Calling All Nurses.....

[lexnurse 26]

I am a pre-sleeve ER nurse, am going through 6 month program required by insurance. I am curious how you did when you returned to work..... with getting in your fluids and Protein, eating every 2-3 hours, etc.... I know there are times now that I am on the run for hours without a break or chance to grab some food. Do you all have any advice or tips?

Thanks!!!

[AngelBaby 153]

I was nervous about that too and I work in the OR right now doing a lot of relieving other staff for breaks/ lunches so it's not like I can have food or Water sitting around LOL I just figured out where I could stash a bottle of water and keep a snack in my pocket so anytime I get even 3 minutes I can drink some water or take a bite or two.. everytime I stepped out of one OR I would take 1 minute to drink water before I went into the next OR. I also figured out pretty quick who I could count on to relieve me here and there for a minute or two so I could stay hydrated that first couple weeks especially and most of my coworkers know I had surgery and have been very supportive. I think we just gotta find ways to sneak a minute here and there for ourselves and know it gets easier to stay hydrated after those first 2 or 3 weeks (at least it did for me), I think the swelling goes down and it's easier to take more sips than at first. I remember at first taking the teeniest sips LOL I was glad I had 10 days off after the surgery so I could adjust a bit before heading back to a physically demanding job

[AngelBaby 153]

hey everyone! update: I am 6 weeks out now and down 40 lbs. I'm amazed at how much better my energy level is vs pre op! I am LOVING my sleeve!!!

I'm not really loving my job these days LOL we are being required to work so much mandatory overtime (because of being on call for traumas) and I'm so over it. I'm grateful for my job but it's burning me out QUICK. I've only been in the OR for 1 year and I'm wanting to go back to critical care. I've been missing ICU so much, even with all the code browns LOL I'm on 12 hour days now but I'm even willing to go back to nights and am pretty sure I'll tolerate it better than I did pre op because I'm so much healthier now! gonna try and get my foot in the door in NICU or PICU.. but would gladly go back to adult ICU too LOL I miss putting my stethoscope on a patient... if that makes any sense.

anyway I'm grateful that in nursing we have so many options available to us!!!

hope you all are doing good and enjoying your sleeves!!! and I'm excited for all those who are about to get sleeved!

[tropicalgal 14]

Angelbaby, 40 lbs! Wonderful! So happy for your weight loss but sorry you're getting burnt out! Will pray you get to switch to one of the ICUs. Your comments about your sleeve made me feel better about mine! I was sleeved on Monday; my doc put drains in because I had my lapband out on Sept. 12. Guess he wanted to make sure any extra Fluid gets out of there. It sure has been painful! I had a CAT scan on Thursday & I do have fluid but not a leak. So here I sit, with 2 drains, wishing they were out (have appt tomorrow; I'm doubtful they'll take them out as they are still draining.) & I was feeling better. My sleeve rocking days are beginning slowly but I'm glad I'll be rocking it someday!!! Take care!

[VSG Duck 40]

I was nervous about that too and I work in the OR right now doing a lot of relieving other staff for breaks/ lunches so it's not like I can have food or Water sitting around LOL I just figured out where I could stash a bottle of Water and keep a snack in my pocket so anytime I get even 3 minutes I can drink some water or take a bite or two.. everytime I stepped out of one OR I would take 1 minute to drink water before I went into the next OR. I also figured out pretty quick who I could count on to relieve me here and there for a minute or two so I could stay hydrated that first couple weeks especially and most of my coworkers know I had surgery and have been very supportive. I think we just gotta find ways to sneak a minute here and there for ourselves and know it gets easier to stay hydrated after those first 2 or 3 weeks (at least it did for me)' date=' I think the swelling goes down and it's easier to take more sips than at first. I remember at first taking the teeniest sips LOL I was glad I had 10 days off after the surgery so I could adjust a bit before heading back to a physically demanding job [/quote']

Congrats on your loss that's great! I am an OR nurse as well (thankfully we don't do trauma so our call is managable). I work the 11am- 11:30pm shift... I start back to work in a week and a half. When I go back, I can see everything going great fluids wise until around 5pm. After that I may or may not get my breaks. I am going to try to be extra good about placing water in places I walk by often and communicate my needs to the charge nurses (thankfully, they are wonderful.) I am also worried about eating. My 30min lunch should be long enough, but, I eat really slowly now and the 15 min breaks may not be long enough. Well, it may be some trial and error at first...

