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Top Tips for Smoothly Transitioning Back to Work after Gastric Sleeve Surgery

April 28, 2023

Top Tips for Smoothly Transitioning Back to Work after Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Are you preparing to return to work after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery? It can be a major challenge adjusting to everyday life while still focusing on your ongoing recovery. Whether you are someone who works full-time, part-time or even remotely, we know that it’s important for you not just go back but hit the ground running!

That’s why we have compiled some of the best tips and strategies in this blog post that will help you transition smoothly back into the workplace after surgery, ensuring both productivity and comfort during this crucial period. So sit back, relax and get ready for a successful comeback journey!

 

Understanding the timeline of post-surgery recovery

Although gastric sleeve surgery is a major operation, most people are back to their normal activities within a few weeks. It is important to understand the timeline of post-surgery recovery so that you can plan accordingly.

Most people feel well enough to return to work within two weeks of surgery. However, it is important to listen to your body and take things slowly. Some people may need to take a few more days off before they feel up to working again.

It is essential to get plenty of rest and eat a healthy diet during the first few weeks after surgery. You will also need to avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting. Gradually, you can increase your activity level as you start feeling better.

If you have any concerns or questions about your recovery, be sure to talk to your doctor or surgeon. They will be able to provide you with personalized guidance on what to expect and how to make a smooth transition back to work after gastric sleeve surgery.

 

 

Preparing mentally and physically for returning to work

The stomach sleeve surgery is a major life event. After the surgery, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and stressed about returning to work. Here are some tips to help you transition back to work smoothly:

1. Give yourself time to recover: It is important to give your body time to heal after surgery. Stomach sleeve surgery is a major operation, and you will need time to recover both physically and mentally. Give yourself at least 2 weeks off from work to rest and recover.

2. Talk to your employer: Before returning to work, it is important to talk to your employer about your surgery and recovery. Let them know what accommodation you will need, such as extra time off or flexible hours. This will help them understand your needs and make the necessary arrangements.

3. Ease into it: Once you have recovered from surgery and talked to your employer, ease into working life gradually. Start with a few hours a day or a couple of days a week. Build up gradually as you feel ready.

4. Listen to your body: After gastric sleeve surgery, it is important to listen to your body and be aware of how you are feeling physically and emotionally. If you are feeling tired or run down, take a break or call it a day early. Don’t try to push yourself too hard, this can lead to setbacks in your recovery process.

 

Practical tips for eating and drinking while at work

  1.  Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially water. This will help keep you hydrated and prevent overeating.
  2. Eat smaller meals more often throughout the day. This will help you control your portions and avoid overeating.
  3. Avoid trigger foods and drinks that may exacerbate your symptoms or cause discomfort. These include spicy foods, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and alcohol.
  4.  If possible, take a break from work to eat your meals in peace. This will help you focus on eating and avoid distractions that can lead to overeating or skipping meals altogether.
  5.  Chew your food slowly and thoroughly to aid in digestion and prevent dumping syndrome (a common complication after gastric sleeve surgery).

 

Ways to reduce stress and manage expectations

Assuming you have completed your gastric sleeve surgery and have been cleared by your doctor to return to work, there are a few important things you can do to help make the transition as smooth as possible. Here are a few tips:

Manage your expectations

Don’t expect to be able to work the same hours or at the same pace as you did before surgery. Your body is still healing and adjusting to its new normal, and it’s important to listen to it. Build in some extra time for yourself, both in the mornings to get ready for work, and throughout the day to take breaks as needed.

Communicate with your employer ahead of time

Let your boss know what to expect in terms of your hours and productivity level. It’s also helpful to ask for any Flexible Work Arrangements that might help make things easier for you, such as working from home one or more days per week, or having a more flexible schedule.

Take care of yourself outside of work

In order to reduce stress and maintain your energy levels, it’s important to get enough sleep, eat healthy meals, and exercise regularly. If you can, try to implement these healthy habits before returning to work so that you’re not trying to make too many changes at once.

Find an accountability partner

Whether it’s a colleague, friend, or family member, find someone who will support you in making these lifestyle changes and sticking with them long -term. It’s also helpful to have someone to talk to if you start to feel overwhelmed or stressed out.

These tips should help set you up for success at work and make the transition as stress-free as possible. Best of luck!

 

 

Setting goals and tracking progress

After you have gastric sleeve surgery, it’s important to set goals and track your progress. Here are some tips to help you smoothly transition back to work:

Set realistic goals. It’s important to set realistic goals for yourself after surgery. If you’re not sure what you can realistically achieve, talk to your doctor or surgeon.

Track your progress. Once you’ve set your goals, it’s important to track your progress. This will help you stay on track and motivated. You can use a journal, online tracker, or even a simple spreadsheet to track your progress.

Be patient with yourself. It takes time to recover from surgery and adjust to your new lifestyle. Don’t expect everything to happen overnight – give yourself time to heal and adapt.

Seek support when needed. There will be times when you need some extra support, whether it’s emotional or practical support. Talk to your loved ones, join a support group, or see a therapist if needed.

 

Taking necessary time off

After undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, it is important to take the necessary time off to recover. This means taking at least 2 weeks off from work, and possibly longer if your job is physically demanding. It is also important to have someone else help you with household chores and tasks during this time.

Taking the proper amount of time off will help you heal physically and mentally, and will make the transition back to work much smoother. It is also important to listen to your body during this time and not try to push yourself too hard. If you need more time off, don’t be afraid to ask for it.

 

Conclusion

Gastric sleeve surgery is an incredible way to make major health changes, but transitioning back to work after the procedure can be a daunting task. Hopefully this article gave you some insight into how to make your transition as smooth and successful as possible.

Give yourself plenty of time for rest and recovery before getting back out there, ask for help when you need it, communicate with your team members openly about your progress or needs, and take advantage of any resources that may be available from workplace wellness programs so that you can ease into working at full capacity.

With these simple tips in mind, you’ll have the tools necessary to get back on track in no time!

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