it, but you will also need to climb the mental mountain of your new relationship with food and drinks for the rest of your life.

I took off 2 weeks after sleeve surgery. I have a desk job and felt fine going back after 2 weeks.

I had gastric bypass in March, and took 2 weeks off. I am so glad I did, too. I was able to focus on healing, getting in a routine, and resting. Not sure of the others, but I was pretty worn out for about 2 months.

I took the full six weeks that was approved by my short term disability insurance...I also had an umbilical hernia repair, hiatal hernia repair, and part of my esophagus removed at the time of my RNY.

I could have easily gone back to work in the office after a couple of weeks but I developed pancreatitis and pneumonia about 10 days after my surgery and spent nearly 5 days in the hospital. That recovery was much worse than the surgery!

I'm happy to have taken the time to recover. I've been able to establish a good selection of foods that I can eat and get a lot of exercise in.

I took two weeks off and returning to work put me back in my normal routine. I took my lunch and a back up lunch incase I had problems with my first choice. I also stocked my fridge at work with yogurt and protein drinks. If I couldn't eat my pureed lunch then I new I could eat the yogurt or drink the protein shake. I didn't have any problems and my energy seemed to return after the first week back. Sitting around all day zapped all my energy.

I took 4 weeks off, covered by generous short term disability coverage. While I was up and around after a couple of weeks, I still took a bunch of naps and was glad for the extra time to get lots of walking and other exercise in and get accustomed to the eating rhythm. When I went back, I was pretty much back to full energy. Another reason to expect a longer recovery is that if any complications happen, you won't be rushed back.

I has RNY on 6-15-15 and took 1 week off. I work in an office and didn't share with anyone that I was having surgery. They thought I was on vacation. No issues going back to work other than the fatigue. You'll have low energy for several weeks so just listen to your body. Good luck!