The best thing about weight loss surgery is that you can lose a lot of weight and get your life back. However it’s hard to decide how to go about returning to work or school. After all, you’ll be living in a new body and there are some changes you’ll need to make. Here are some for tips on what steps to take when returning to work after weight loss surgery.
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Returning To Work After Surgery
Weight loss surgery affects many aspects of your life. While this is a wonderful thing to do for your health, it does come with some downtime for recovery. If you are wondering how long before you can go back to work after weight loss surgery, here is some important information to help you be prepared.
How quickly can I return to work after weight loss surgery?
After most weight loss surgery, most people need about a week or two before they can return to work. It is important that you prepare for taking time off to recover from surgery. Be sure to talk with your employer to schedule about 2 weeks off.
Even after you are scheduled to return to work, you are not going to have the energy you are used to, so for some people, even after returning to work, they will need to start with half days or every other day, while they finish recovering.
While you may be able to return to work about 2 weeks after surgery, recovering from major surgery, like gastric bypass, can actually take up to 2 months to completely feel like yourself. It is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations. Pushing yourself too fast and hard after surgery can cause you to take a longer time to recover.
What helps you heal faster after gastric bypass surgery?
Since most gastric bypass surgery is laparoscopic, you will have less of an incision than many other types of abdominal surgery. This helps with the recovery time. You will spend about 3 days in the hospital and hopefully be back to yourself in 3 to 5 weeks. There are ways to help heal faster after gastric bypass surgery. Protein will help give your body the fuel it needs so that it can heal.
While you want to get moving around as soon as you are cleared, it is important to not overdo it. Follow the doctor’s instructions. Also, it is important that you are getting enough to eat and to drink. Follow the eating plan that your doctor has set out for you by eating small frequent meals.
Is it normal to sleep a lot after surgery?
You might notice that after surgery you are more tired than you expected. This is normal. There are several reasons that you are sleeping more than normal.
- Sleep Deficit: You might have been nervous before surgery and it might have caused you get less sleep than normal.
- Medication: The medications that you are given before and after surgery can make you more tired. Whether it is from the anesthesia or the pain medications, all of these can make you feel more tired.
- Depression: Some people will suffer from depression after surgery. Even when it is a surgery that is in hopes of giving them a healthier life.
- Fasting and loss of electrolytes and minerals: Before surgery, patients need to fast in order to make the surgery safe. While replenishing your body, it can take time to regain your strength.
What do you need to know about returning to work after weight loss surgery?
Before you return to work after weight loss surgery, you need to be sure that your doctor says it is okay.
You will also need to know if they have any restrictions. For example, some jobs require physical activity and this might not be something that your doctor wants you doing just yet. It might even be a few months before the doctor allows you to go back to work and engage in active job duties.
It is also important to know what type of work you will be doing. If your job requires a lot of standing or walking, again, this might not be something that your doctor wants you doing just yet. Some jobs require bending or heavy lifting and these are no-nos for people who have had abdominal surgery.
Stress can cause you to strain and this is something that you don’t want to do right now, as your body is trying to recover from major surgery. You will also need to make sure that you dress appropriately for work, as it might be a little restrictive until all the swelling goes down.
What if you need to return to work after weight loss surgery?
It is important to remember that you need to take it easy. You should not push yourself too hard or do too much too soon. If you overdo things, then this can slow down your recovery time.
So what can you do if you have to return to work after weight loss surgery?
Many employers will allow for an adjustment period for you to get back to work. This might be a couple of weeks or even a month, depending on your employer and the type of job that you do.
If this is not an option and you need to return as soon as possible, then this is when it might be time for you to consider other options such as taking disability leave if you qualify or maybe even short-term disability.
Your doctor might also be able to help with suggestions as to what you can do at work to take it easy and not strain yourself too much, such as working from a sitting position instead of on your feet all day long.
Exercise after weight loss surgery
Consider a part-time schedule at the start. Working part-time will allow you to ease back into work instead of jumping in with both feet.
Take your time getting dressed and ready for the day. You may find that you need to dress yourself even if it is just putting on an undershirt or blouse. This allows you some freedom but also let’s you do things slowly without too
No matter how long or short your adjustment period is, it does not hurt to get yourself ready. Most employers will allow you time to do this, even if it means taking a day off just before going back to work.
If a good friend or family member can help out with the kids or chores around the house for a few days, then use this time to get things in order and start recovering.
Should you take time off work or go back in sooner than expected
The main thing that you need to do is talk to your doctor and get their opinion. They will be able to help you figure out if going back early would actually benefit your recovery or if it would just prolong your healing time.
Most people take between two and three weeks off from work after bariatric surgery, but in some cases, people return in a week.
Taking Things slow after revisional weight loss surgery
Take it slow and easy, especially in the beginning. As with anything else in life, you need to stick to your post-op diet plan and have patience when it comes to the recovery process.
Some patients can work from home as early as 1 week after surgery. It is best to ask your surgeon how soon you should go back to work. The reality is that Patients can lose a lot of energy after weight loss surgery and they need to be able to easily digest foods for 1-2 weeks.
As you will be on a pureed food diet, staying home may be the best way to focus on the eating plan during this early stage following bariatric surgery.
Tips and tricks for returning to work after weight loss surgery
Whether going back to work early or taking your time, be sure to keep the following tips in mind. These tips will help you know how to return to work after weight loss surgery.
- Take it easy. Do not try to do too much too fast. This will only make you feel terrible and make your recovery take longer.
- If working from home or commuting is an option, this can be a great way to ease back into daily life after weight loss surgery.
- Remember that everyone heals differently so just because someone else is returning.
How should you get back into work after losing a lot of weight?
Take your time. Get the okay from your doctor to return back to work. If you are unsure, speak with them about it.
Do what you feel comfortable doing while getting adjusted to your new life.
If you are returning back to work, work on changing your mindset. You will have higher self-esteem and confidence that you otherwise would not have had if you never went through the surgery process. This is a great benefit, even though it may take some time for this to happen.
How to go back to work when you have had weight loss surgery
You know what is best for your work and family arrangements, so just be honest with your doctor about this. They will help to guide you on the right path to take after weight loss surgery.
Do not worry too much if you are ready or not as everyone heals differently. Just focus on taking it easy until you feel better so that you are ready for the next stage of your life.
When it comes to returning back to work after weight loss surgery, always take things slow and re-evaluate how you feel at different times . Doing this will help you figure out if going back is the right thing or not.
About Angela Milnes
Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and adults. Angela has also taught cooking classes and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Instant Pot Table. Follow her on Pinterest!
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