Returning to Work

greekdiva118 · 05-22-2008, 09:16 PM

Hey there,

I am new here to the boards. I just got banded on the 15th. I have not been keeping up with my liquid intake and i am very nausea and gasey.

I was wondering how long people were out of work?

My doctor told me two weeks, I thought that was too long, but now I m thinking I should wait another week. I am always tired, still uncomfortable sitting up and in a pain still.

How long is the average to be out of work?

Rugrat682 · 05-22-2008, 09:34 PM

I planned on two weeks but ended up taking one extra day. I also fell asleep at work my first day back which was Tuesday. If you can take the time take it. If not, I have been back for 3 days now and am feeling much better. Just taking it easy when I get home.

Still feeling gassy but it gets better each day. The sitting thing has gotten much better too. Good Luck with everything.

mstrina27 · 05-22-2008, 09:38 PM

Hey there and congrats on being banded... I was banded on the same day and I actually went back to work on Monday. I beleive I could have taken off a week but considering other things I need to save my vacation time.... But I was actually dehydrated when i went to work on monday & tuesday. My eyes were sunken in which made me realize it.. no one else did... I also had noticed that I had not drank any water either... I had went pratically 4-days without water and or food... WOW.. because of all of the nausea and discomfort... However once i stopped taking the pain meds prescribed by the dr and forced myself to drink 60-80 oz of water/crystal lite a day i started to feel better... and i was able to eat soup and drink my protien drinks as well... but u shouldnt be in that much pain as of now.. just a lot of sore ness i should say because it feels like i have been punched in the stomach or have done a lot of crunches so i guess that is the healing part of it.... how much liquid are u drinking?

FeliciaLevy75 · 05-22-2008, 10:03 PM

I was also banded May 15. I took off until Wednesday (doing a few hours from home Sunday and Tuesday).

I worked a half-day Wednesday and took a break before spending 4 hours in class (and giving a presentation!) that night. I worked a full day today. Aside from my port site, I have no pain or discomfort. Liquids have been great and I followed the advice of my doc and moved, moved, moved, starting on Day 1... no gas issues!

Getting up and down a lot is what makes the port site sore, as does a lot of driving, but normal stuff is good. I am not running marathons, I am not doing a lot of bending and stretching, but I am generally back at normal daily activities in only a week.

Had my follow-up yesterday and the doc said that I was doing fine and that as long as I was comfortable, they had no recommendations for time off.

OpenHrtOpenMind · 05-22-2008, 10:38 PM

Hi & welcome!! I was banded on 5/7 & took a full 2 weeks off. Today was my first day back & I am wiped out. I really had considered taking a bit more time but only had to work today & then again not until Sunday, then off Monday, so I hope the few staggered days off between will help. I guess in retrospect after the day, I really should have pushed for more time as my Dr. was more than willing & my time off is covered under our Short Term Disability. I guess my advise/opinion is listen to yourself & your body & by all means if you can take the time take it ~ whether it be just a few days or a few weeks.

linksmom · 05-22-2008, 11:21 PM

I have a very laborous job. Lots of bending, walking and lifting. I've got about 170 hours of sick time saved up and I'm going to try and push for a month. Also the last thing I want to do is go back to work and be too weak. I would like to get a chance at some solids before I tax my body. Wouldn't want to pass out.

fleminld · 05-22-2008, 11:35 PM

I haven't had my surgery yet, but my doctor's office recommended at least 4 weeks off work. Told me i needed it for recovery, getting on a eating schedule, and giving your body time to adjust to smaller amount of food.

Sarah8714 · 05-23-2008, 06:05 AM

I was banded on the 15th and went back to work on Tuesday. Wished that I would have taken more days off but tonight has not been as bad other than I am having trouble with the 15lb weight lift restriction.