Bandsters in Nursing/Health Care Fields

[beanie80 146]

Let me preface this thread by stating that this is not a place to receive or give medical advice. Please do not post here looking for nursing/medical advice. Please call your primary care provider or bariatric care provide with any medical questions that you may have.

With that said, I wanted to start this thread to trade information and support other RNs (NPs, MDs, PAs, LPNs, CNAs, CMAs, Counselors, PT/OT, etc) along our Lap Band journey. As care providers we often think of everyone else before we think of ourselves. We have demanding jobs that can be physically and emotionally draining. We often forget to eat or even go to the bathroom while at work. Many of us turn to food to deal with the stress/grief or even celebrations of our jobs. Not to mention the well meaning patients and families who bring us food to show appreciation for our excellent care .

I'm hoping that we can give each other support and advice on everything from how to answer nosy questions from our co-workers (you're having surgery? what are you having done? I'm working in the OR that day!, who is your surgeon?, OMG I took care of a patient once who had lap band and they had such and such complication, etc.), how soon to go back to work at the hospital/clinic/home health etc., to how in the world can I spend 30 whole minutes eating a meal at work!?

Looking forward to learning from you all!

[beanie80 146]

On that note, how soon after lap band were you able to go back to work at a hospital taking care of patients? Our new schedule has been posted and I'm looking to pick up shifts in July, but I'm not sure when I will feel well enough to work and move heavy ICU patients around. I'm having surgery June 26th and my doctor has said I can start exercising 2 weeks after surgery

[GoingforGoal 1,734]

Hello, Nice to meet a fellow RN. You'll see there's quite a few of us on LBT so hopefully this generate a good conversation. I took a full 2 weeks off before going back to work. I probably could have gone back earlier, however, I did not want to risk that crazy night where you are given one too many patients, or the high acuity patient that will be 12 hrs of nonstop orders etc. I am a NICU nurse so I lucky that I do not have to physically assist an adult patient, but the higher acuity can lead to some relentless running around and continuous cares/changing fluids-meds-vent settings/drawing labs etcetc. I never told anyone at work I got the band but I got a good laugh out of your "hey Im working the OR that day"... I got that when I was having my baby RC/S. LOL This is definitely worth to add to the "You know you are a nurse when.." lists haha.

[laralen02 38]

I'm a PICU nurse. I took 10 days off work, thinking that working in pediatrics I'd be okay. Unfortunately, my first day back I admitted a 180lb 8 year old on an oscillator. I would take as much time as you can. As far as telling coworkers, I told everyone. They're pretty observant, and not stupid. Everyone was pretty supportive except for a couple of people. And what do I care what they think? I've lost almost 90lbs and I'm happy. One person said before surgery, "aren't you worried about going under anesthesia just for a cosmetic surgery?" I told her that #1, yes I am, but I don't consider it cosmetic. #2...didn't you have a boob job a few years ago!

[golfzilla 0]

Let me preface this thread by stating that this is not a place to receive or give medical advice. Please do not post here looking for nursing/medical advice. Please call your primary care provider or bariatric care provide with any medical questions that you may have.

With that said' date=' I wanted to start this thread to trade information and support other RNs (NPs, MDs, PAs, LPNs, CNAs, CMAs, Counselors, PT/OT, etc) along our Lap Band journey. As care providers we often think of everyone else before we think of ourselves. We have demanding jobs that can be physically and emotionally draining. We often forget to eat or even go to the bathroom while at work. Many of us turn to food to deal with the stress/grief or even celebrations of our jobs. Not to mention the well meaning patients and families who bring us food to show appreciation for our excellent care <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />.

I'm hoping that we can give each other support and advice on everything from how to answer nosy questions from our co-workers (you're having surgery? what are you having done? I'm working in the OR that day!, who is your surgeon?, OMG I took care of a patient once who had lap band and they had such and such complication, etc.), how soon to go back to work at the hospital/clinic/home health etc., to how in the world can I spend 30 whole minutes eating a meal at work!?

