How much time off work???

[bMEagain]

My surgery is scheduled on a Friday and I was thinking of only taking a couple of days off. My job is a desk job and non-physical so I'm hoping I will be ok, but then when I read about the gas and discomfort I'm wondering if I should take at least a week off. Thoughts??

[JazzyJude]

Hi and congrats on your decision to be banded. I, too, have a desk job. I had ny surgery on a Wed, and took advantage of the nights stay at the Lucerna and went back to work on Monday. If I hadn't stayed for the extra days as 'vacation', I would have gone back to work on Saturday. I didn't experience a lot of gas because I prepared myself ahead of time, like you are doing right now, and read a lot of suggestions as to what to do. So, I walked a LOT right after surgery (20 minutes from when I returned to my room) and walked throughout the evening and into the wee hours. I didn't want to chance any discomfort of gas bubbles issues and I didn't.

I continued to walk at home and then the rest followed very easily for me to continue with my regular routine.

Hope this helps you...Jazzy!!

[Red]

My surgery is scheduled on a Friday and I was thinking of only taking a couple of days off. My job is a desk job and non-physical so I'm hoping I will be ok, but then when I read about the gas and discomfort I'm wondering if I should take at least a week off. Thoughts??

Like Jude, I didn't experience a lot of gas pain and no shoulder pain. But I honestly can say I had/have a lot of abdomen pain. I am not working right now, but I honestly don't think I could have gone back to work within 3 days like lots of people do, even to a desk job. I think our experiences, in terms of pain levels, is so unique to each individual, that it is really hard to make a suggestion. I am a week out as of yesterday, and today is the first day that I feel like the pain in my abdomen is starting to lessen.

Red

[DixyChixy1966]

Hi and congrats on your decision to be banded. I, too, have a desk job. I had ny surgery on a Wed, and took advantage of the nights stay at the Lucerna and went back to work on Monday. If I hadn't stayed for the extra days as 'vacation', I would have gone back to work on Saturday. I didn't experience a lot of gas because I prepared myself ahead of time, like you are doing right now, and read a lot of suggestions as to what to do. So, I walked a LOT right after surgery (20 minutes from when I returned to my room) and walked throughout the evening and into the wee hours. I didn't want to chance any discomfort of gas bubbles issues and I didn't.

I continued to walk at home and then the rest followed very easily for me to continue with my regular routine.

Hope this helps you...Jazzy!!

Hi Jazzy, can you please tell me what you did to "prepare" ahead of time as I am going in on the 19th and am concerned about the gas pains.

Thanks!

Jen

[jhawkchick75]

I was supposed to have surgery on Friday but they got me in on Thursday. I was back at work on that next Wednesday and did OK, but I had a little more pain than most folks from what I can tell. I also have a desk job, but I stay incredibly busy and don't get up from my desk much unless going to meetings, so if I had the opportunity to get up and walk more at work it probably wouldn't have been so bad. But in my situation I could have used a couple more days. But mind you my first day back was a 16 hour day thanks to an all night meeting so I wish I could have eased into it. Maybe done a 1/2 day my first day back.

Everyone is different, but when you do go back make excuses to get up and take a lot of mini walks. Good luck!

[tootsie_lou]

Hey Bme!

My daughter (13 at the time) and I (much older than that--haha) were banded on a Thursday and were back to school and work the following Monday, no problems. I'm on my feet all day and was able to do pretty well. I had gas problems, my daughter didn't. We started walking at the same time, drank the same broth, Crystal light, etc., so it is hard to figure out where the gas comes from. Good luck to you! You are going to do great!!

[Red]

Like Jude, I didn't experience a lot of gas pain and no shoulder pain. But I honestly can say I had/have a lot of abdomen pain. I am not working right now, but I honestly don't think I could have gone back to work within 3 days like lots of people do, even to a desk job. I think our experiences, in terms of pain levels, is so unique to each individual, that it is really hard to make a suggestion. I am a week out as of yesterday, and today is the first day that I feel like the pain in my abdomen is starting to lessen.

Red

I wanted to add that I also, even 7 days later, I tire pretty quickly. So I will do an errand, like grocery shopping or laundry, but then I have to rest. It isn't a cake walk for everyone, I can attest!

