Super Nurses With Sleeves (Support Group)

[dsmith_rn 186]

Hooray! So glad I found this thread! I've been a NICU-RN for 7+ years in Santa Cruz, Ca and my surgery is coming up 6/15/15! I've only read through a few of the 42 pages of this thread on my iPhone;-P but there seems to be quite a large variance of how quickly people bounce back. My surgeon says I'll be back to work in 2 weeks and that sounds absolutely absurd to me! I'm planning on being out at least 6! Sitting at a desk for 8 daytime hours is one thing but There's no such thing as light duty on 12 hour nocs! At least my co workers are awesome and supportive, I just can't imagine being up for a code 2 weeks out!!! Any insight? I'm also worried about the Water intake. I drink easily 3-5 liters a day and I'm worried only being able to sip I'm going to feel extremely parched!

I'm also a NICU nurse. I originally took 3 weeks off. I tried to return to work, but after 1 shift I ended up back in the hospital with dehydration. We cannot have even WATER anywhere near patient care areas, and you know a NICU nurse spends her entire shift in the patient care area! My doc gave me an additional 3 weeks disability so I was off for a total of 6 weeks. I still didn't have my energy back so it was hard, my body still adjusting to consuming only about 500 calories a day, but it got better.

A year later, now that the weight is gone i have more energy than I've had in decades! No more BP meds, lipid panel normal, no more snoring/sleep apnea, my life is very different, but in a great way!

Feel free to private message me if you have more questions or just want to chat.

[cmhueto 167]

In so glad i found this post!! Med/surg RN for 7 yrs. @dsmith_rn. We can't have Water at the nurses desk or with us anywhere. Only break room (or sometimes hidden in the kitchenette) it's very difficult for me to stay hydrated now! I'm not sure how I'm going to do it. My manager said I had to be out until I was cleared to lift 50lbs so this is at least 3 weeks if not longer, reading your post makes me glad I'm asking for 6 weeks medical leave just in case! I can always come back sooner. Any tips on his to stay hydrated would be helpful.

[dsmith_rn 186]

In so glad i found this post!! Med/surg RN for 7 yrs. @dsmith_rn. We can't have Water at the nurses desk or with us anywhere. Only break room (or sometimes hidden in the kitchenette) it's very difficult for me to stay hydrated now! I'm not sure how I'm going to do it. My manager said I had to be out until I was cleared to lift 50lbs so this is at least 3 weeks if not longer, reading your post makes me glad I'm asking for 6 weeks medical leave just in case! I can always come back sooner. Any tips on his to stay hydrated would be helpful.

My surgeon told me that the "magic" 64 oz water is an arbitrary number, no one really knows how much water a body needs in a day. As long as i am urinating every 4 hours or so I'm fine. I never get 64 oz in a day, usually i get about half that. A year out my labs are great and i am healthy. All you can do us the best you can. Sip liquids when you can and don't stress over it, that's my advice.

[zayifkadin 8]

I'm a retired nurse who will have surgery hopefully 3rd wk of June. Looking forward to ending this preop period and really revving it up!

[Julezie 4]

I've been an open heart nurse for 6 years. I just got my surgery date for June 23rd. I'm nervous about starting my pre-op diet in two weeks. I'm also wondering if anyone worked while doing their pre-op diet and how did that go.

[imsleevednow2015 0]

Hi I am a cna and I will be sleeved in Aug n I want to knw is it ok to go back to work in 3 - 4 weeks

[defibvt 348]

@@Julezie I was on the preop diet while I worked. I work in an ICU and work nights. I had my shakes for a mid shift meal and a light salad for my dinner.... It is doable. We can have Water at our computer station ONLY if it is covered.

[Julezie 4]

I'm a nursing student in Michigan, just sleeved on the 26th. Does that count? =)

Um.... YES!!! How much longer do you have in school?

[Julezie 4]

It was my first surgery and I was really nervous going in, but I was pleasantly surprised because it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

This will be my first surgery too and I'm optimistic that it won't be that bad. I recover patient's in a CVICU I figure if they can go through open heart surgery I can do this.

[Fluffypal 13]

Yay! My surgery is scheduled for August 24th. I can't wait. There are so many hoops to jump through so it feels good to be approved!

[tabby76 4]

Haven't been on in a while. Im working nights on a neuro intermediate unit now and have started my BSN classes. I have a follow up with the doc this month.I'm having trouble staying hydrated...went to clinic to be seen for viral syndrome and ended up getting a liter of fluids...is chronic dehydration a diagnosis lol. Exercise is still a struggle but I have to do it. Hope everyone is doing well

[knoxvegas 22]

RN in Knoxville, TN.... Just started the journey. Met with sx today and am currently on the 6 month wait game... Hope to have sx in October.

[debsta816 10]

Haven't been here for awhile. Have my 7 month checkup on July 8. I still have 11 pounds to go to make Doc's goal for me. Slow going with little exercise and chronic pain still dogging me. I get my Protein and Water every day. Somebody give me a kick start,please. I've stalled out at my halfway point!

[juno5 30]

Hello! I work in critical care float...which is basically critical care and everywhere else....I am currently in the beginning of the entire process. I just spoke with my new pcp and he is very supportive of my decision to go forward with wls, as is my husband. I work full time and have kids at home. How much time did everyone here take off post surgery? Did you have trouble with your postop diet at work? Oh...and I'm from Minnesota.

[cmhueto 167]

Hey, started my pre-op diet today, and one of the patients families brought in Bagels and can cheese, the junk good drawer was full of chocolate and there was Angel food cake with pick frosting cause it was somebody's birthday!! Aarrrhhhgg.. It was hard, but ya know I didn't touch any of it!!! Woootwooot!! I'm just worried about cravings post-op. But I've day at a time!!! Going in for surgery on the 12th!!!