The course of treatment will vary depending upon which operation is performed and the individual practice preferences of your surgeon. The operative time can vary from 1 – 6 hours. Days in the hospital can be from 2 – 7 days. Diet is resumed between 1 – 3 days after the operation. Resumption of a "regular" diet can be from 3 – 6 weeks. Work can be resumed from 1 -2 weeks for non-physical labor and from 6 – 8 weeks for physical labor.