Time Off Work

[purpleprincess29]

My boss has asked if I know yet how much time I'm likely to need off work for my gastric bypass.

I work in an office so not a physical job and I know everyone is different but just an idea would be good if someone could advise?

Cheers, Mel

 

[shelbell]

i see you're at Walsall, are you having open surgery?

 

[StephieAck]

I work as a lunchtime supervisor in a school and it isnt mad strenuous and it is only for an hour and a half a day but I had a month off post-op. When I went back I felt as though I could have done with a little more time off but as it turned out it was the perfect time, it helped me to feel more 'normal' and once I was back there I started to perk up and I have kind of gone from strength to strength. Dont get me wrong, I am KNACKERED but the surgeon said that I would feel pretty horrendous for two or three months post-op and I dont feel THAT bad, so knackered is perfectly normal.
Just follow how your body is feeling when the time comes and if it feels better to get two weeks at a time then do that, dont rush yourself but also remember that sometimes, getting back to normal is what you need. You'll know when the time comes.
Take care
Steph xx

 

[phatmomma]

PP, i like you work in an office and am hoping to have a gastric bypass at Walsall Manor which will be 'open' surgery. Mr Hartland said i'd need 4 weeks but i think if you don't feel ready for it, for whatever reason, then maybe your gp will sign you off for an extra week or so? I know people tend to think us office folk don't do much strenuous work but i personally climb three flights of stairs to my office and then am up and down the ward and all over the hospital at times, then there is the bending in stretching getting files down etc.... I'd say 4 weeks and see how you go to be honest! Hope this helps xx

 

[teapot1966]

My boss has asked if I know yet how much time I'm likely to need off work for my gastric bypass.

I work in an office so not a physical job and I know everyone is different but just an idea would be good if someone could advise?

Cheers, Mel

Hi there,
Not sure if this is going to help at all. I had my surgery 3 weeks ago (tomorrow - 27th November) I also work in an office (at a special needs school) I have unfortunately developed a slight infection on my scar (I was open bypass too with gallbladder removal) at 3 weeks I still feel tired. I went to visit everyone at school today and 'take' christmas lunch with the children (!) and share their last day at school. After 5 hours I'd had enough to be honest. Around my scar ached and I just wanted to get home.

I suppose what I'm saying is, go with the flow and see how you are. I am signed off until 12th Jan (so it'll be just over 6 weeks for me) but I know that if I don't feel 100% I'll take more time off (I'm sure that won't be the case though).

Thankfully I am very fortunate to have a very very sympathetic and supporting employer who knows exactly which operation I have had and is 100% behind me in this.

Wishing you every success with your journey and take each day as it comes.

Jules x

 

[Sambucca]

I also work in an office, and had exactly 1 month off (4 1/2 weeks). I am a Walsall Manor patient as well, but I had keyhole surgery.

I was lucky though as I do flexi-time, so was able to do slightly shorter days for the first week or so which helped and I was ready for a nap when I got home from work each day at the start.

 

[tazwoz]

Hi,

I have a physical job with required moving and handling of patients, I was advised I would need 4-6 weeks for recover from the baratric specialist nurse whether key hole or open as it is major surgery, my GP advised 6 weeks due to the nature of the job I do.

Hope that helps x

 

[phatmomma]

And of course you need to take into account the fact that will you be driving four weeks post op? After an open bypass you may not be.... You don't realise how much you pull on your abdomen until you think about it.

I have to fetch/take home my stepdaughter 37 miles (each way) every weekend and have told my OH he may well be doing the journey on bus n train for a month or so as i won't be driving him anywhere. Well maybe up the wall but that's it.........

 

[purpleprincess29]

Thanks

Hi everyone,:48:

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll work on four weeks minimum then seeing how it goes, at least it gives me an idea.

I'm having open gastric bypass at Walsall Manor, keyhole costs too much apparently.

My boss actually had the cheek to say that HR might question paying me while I'm off sick due to the nature of the operation! I went ape :flamingmad:, saying that my operation is not cosmetic surgery (which is what they don't pay time off for and what he was implying this gastric bypass is), it's surgery which my doctor has referred me to due to health conditions. I have a hereditary muscle wasting disease and the extra weight I carry is accelerating my condition, by shifting some of the weight while I'm still only mildly affected will delay this disease and improve my mobility for years to come.

It really annoys me when people think you're having the operation out of vanity and eating too many pies, treating the operation as a luxury.

Some people seem to think this is the easy option but it's not, for most of us it's the one last chance at claiming life back.

Thanks folks