Looking forward to learning from you all![/quote']

[LeslieW 92]

I haven't been on the boards for a little bit but I think this is a wonderful topic to have. I am currently a CMA going back to school for my RN. I am worried about how I will fit in the meals I need with school and clinicals. I have been told not to even think about trying to have a job for the next 2 years. I am sure I will be carrying lots of Protein shakes with me. I had my surgery in January so I do not have to worry about lifting restrictions anymore. I am more worried about eating to fast and getting stuck or not eating at all. I do forget unless I schedule my meals. I have also told everyone around me about my surgery. Sometimes I even tell the servers when I go out to eat. I got tired of getting the stink eye when I didn't eat much food or managers falling all over me because they assume I do not like the food. I figured my close friends and family will either be supportive or not. Right now I don't have any co-workers to tell but I would think being in a profession where you have to lift you would want to tell people you need assistance at least. I was not allowed to lift over 30 lbs for 3 months after surgery because my doctor did not want us to flip the port and have to have revision.

laralen02---- lol I had to laugh at the cosmetic surgery and boob job comment. People can be so funny.

[EJRN 79]

Hello! I'm Erica! A ICU & Dialysis RN. Everyone knows I'm having the surgery but I am very nervous about being cath'd at the hospital I work at. SMH. What if they think the pubs aren't trimmed the way they should be and tell everyone. LOL. But seriously, you know how gossipy some people can be! As long as the versed comes before lithotomy and the catheter I'll be ok LOL. Surgery is Wednesday.

[beanie80 146]

Erica I totally thought that about 'personal grooming'! hahaha you better believe everything is going to look nice and neat down there.

180lb 8 year old!? I love my little 90lb grandmas even more now....

So for those of you already banded, how do you get enough time to eat meals at work??

I'm also tempted to be one of those patients who puts a blanket over their head while being wheeled around...I don't want to be stopped and asked what is going on!

[Lori123 170]

Hello I am An RN and I work in peri operative services, specifically same day surgery. I had my lapband where I work so was actually a patient in my own dept so there was no hiding it! I had my surgery on a Wednesday and went back a week and a half later per my MD instructions. I didn't have any problems and the soreness was gone by then. Most of the advice I see in here is good such as "you need to call your surgeon or speak to the bariatric nurse". I don't really see anyone giving out inappropriate advice, which is good . Good luck and let us know how your doing! As far as telling everyone, you could actually be an inspiration for others as a fellow nurse in my dept was for me. :0)

[Jun021068 87]

I am an OT and I was back at work doing transfers without restrictions after 2 weeks post op. I did not have any problems following the diet post op and while at work. I had my surgery Jan 25, 2013. Good luck on your journey.

[Nurse_B 270]

This is a great thread, and I am happy someone thought to ask the question of how long you should be out. I have alerted my boss and lead RN about the surgery due to taking time off. Both were very supportive. I have slowly shared with other co-workers. They are all very positive and reassuring people, but I still am not sure what to expect when I tell people. We all eat lunch together during the same time, so I think they would notice the change in my diet, and hopefully the weight loss!

[Jun021068 87]

I told my close friends and colleagues first then I told everyone that ask when they noticed the weight loss.

[mamasass 16]

I am an LPN in a step down/ rehab unit. My procedure is scheduled July 1. I have only told a few close Co workers. I am having a hernia repair also, so that is my excuse. I do very little lifting at work but have planned about 3 1/2 weeks off to be on the safe side and it is summer vacation for my kids so I am happy to spend a little xtra time with them while I recover.

[ItsANewDay 119]

I'm a psychologist, PhD. I own my agency, specializing in children with special needs. I found myself going back to emails and paperwork the following morning of my surgery. I can totally relate to the post regarding being appreciated with gifts of food. Cookies, cakes, donuts, bagels...client families are always trying to feed me and my staff. I appreciate it, but some treats are tough to walk away from. chocolate is the most difficult.

[KAATNS 1,473]

I am a Clinical Operations Manager so I have the flexibility to eat when I need to, which makes it nice. I agree that there's pretty much no privacy for those of us in the healthcare industry, unless you choose a facility other than where you work. We constantly have drug reps bringing goodies into the office, not to mention the birthdays and baby showers going on. I just try to make healthy choices and log everything I eat. So nice to see so many others in the healthcare field.