When Can I Return to Work After Bariatric Surgery?

With surgeon expertise continuing to improve, laparoscopic weight loss surgery recovery becomes both easier and shorter for a majority of patients. All recovery time is different. The speediness of recuperation directly impacts time off work  – which will vary from patient to patient.¹

The real thing to remember is to have patience and go through recovery at your own pace. You know your body – so listen to it and don’t push it too far, as it can be detrimental to complications, risks, and weight loss!

Important: After your bariatric surgery, you may encounter side effects including low energy, nausea, weakness, fatigue, or even mood swings. Make sure you don’t plan to go immediately back to work. See how your body feels before making plans to return to work.

Returning to work can take as little as 5 to 10 days for gastric sleeve surgery patients. More invasive procedures like duodenal switch and gastric bypass generally take longer to heal and require more time off work.

The type of job you have is a strong factor in how long before you can go back to work. Patients in construction may need twice as long to recover than those with desk jobs due to lifting restrictions after weight loss surgery. Exercise, on the other hand, is much different.²

Return to Work Surgery Comparison

These are averages based on our patient’s past experience. You must follow your individual doctor’s orders.

How to Speed Up Weight Loss Surgery Recovery

With the advancement of minimally invasive operations – rather than open incision – healing is much faster across all procedures. That being said, bariatric surgery is still a major operation. There are no shortcuts to recovering and it’s always best to listen to your surgeon and primary care physician.

1. Walk around throughout the day (prevents blood clots and improves circulation)
2. Drink water (64+ ounces per day)
3. Get proper rest
4. No driving, no sex, no climbing, no swimming until recovered
5. Follow the post-operative diet
6. No work for 2 weeks post-op
7. No lifting more than 15 lbs until at least 2-4 weeks post-op
8. No lifting more than 30 lbs until at least 4-8 weeks post-op

Is Bariatric Surgery Covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

Yes, bariatric surgery can be covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act, otherwise known as FMLA. Your surgery provider should fill out an FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act)³ for time off work. Usually stating that you (the patient) “will be incapacitated for a single continuous period of time due to his/her medical condition, including any time for treatment and recovery.”

FMLA Incapacity Period: Estimate the Beginning and Ending Dates

You should be approved under FMLA to return to work about 2 weeks after surgery. This recovery period is referred to as the ‘incapacitated start/end date’.

• Incapacitated Start Date: Day of Surgery
• Incapacitated End Date: 2 Weeks Post-Surgery

If you are a patient with Mexico Bariatric Center, please send your FMLA paperwork to your patient coordinator, and our office administrator will fill it out for you before your surgical procedure date.

Helpful Resources

• Gastric Sleeve Surgery Recovery Time
• Gastric Bypass Surgery Recovery Timeline and Process
• Recovery and Healing After Gastric Banding (Lap-Band) Surgery
• When Should I Start the Pre-Op Diet?
• The Ultimate List of Bariatric Surgery FAQs
• What should I do if pain can’t be relieved when I return home?
• Choosing a Healthy Goal Weight After Weight Loss Surgery
• Life After Gastric Sleeve Surgery