mar63
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by mar63 on Jan 22, 2015 9:49:19 GMT -5
How long does it take to recover from DS surgery? I’m asking because I need to know how much time I will need to take off from work. I was told by my DS surgeon that I was a good candidate for either the VSG or the DS. I would like to have the DS, but the time away from work is a big concern for me, especially sine I have less that a week of sick-time (PTO) accrued. I’m a software engineer, which means I sit at a desk all day. When I got my band 5 years ago, I was actually able to go to work for a few hours the following day, although I don’t think I was very productive I keep hearing that 3 weeks is the recovery period for the DS. Was anybody ever able to return to a desk job in less than 3 weeks? Thanks!
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Post by caprice on Jan 22, 2015 10:41:04 GMT -5
I flew to Mexico (from Ohio), had a virgin DS (so, no possible mucking about during the surgery because of previous scar tissue), flew back home 9 days after surgery, and returned to work the following Monday, so I missed 2 full weeks due to surgery.
Here's why I'm telling you this.....
I was an idiot for returning to work so soon and seriously screwed up my recovery from surgery because of it.
Okay, back to normal voice ---- You need more time than that. I needed more time than that. I was a sick, dragging, exhausted wreck, and got seriously malnourished at about 4 months out, and it took me the next 6 or seven months to get it turned around. During that time, I missed plenty of time from work and landed in the hospital once for dehydration, so, if you added up all the parts of days, I'm guessing that I used an additional 4 weeks, on balance. Although dehydrated, I was carrying around 40 pounds of water on my legs and belly due to protein deficiency edema. That was sure fun, too.
You need to give yourself time to heal. You need to give yourself time to adjust to your new body and the way it reacts to food. Please make it happen that you can take more time than that.
Something else you seriously need to consider -- what if there are complications? Will you be able to use more sick time, or will you lose your job? Complications are not common, but they do happen. What will you do if it does happen?
This is serious business, and you are already aware that any kind of revision adds another level of complexity.
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Post by jpcello on Jan 22, 2015 11:35:06 GMT -5
Are you having your surgery open or laproscopic? That will dictate how much recovery time you need. This is much more invasive surgery that lapband surgery. It is MAJOR surgery and you will not feel like going back to work the next day.
I took 4 weeks off work but probably could have gone back at 3 weeks. I also went back part time, which was very helpful. You don't realize how exhausting it is just getting ready for work, etc.
Do you have short term disability coverage at your job? This would qualify you, which would mean at least you'd get some pay beyond your short amount of sick time. Check with your HR department.
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PeteA
Full Member
Posts: 221
Surgery Date: 4/15/13
Surgeon: Dr. Phillip Schauer
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Post by PeteA on Jan 22, 2015 16:22:29 GMT -5
Now we are talking averages and best cases. Of course, if you have any post op issues all bets are off. I'm a programmer and I could have been back after 2 weeks from uneventful Laporoscopic surgery. I still found my energy levels crashing in the afternoon but nothing I couldn't push though when I needed to. I still hurt at that point but it was only an issue when sitting down or getting up - not a constant issue.
Pete
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Post by OnMyWay2Thin on Jan 22, 2015 17:04:45 GMT -5
Sorry to be the bearer of news you don't want to hear but I had lapband to DS on July 7 and didn't return to work until the last week in August. Mine was an open revision. I was off about 6 1/2 weeks and had no complications. I would not have wanted to go back any sooner. Lapband, I was also fine the next day, there's no comparison in my opinion.
Good luck, Kelly
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Mickens
New Member
Posts: 49
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: 02/03/14
Surgeon: Dr. Sayeed Ikramudden
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Post by Mickens on Jan 22, 2015 23:25:28 GMT -5
I work a very physical job ie...lots of standing,walking,heavy lifting and I work 13 hour shifts so I don't know how much this will help. My ds surgery kicked my ass. Maybe it was because it was the first major surgery I ever had idk, but I took 8 weeks off of work came back on light duty. It took about a full month back at work til I felt "normal" again. I'm glad I took the 8 weeks off there was no way I couldve gone back before that.
