I always feel like a bit of a freak answering this, but I went back 5 days after the op and was fine. (I didn't tell work so was on a few days personal leave and not sick time. The only person who knew I was having an op was my secretary and my boss, both of whom I think assume it was hemmaroids as I was being cagey!!). It had never occurred to me to take longer. If I had to do it again, I would have taken a week as I was definately a bit pooped on the commute for the first few days.
It must hugely depend on what job you do ( office vs manual work), what your operation was like and if you have complications (open vs lapriscopal etc), what your starting BMI was, whether or not you get sick leave or have told people etc.
Anyhows I share this in the spirit of pointing out the other extreme. You must do what your body and doctors tell you!
Hugs
yoyo
x