Going Back to Work after Weight Loss Surgery

Written by Jane Long

Going back to work after weight loss surgery varies with the patient. It depends on the bariatric procedure chosen, the type of work you do, and your tolerance for pain and discomfort in the healing process. Some people go back after only a couple of weeks; others need six weeks or more to recuperate enough to resume work.

In general, the doctor will/will not give you the green light to go back to work. If he/she states that you still need more recovery time, do not push it. In the end, you could do yourself more harm than good; plus, you will actually lose more time on the job, if you develop complications because you were in a rush to resume normal activity.

Knowing when you are ready

However, there are a few clues you can consider, if you are trying to determine if the doctor is going to give you the go ahead. For example, if you are still napping or taking frequent rests during the day, you are not ready to go back to work. You might try to force yourself to keep going, but your health and productivity on the job will both suffer.

Also, if you are going to be working all day, you need to be able to sleep well at night. If you are still bothered by discomfort and have difficulty resting, it is not time for you to resume your position. For example, if you are still dependent on pain medication to get through the day, or night, you should still be a home recuperating from weight loss surgery. Chances are the pills you have been given are pretty powerful, and you may not be safe to drive or be back on the job.

Finally, how are you progressing as far as your eating and drinking habits? Are you able to drink enough to get the required liquids into your system? If you are still struggling, and cannot down 64 ounces of liquid throughout the day, your time at home is not up.

Coworkers’ response

Are you prepared for the potential changes you will face when going back to the job with your coworkers? You will not be the same, and it may be difficult for them to treat you the same as well. For instance, if it has been a custom to go out to lunch together or go for a drink after work on Friday, your friends may not know what to do.

Naturally, they will feel uncomfortable eating and drinking around you, if you cannot join in as before. Oftentimes, even the best of friends have difficulty knowing what to say or how to react to the drastic changes that you are experiencing. It can put a strain on relationships.

Also, the initial response to curiosity can go two different ways. Either your coworker will be afraid to ask about your surgery, and simply be caught looking at you. On the other hand, you may have a particularly snoopy workmate that is plying you with endless questions that frankly are none of his/her business. So, you will have to decide how to respond to these potentially uncomfortable situations. It largely depends on your personality how you want to handle the inevitable questions. It is something you might want to consider while waiting for the doctor to give you permission to get back on the job.

Relationship Issues

In a perfect world, good friends and coworkers are supportive and encouraging throughout your recovery from weight loss surgery. But, you do not live in a perfect world. People may actually start to resent you for the health choices you have made concerning weight loss.

For example, some may see it as more of a cosmetic change, rather than a last ditch effort to regain your health and prevent premature death. Thus, the coworkers that have had to pick up the slack, in order to get your job done too, may not appreciate the fact that you have taken so much time off of work just to get skinnier. Remember, a lot of people have the uninformed belief that you have just taken the easy way out, after a lifetime of bad eating habits. They simply do not understand.

In addition, you are bound to change, as you start shedding those pounds. Maybe you will be more outgoing, because you have developed a new self-confidence. If you have friends that are still heavy, they may resent you for looking good. Also, you may develop new friendships as you change both physically and psychological. But, your old friends would prefer the old, fat you.

In short, going back to work after bariatric surgery is much more than being physically ready to resume your duties. You may be treated differently. As you change and gain self-confidence associated with the new you, your friends may want the old you back. But, a real true friend and coworker will understand the necessity of your surgery, and still be there for you even if others start to treat you strangely.