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Post by nursemelanie on Jan 23, 2015 0:30:53 GMT -5
A minimum of 4 wks. It's no joke.
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Post by goodkel on Jan 23, 2015 2:51:57 GMT -5
I wouldn't choose a surgery based on recovery time. Especially a surgery that has such a profound effect on your life.
Wait a little longer if you have to, tap into your savings, your 401k, get a loan to see you through. You can make it work.
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Post by Leonie on Jan 23, 2015 8:17:14 GMT -5
Hi, and welcome. I flew from South Africa to LA, so had a 27 hour journey home at 15 days after surgery (Doctor wanted me close by till then. I did the flight well, but was totally exhausted the next two weeks. Anesthesia leaves me in a fog for ages. I felt able to drive a bit after three weeks, but only able to do concentrating work after six weeks. But then, I am a wimp when it comes to surgery.
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razbry
Junior Member
Posts: 56
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: March 17, 2002
Surgeon: Dr. Douglas Hess (retired)
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Post by razbry on Jan 23, 2015 10:08:45 GMT -5
For me...a good three months until I felt "right" again.
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Post by Simba on Jan 23, 2015 10:50:18 GMT -5
How long does it take to recover from DS surgery? I’m asking because I need to know how much time I will need to take off from work. I was told by my DS surgeon that I was a good candidate for either the VSG or the DS. I would like to have the DS, but the time away from work is a big concern for me, especially sine I have less that a week of sick-time (PTO) accrued. I’m a software engineer, which means I sit at a desk all day. When I got my band 5 years ago, I was actually able to go to work for a few hours the following day, although I don’t think I was very productive I keep hearing that 3 weeks is the recovery period for the DS. Was anybody ever able to return to a desk job in less than 3 weeks? Thanks! This is highly individualized and many factors come into play. Age, gender, how far is the surgery-travel time, flight, how well you tolerate surgery, open vs lap, depending on lap band damage this will impact also are you close to surgeon or do you have to stay closeby-I will assume not since you want to go back to work early. Less than a week of PTO-well if you work for a 50 employee company, FMLA they have to give you time off for surgery, 12 weeks in a calendar year. While you may feel OK a couple weeks out, your GI system will be adjusting to it's new configuration, yes bathroom will take some time adjusting, and you are going to be dragging, will take you longer to recoer overall, would not suggest that. If I had a desk job I would not go back before a month (if I was feeling well) but not before.
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Post by caprice on Jan 23, 2015 11:04:44 GMT -5
I think that the FMLA thing doesn't apply if you've been with that employer for less than a year.
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jan 23, 2015 11:30:57 GMT -5
I think that the FMLA thing doesn't apply if you've been with that employer for less than a year. That's correct, and also FMLA is unpaid leave.
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Post by bboop on Jan 23, 2015 14:17:56 GMT -5
Listen to what everybody has said. The DS surgery is not a walk in the park. It is a complicated surgery and it will require some major adjustments afterwards.
First of all I had no complications...zip nada. So with that being said, I needed at least four to six weeks. Regardless of whether it's lap or open. I'm not kidding. The first thing you will have to deal with is your bowels. You will be running to the potty in the beginning. Now this will settle down after a while, so please understand that.
Second, just taking a dang shower will wear you out. I would shower and then have to sit or lie down. I was completely exhausted.
Thirdly, you want to be a successful DSer, right? Then give yourself the time you need to relearn everything you have ever been taught about diet, moderate exercise and so forth. You will have a completely new gut different form every body else. You need time to sort this out in your head and in reality. Remember what I said about the bowels.
Welcome to the forum. Come back and ask questions. Everybody has them in the beginning...and later as we progress through the eating; taking vitamins (that's crucial); exercising (if you choose to do so); activity levels in the beginning; there are so many things that will come up. How will you stay hydrated? Have you planned for that, cause if you don't you definitely will wind back up in the hospital, and you will if you don't drink enough fluids. Protein requirements - how are you going to do that? Are you familiar with the 30, 60 and 90 day requirement for protein? What kind of shake are you planning to drink? Will you be allergic to whey? Ok, then what? Egg protein shakes? See there's a lot to learn.
