Gastric Bypass

[Islay]

I have had my consultations and booked my surgery, will be undergoing the knife at the beginning of Feb.

Any professionals out there have experience of this surgery and could tell me in there experience what the healing time is?

I have been told anything from 2-3 weeks and I can expect to be back at work - but looking on social media some people mentioned that they were off sick for 6 weeks! Seems an awful long time.

[anneasquith]

Is this the surgery you are " going private " for ?

[Cloverjo]

Any surgery can knock the stuffing out of you for a considerable time.
Sorry, I'm not a professional, but I'm just going by what some of my family have gone through. 6 weeks, possibly more, sounds about right. I don't know what a gastric bypass entails, though.

[Sqad]

\\\\Any professionals out there have experience of this surgery and could tell me in there experience what the healing time is? \\\

Do you mean any surgeons who have had the operation, in which case ignore my post.

Yes 4-6 weeks is a reasonable time before resuming work....that is for Bypass.

[Islay]

Yes annea, only in hospital for 2 nights, then staying in Manchester for a further 4 days before coming home.

Sqad - I meant those that had knowledge not the op themselves - so thank you, your response makes sense.

My work are expecting me back after 2 weeks as my manager has done some research and states that it is the recommended healing time!!

My concern is that they will be messing with my insides and I will be pulled about quite a bit so may need to be off longer than 2 weeks!

[woofgang]

Islay, have you got an occupational health department? if so speak to them. Wherever you are going for your op should also have detailed info, either in printed form or online and you should show this to your boss.

[ummmm]

I was advised to have 'at least' two weeks off after having a camera through the belly so I'd say you'd need longer.

Well done though xx

[Islay]

He is referring me to occu health, though in my experience they will side with work!!

I am not concerned because if needs be I will just 'go sick' - my sick record is perfect at the mo.

He seems a bit confused as he is classing this as cosmetic surgery rather than surgery that will save my life!

Thanks Ummmm its been a long time coming.

[Prudie]

I'd get your manager to do some better research, even a caesarian states up to 6 weeks. This will all be covered by your fit note after discussion between you and your consultant/GP anyway won't it.

[Sqad]

"Healing time" is quite a different concept than recovery time.
Healing time after 2-3 weeks is normal for an abdominal procedure, particularly laparoscopic, as your will be, but recovery time, that is when you re fit for work is a different matter and depends upon the operation.

Because the surgery makes your stomach smaller, you will get full more quickly when you eat. Food also may empty into the small intestine too quickly and lead to dumping syndrome. This can cause diarrhea and make you feel faint, shaky, and nauseated.....like in the "old days" of peptic ulcer surgery. Dumping Syndrome was quite debilitating.

[Islay]

yes prudie but my manager is a prat and seems to thinks he is a doctor!!!

[Islay]

thanks sqad

[Sqad]

\\\\but my manager is a prat and seems to thinks he is a doctor!!!\\\

This is a pretty common concept, particularly on websites...;-)

[murraymints]

well I think if you expect to be back at work so soon after having all your bits done is extremely optimistic..good luck though xx

[jennyjoan]

If you are undergoing the "knife" - no way would you be healed even from the wound - 6 weeks is my reckoning.

[Tilly2]

Good luck with it all, Islay.

[Islay]

Belladoner, the NHS in my area does not carry out this type of operation hence paying for it privately and yes they are removing my gallbladder at the same time.

[hc4361]

Good luck, Islay, and if you decide to 'blog' about your experience I would very much appreciate a link.