[AngelBaby 153]

I work 10am to 11pm don't you love that shift?! I call it "slacker hours" because that was kinda my schedule when I was in college (before nursing school) hahaha

also that first week I stashed an itty bitty bottle of Water in the pocket of my scrubs (think size of those little airplane liquor bottles LOL) because I was so nervous about ending up dehydrated

[lexnurse 26]

LOL.. ladies i work 11a-11p in the ER.. and those are out busiest time!!! Hoping I'll be able to figure it out...

[healthiermom 27]

hey everyone! update: I am 6 weeks out now and down 40 lbs. I'm amazed at how much better my energy level is vs pre op! I am LOVING my sleeve!!!

I'm not really loving my job these days LOL we are being required to work so much mandatory overtime (because of being on call for traumas) and I'm so over it. I'm grateful for my job but it's burning me out QUICK. I've only been in the OR for 1 year and I'm wanting to go back to critical care. I've been missing ICU so much' date=' even with all the code browns LOL I'm on 12 hour days now but I'm even willing to go back to nights and am pretty sure I'll tolerate it better than I did pre op because I'm so much healthier now! gonna try and get my foot in the door in NICU or PICU.. but would gladly go back to adult ICU too LOL I miss putting my stethoscope on a patient... if that makes any sense.

anyway I'm grateful that in nursing we have so many options available to us!!!

hope you all are doing good and enjoying your sleeves!!! and I'm excited for all those who are about to get sleeved![/quote']

How much more do you want/need to lose? Im 5 days post op

[AngelBaby 153]

well I am 5'5" and today I weigh 224.. would like to get down to the 160s if possible but I really have no idea what is a good goal weight for me, guess I'll see when I get there hahaha

[AngelBaby 153]

LOL.. ladies i work 11a-11p in the ER.. and those are out busiest time!!! Hoping I'll be able to figure it out...

oh yeah it's our busiest time too! I just love that I get to sleep in a bit LOL

[VSG Duck 40]

hahaha

also that first week I stashed an itty bitty bottle of Water in the pocket of my scrubs (think size of those little airplane liquor bottles LOL) because I was so nervous about ending up dehydrated

That's hilarious! Just imaging myself "stashing" my little liquor bottles around occasionally sipping alittle under my mask during a case! That would go over great!

[JustSkinnyMeInside 89]

I work in cardiac cath holding so its always busy. I put a cup of Water and sip between patients ( in our break room). I also bring in Protein Shakes so i can sip on them between pts throughout the day. Ive only been back one week and so far this has worked. My coworkers all know about my surgery and its no big deal to step in and sip for 10 secs at a time. (-: I have noticed however its hard for me to concentrate since my surgery. Dunno if its after effects of anes, low carbs/sugar or lack of enough sleep. I was sleeved 10/8. Anyone else have this problem?

[AngelBaby 153]

That's hilarious! Just imaging myself "stashing" my little liquor bottles around occasionally sipping alittle under my mask during a case! That would go over great!

BAHAHAHAHA!!! I should have added that they didn't actually look like liquor bottles hahaha

[bubles089 35]

I am a respiratory therapist mostly in a very very busy Ed. I keep a premier shake in the Ed all the time. I am 2 months out now and tonight's the first night I have really had a dehydration issue. I worked the past 36 hr due to the hurricane and felt like death. I got about 20 oz in the past 2 days of Water so before I left I had a rn put an iv in and am currently giving my self a liter. I took off 1 month before going back to work and in the beginning my energy levels were a big issue. Milk is another thing I use to help with Protein. I also told the doctors and people I work with because they really support me and make sure I am taking care of my self, I am the type of person I won't stop till everything is done and i pass out.