I've had this surgery for over six years and believe me, it has been a walk in the park for me compared to others on this forum...but that's just me. I'm one of the very lucky ones. Maybe you will be too...but you need to consider if there are complications after the surgery.
I don't mean to scare you...I just want you to know what you are in for. Read everything you can get your eyes on before the op - it will really help you as you recover and as time goes on.
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Post by cindy1976 on Jan 24, 2015 0:29:47 GMT -5
Like others have said I think it's individual. I had an uneventful laparoscopic lap band to DS revision and took two weeks off work. I'm four weeks post op today and feel fine. Two weeks was plenty for me but I have a very flexible desk job. One week would NOT have been enough for me at all. Also note though I'm under 40 years old, my BMI was just over 40 and I had no co-morbidities other than mild sleep apnea which seems to have resolved already. So, I was a relatively healthy obese gal going in to surgery which I believe has impacted my recovery. I've also been fortunate that my bathroom trips so far have been early morning, evening, and late night - not during work hours, and gas hasn't been a big problem YET (afraid I'm jinxing myself here!). So while things so far have gone smooth and easy for me it looks like I'm the exception. Best of luck!
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Post by goodkel on Jan 24, 2015 5:40:59 GMT -5
The VSG alone is a major surgery, too. You would be having most of your stomach removed.
One week might not be enough recovery time for the VSG, either.
Just saying...
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Post by historytracker on Jan 24, 2015 9:07:13 GMT -5
Everyone may have a different experience with this. Everyone has different motivations, just know that you need to give yourself time to heal.
In my situation I was revisional with RNY to DS. This was not my first rodeo. My surgery was open and I went home with a drain and feeding tube. I was 5 days in the hospital and discharged on Friday. I had plans to work the summer. I teach high school and I have a class C bus license so in summer I drive usually special ed students to summer school either in a small bus or minivan. I told the bus company I was having surgery and asked if I could please have a minivan with a aid who could lift the kids. I was on no pain medication. I started the following Monday after surgery and I drove about 6 hours a day and came home and SLEPT FOR 4 HOURS. I was exhausted. But I felt wonderful. All I had to do was drive and drink my protein shakes. Nothing strenuous and I was not in any pain. I just hated the abdominal binder, drain and feeding tube.
About a month after surgery I did a 12 mile paddle down the Delaware River. Life was beautiful. The only thing I would change would be to hire someone to clean your house because it was a good month before I could bend down to clean the tub.
Everyone's experience can be different. Listen to what your body needs and get plenty of rest. Good luck in your surgery and recovery.
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Post by sherbearmama on Feb 22, 2015 16:55:27 GMT -5
It took me approximately 2-3 weeks to feel well enough to function normally. I know, that sounds really short. But the first week or so was hard. Then the next week was a little better. Third week I started thinking, "Wow, I'm actually feeling pretty good." By the third week I really wanted to start eating. I had my surgery on December 5--about 3 weeks (and about 25 pounds later) it was Chanukah and I remember going to a party and feeling pretty damn normal. I think this all depends on a few factors as mentioned above. If you have a lap surgery, recovery can be faster--though not always. If you have a revision, I've been told it can take longer to recover. If you have open surgery, it's a well known fact that it can take longer. I had a normal lap surgery--no revisions, not organs removed (gallbladder), and I have a fairly good track record recovering from injuries and illnesses. I was about 36 when I had my surgery (almost 37). I was a good 100 or so pounds overweight--had lost about 30 prior to surgery to make recovery easier. This brings me to another factor--I would imagine that if you have more weight to lose--the heavier you are, the more difficult the recovery, but I'm just speculating. A friend of mine told me that it felt like a bus ran over her and it took 5-6 weeks for recovery. She and the same surgeon and was of similar weight--also had it done lap. But she had more scar tissue that the surgeon had to deal with so the surgery probably took longer and there were more complications. Everyone is so different it's just not fair for anyone to give you an estimate. You'll find many people here who will send you messages of doom and gloom--that the recover is god-awful and you're in for a long ride. Then there are people like me--I'd say I had it pretty good. It helped that I had a husband and in-laws and a father who helped with my kids and helped get me back to "normal".
