[shasha]

I was wandering how long are you out of work? I have decided not
to tell anyone about my surgery. I have my husband, aunt (who also
had the WLS) and a close friend. Unfortunately too many people do
not understand unless they've been here. Anyway, my job is a sit at
your desk all day job, how much time do you think I will miss?

[MsVickie]

Go with what your surgeon tells you. Also if you dont want the people at work to know this..... You can let the human resorce person know you dont want it told and they cant tell it. So I have seen 2 weeks up to 4 or 6. I like the atleast 4 week thing myself but I allowed my self to tell my job 6-8 weeks just in case of a complication which I did have. So think about this and ask the question. Talk to human resorces whom will be the ones having to find somone to cover you while your out.

[Perfesser]

Your mileage may vary! There was one lady here who was back at school and work three days post-op! That's just a wee bit extreme, though. I was out two weeks during our semester break and then did half-days for another two. I'm a professor, so it's definitely not a desk job!! It was tiring, but not painful or life-threatening.

If you don't want to tell folks all the gory details but you are asked where you were, you can always say that you had abdominal surgery and you'd rather not go into the details. In their minds, abdominal surgery = cancer or something similar . They'll respect that. If you never lie about it, you don't have to worry about keeping your stories straight, but you are under no obligation to tell the whole truth, either!!

I didn't tell anyone but my wife about the surgery, probably for about the same reasons as you. After I hit goal, I was open about it and would bend anyone's ear who would fake interest!! Fifteen months later, when my wife had her RNY, she told the world all about it through the entire process, pre- and post-op. I'd already cleared the path for her, so if anyone tried to tell her horror stories, she'd just point at me and say "that has not been our experience."

Good luck as you prepare!

CT

[decker1976]

No one but my husband knows about my WLS. When people comment on my weight loss I simply say I decided I need a lifestyle change by eating healthier and getting regular exercise. All true. I work with kids. My job is not a desk job (I spend approx. 7-10% of my week at a desk but there are many days when the only time I sit down is driving between schools.) I was ten days from date of surgery to first day back to work. The first few weeks I was tired at the end of the day but a short nap took care of that. Didn't have any pain or discomfort.

[ratterrier1]

I have a desk job (but am up and about quite a bit). I was out of work for 4 weeks but wish I had taken the whole 6 that I was allowed or gone back for 1/2 days the last two weeks.
Everyone at my work knew about the surgery and were (and still are) very supportave of me. I'm very lucky to work with these people!

[redhead]

I had my surgery and started a new job 12 days post op. It is a desk job. I didn't tell anyone at work, but soon found out that several had lap band and they are a great support for me. Your surgeon will guide you. I had a UTI (urinary tract infection) which made me tired, but other than that I was fine. Good luck!

[judijo]

I personally know people in desk jobs that were back to work in 2 weeks. I work on my feet, so I took a full 6 weeks off.

I told anyone who would stand still long enough to hear it about my surgery. I did not want close friends and co workers to think I had cancer.

Your mileage may vary.

[Catherine77]

I work a desk job too and want to take 2 weeks off and then part time for the 3rd week. I don't want to use all my time at the beginning if I do not have to... My clinic makes me go to a trainer ( he is actually at the clinic) and he said that the goal after the 6 months is to be in good enough condition that I can be back at work after 2 weeks.

[GoingDown48]

I had my surgery on 4/11/11....already down a size in clothing! I am returning to work on Tuesday of this week, so I had two weeks off following surgery. I am a teacher and do stand most of my day-but I can sit if I choose, so that is my plan as I recover. Things have gone good so far and hopefully will continue...listen to your body as we are all different...plus if you do a manual labor job you will probably need more time off...good luck!

[KatV]

I was out 6 weeks, not because of pain, because of weakness and tiredness. I told everyone and had wonderful support from everybody. A few were scared for me, but as soon as they saw me afterwards, they calmed down. I had told everyone that I had been thinking about and researching the surgery for about 5 years (truth), so they were so supportive knowing this wasn't a rash decision on my part. It was a well thought out, life saving procedure. Good luck in whatever you decide is right for you.