Red

[CottonwoodAZ]

I Had mine on Thursday and back at work on Monday. I had alot of gas pain so there was some discomfort but it was do able. If you have a choice take more time but if not you will probably be ok. Like they said its so Individual (some people have no pain at all) I just did a breast lift and aug on Thursday and back to work on Monday and because it had no gas it was easier. Just take it easy. You know your body...

[JazzyJude]

Hi Jazzy, can you please tell me what you did to "prepare" ahead of time as I am going in on the 19th and am concerned about the gas pains.

Thanks!

Jen

HI Dixie...by "preparing", I mean as an overall for the band surgery, which means:

~ following the preop diet from Dr. Miranda

~ taking the benefiber

~ taking Metamucil and/or Fiber Choice for the hunger pangs

~ drink a min of 8 glasses of water, daily

~ I did some exercises to get my body going, per se, and did a lot of short, mini walks

~ planned weekly menus over the weekends

~ READ lots of posts/threads on this forum - wealth of info!

Good luck and congrats on your decision for a healthier you!

Jazzy!!

[DixyChixy1966]

Thanks Jazzy, I am right on track then! Since I booked my surgery the end of March I have lost over 40 pounds so I am off to a good start and feeling very motivated...although the closer it gets the more nervous I am getting (I've only had 1 previous surgery) but expect that is normal...can't wait to join you all on the other side!

Jen

HI Dixie...by "preparing", I mean as an overall for the band surgery, which means:

~ following the preop diet from Dr. Miranda

~ taking the benefiber

~ taking Metamucil and/or Fiber Choice for the hunger pangs

~ drink a min of 8 glasses of water, daily

~ I did some exercises to get my body going, per se, and did a lot of short, mini walks

~ planned weekly menus over the weekends

~ READ lots of posts/threads on this forum - wealth of info!

Good luck and congrats on your decision for a healthier you!

Jazzy!!

[ValleyGirl]

There's no way I would have been ready to go back to work within a few days, but that's just me. Outside of the physical discomfort, I was feeling very emotional about the whole ordeal (and the liquid diet) so I needed more time to get my head back in the right place before returning to a job where I have to be "on" all the time and nobody knew about my band. Plan to go back, but have a plan b just in case yoy don't feel ready.

Sabrina:)

[lunalady]

I had my surgery at 4:17 on a Thursday afternoon and went back to work Monday afternoon for about 3.5 hours. Wish I could've stayed home. They have no clue at work that I've had surgery, so I had to completely hide the exhaustion and the soreness (and the fact that I was all bloated and swollen!)from my co-workers.

I also discovered the day after I'd started back to work that the stitches had ripped out of one of my incisions, so that was difficult. It is *just now* healed enough to scab and Thursday will be my six-week anniversary.

Plus there's the fact that I'm almost 50 years old.

I'm sure that had I been a trifle younger and not had to deal with ripped out stitches, my recovery period would have been way shorter than it was. It took me a full two weeks before I could honestly say that I felt better.

[PAMMIE]

I had my surgery at 4:17 on a Thursday afternoon and went back to work Monday afternoon for about 3.5 hours. Wish I could've stayed home. They have no clue at work that I've had surgery, so I had to completely hide the exhaustion and the soreness (and the fact that I was all bloated and swollen!)from my co-workers.

I also discovered the day after I'd started back to work that the stitches had ripped out of one of my incisions, so that was difficult. It is *just now* healed enough to scab and Thursday will be my six-week anniversary.

Plus there's the fact that I'm almost 50 years old.

I'm sure that had I been a trifle younger and not had to deal with ripped out stitches, my recovery period would have been way shorter than it was. It took me a full two weeks before I could honestly say that I felt better.

HI SKYE,

WERE YOU BANDED AT THE OCC? I JUST HAD GLUE, NO STITCHES BUT THEN AGAIN IT'S BEEN 3 YEARS

[lunalady]

HI SKYE,

WERE YOU BANDED AT THE OCC? I JUST HAD GLUE, NO STITCHES BUT THEN AGAIN IT'S BEEN 3 YEARS

Hi, Pammie!

No, I was not banded at the OCC. I was banded in Tijuana, but not at the OCC. Different hospital, different Dr.

[AshleyMarie]

We all heal differently. I actually went home a few hours after surgery. I felt great actually. I did however start experiencing slight shoulder pains. Even 4 months later, they come on and go.