Back to work - How soon?

[EdieB]

Hi Folks

I'm scheduled to have surgery on a Thursday and have only scheduled 2 days off from my job - expecting to return to work the following Monday. Now after reading several posts, I'm worried that I haven't given myself enough time to recover.

My job is mostly sitting at a desk but it is in an open office without even partitions, so if gas is a problem :lb12: (sorry to be indelicate), this could be very embarrassing. Also is being pain free after a few days normal or not?. Finally, I take many supplements using capsules. Do you have any suggestions on how to handle this? Few of these are available as liquids?

My surgery is scheduled in a couple of weeks, so I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give me.

[Jnlebean]

For me I was pain free, I had my surgery on a Thursday and could have very easly gone back to work on the Monday, I booked two weeks off, I took advantage of my time off but I could have gone back. I did have gas pain, in and around the stomach not so much at the other end, haha. When I had the gas pain I would walk it out. I was an easy case so I would say you should be fine, but maybe let your boss know that you will come back and work half days for the first week or book more time off. The sitting part was not an issue for me.

I hope this helps, I hope more people post so you get a varity of answers,

Good luck and welcome to BANDLAND!!

Jenelle

[shrty835]

I had my surgery done on a tuesday, flew home thursday and was at work friday.

[nursemom]

I have a very active job and went back after a week. My Aunt has a job like yours and she said she could have gone back in a few days. Everyone is different and how everyone experiences discomfort/pain varies. I really thought of it more as discomfort than pain. In fact, being busy at work was good for me. It was distracting and gave me good purpose. As far as being pain free in a few days, again this varies from person to person. You'll do fine! Laproscopic proceedures are fairly simple and straight forward. I would suggest that you have your gas strips handy as well as some liquid tylenol/liquid motrin on hand (if you are able to take those) GOOD LUCK!!!

[Jnlebean]

I agree more of a discomfort than pain!

J

[EdieB]

Thanks for info. It sounds like I shouldn't have anything to worry about, but if there's anyone out there who has had a more difficult time, I'd really like to hear about this as well.

[bandmama]

I had my surgery on a March 12 (Thursday) and I went back to work on Monday. I also am at a desk most of the day. It does help getting up and walking around every hour. I didn't have much gas (farting) I just had shoulder pain from the C0 gas. I found that if I try to keep moving it was much better. I was tired but nothing that you can't handle. If I was to do it over again I would have taken a few extra days just to rest and relax to re-gain more energy but I didn't have any issues with going back to work so soon.

Good luck and I’m sure you will do fine. As long as you don't do anything to strenuous you'll be fine.

[MiaO]

I heve surgery on April 7th and I took two wks off and was a good idea . I fwlt fine the first couple of days but then I started to have pain at the port and also feeling weak. In these two wks I took time to get use to the liquid diet, recovering and also making some big adjustments at my pantry, Back again everybody is different but the gas pain and discomfort especially sleeping can be hard. Good luck!

[CottonwoodAZ]

I had my sugery on thursday and back on monday. I was bloated and had discomfort but It was do able! You will love the band!

[nothereanymore]

I had surgery on Friday and was back to work by Tuesday. I do have a desk job so it was pretty easy and I felt pretty darn good.

It’s the best! (You'll see that we all have different experiences - if you have had past surgeries look at your recovery to help you understand your unique needs).

With supplements, I did change to just a basic liquid multivitamin - Costco has a good one. You might try this and then gradually add back in your daily supplements once you're back on solids. Most of us can take capsules as long as they aren’t too big. (And I do chew some - yucki but doable)

Lisa

[JazzyJude]

I had my surgery on a Wednesday, enjoyed my stay at the hotel and relaxed until I went home on Saturday, and went back to work on Monday. I could have gone to work on Friday as I, too, have a desk job. I didn't have any 'pain', just some discomfort with the surgery gas and just walked and walked and less than a week, I was fine. I knew I needed to have good aftercare from surgery and I am glad I did it this way. The first week after surgery is important, as it's a good start in both healing and to get to know your band. Being prepared beforehand is the best suggestion I can give you and allow time for you to adjust to your new lifestyle change, which is WONDERFUL thus far for me!!

As long as you don't sit for long periods of time and keep moving (take lots of mini walks, stretching your arms up and down, etc) to get out the surgery gas bubbles you may still have in you, you will do fine. Everyone is different and react differently. I like what Lisa said regarding past surgeries if you had any. Good advice. The band surgery was the easiest for me, it's the aftercare you want to focus on.

As for vitamins and supplements, I continue with the chewable Centrium Multi-Vitamin and switch off with the Gummy Vites to prevent any jaw aches I've heard some had. I continued to take fish oil, Biotin for hair prevention, Vit E, dissolvable B12 tablets, Fiber Choice twice a day, Tums for extra calcium when I need it. I have 3 fills to date and so far I haven't a need for any liquid meds. The capsules do not dislodge me at all. A rule of thumb is to not have any pills or capsules any larger than the opening of a water bottle, as this is about the size of your opening, from your new pouch to your stomach.

Hope this helps...

[justloveyogurt]

Hi Folks

I'm scheduled to have surgery on a Thursday and have only scheduled 2 days off from my job - expecting to return to work the following Monday. Now after reading several posts, I'm worried that I haven't given myself enough time to recover.

My job is mostly sitting at a desk but it is in an open office without even partitions, so if gas is a problem :lb12: (sorry to be indelicate), this could be very embarrassing. Also is being pain free after a few days normal or not?. Finally, I take many supplements using capsules. Do you have any suggestions on how to handle this? Few of these are available as liquids?

My surgery is scheduled in a couple of weeks, so I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give me.

I returned to work two days post surgery for 5 hours of meetings(sitting) and a short class(walking and standing) I was quite uncomfortable. I returned full time 1 week post surgery 8-10 hours per day with a combination of sitting, walking and standing. Although I was exhausted by days end I had no trouble getting thru my days. If you can I would recommend you take at least a week away from work. You are recovering from surgery, taking in fewer calories, increasing your exercise and adjusting to all those changes in the privacy of your home is much easier than under the watchful eyes of your co-workers. I will be 2 weeks post surgery on Monday and I feel fantastic--can't wait to advance my diet--I'm craving poached salmon.

[jhawkchick75]

I was one of those people that didn't have as easy of a time after surgery. It wasn't horrible, but definitely not as easy as others had it. I had surgery on a Thursday and was back at work on Wednesday. Those first few days back to work were a little rough for me. I wish I would have taken the rest of that week off and come back on Monday. Also, not just the pain but since I was still on clear liquids then I just really wasn't 100 percent mentally. I was tired and my brain just wasn't working on all cylinders. Once I was on full liquids it got better but before that I was just lethargic and a space cadet. Seemed like everything I did took twice as long b/c the brain wasn't working.

Like they said, everyone is different but I wouldn't push it. Take your time and when you feel up to it head back. Maybe even consider doing half days those first couple days back. I wish I would have done that it would have helped.