So, it'll be what it'll be. There is just no telling. My advice (for whatever it's worth) is to take as much time off as you're allowed. If you feel better sooner, then go back to work. I found that moving around made me feel better. At a week out my dad had me doing laps around the house and backyard (the sunny California weather helped out quite a bit). Movement, for me, seemed to really lift my spirits and aid in my healing. But I will say this...the first week was pretty hard. I had a lot of pain in the stomach area--internally. And I was hungry but couldn't eat. And I always woke up with an urgency to have a bowel movement--thought it was solid--it was unsettling. By the end of week two, I was well on my way to feeling great. And all of the pain was well worth it. I'm more than 3 years out, having no problem maintaining a good weight, and feeling better and younger than ever.
Best of luck to you!
~Sheri
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Post by Melinda on Feb 23, 2015 15:37:28 GMT -5
I was able to work a desk job after 3 weeks. I had little to no pain by 3 weeks out, but my surgery was a virgin DS, done lap. I did have prior abdominal surgeries, though, several. Relatively speaking, I was used to that type of pain and thought the DS pain wasn't as bad as say, a C section. HOWEVER what I wasn't prepared for was the fatigue! The desk job work I could do because it wasn't physically demanding. Mentally? Exhaustion hits mid-afternoon. I was very fortunate that I was able to work 1/2 days or shortened days for a couple more weeks until I felt like my old self. Is that a possibility? Also, bear in mind, this is obviously if there are NO complications.
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michaelp
Junior Member
Posts: 65
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: June 30, 2014
Surgeon: Dr Greenbaum
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Post by michaelp on Feb 24, 2015 8:59:23 GMT -5
I had open surgery and was back seeing clients (outside sales) in 2 weeks though I would crash everyday and need a good 2 hour nap. There are different insurances out there that will pay you while you miss work if money is the issue. The big issue is pre-existing conditions but that definition varies between companies and policies. You need a good agent. Even without disability insurance I got paid about $5k for my surgery. If it's time, don't be penny wise and dollar foolish. Beyond gas issues my life is completely normal after 8 months out (and was after 3 months out - no restrictions from food to working out). Good luck!
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Post by Joanne on Feb 24, 2015 10:49:26 GMT -5
My suregon made a joke to me, but it really had some truth to it. He said the length of time people need is in proportion to how good their disability insurance is. I was on fully paid leave, so I took 8 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks I went back to work and was STILL more tired than usual. However, if I really found it necessary I probably could have managed to work a desk job at 3 weeks. It wouldn't have been easy. It's all a tradeoff.
The difficulty returning to work isn't really pain for most people. It's fatigue, and learning how to manage fluids and protein. Even drinking is a full time job. It depends on what kind of work you do, and how much you are willing to put yourself through to work.
And of course, that is assuming there aren't any complications. Some people end up with emergency second surgeries, leaks, infections - you have to be prepared that some of that could happen, and that could greatly impact your ability to return to work.
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niknak
New Member
Posts: 10
Surgery Type: Revision
Surgery Date: October 6, 2014
Surgeon: Dr. Matthew J Martin
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Post by niknak on Mar 3, 2015 16:51:26 GMT -5
I work from home primarily and still needed a full 6-8 weeks of complete recovery before I started to feel better again and was able to do the 'normal' things around the house I used to do. All I wanted to do was sleep and hated that my alarm kept going off to drink an oz of water at a time, but that was all I could do so it was a full time job just making sure I didn't get dehydrated. I was tired all the time. I had to sleep upright on a sofa versus the bed during that period of time, which was totally was no fun. I also have 2 adopted babies who are under the age of 2 and I couldn't lift or properly care for them for at least 8-10 weeks post surgery so my husband took leave and we had inlaws and relatives come help when he needed breaks, etc. The DS was just so much different than my initial sleeve recovery and recovery was nothing like the previous.
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