Any Nurses out there?

[anniesebring 11]

I'm in the final stages of authorization before getting my surgery date. Curious, how long did you take off from work? When you returned were there any restrictions? I'm also struggling with the question that many here have? Do I tell people? If so who, and if I don't how do I respond to those that question my changing look? Also you night shifters, any meal planning suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

[aelovelady 243]

I was off for 1 week, could have gone back sooner. I have a desk job, so no restrictions

[LadyPullings 94]

I will be taking 1 week off as well!

[rte837 141]

12 years ago, think I took off 2 weeks?? As far as telling people: tell them if you want them to know; but some will not understand. I didn't tell anybody I didn't know could support my decision and keep their mouths shut. A good answer to questions about your changes; just say, YEAH! I AM losing weight. Do you like the way it looks? If they ask how; tell the truth; I'm eating less and moving more. It's not a lie and it's all they need to know.

[goodnuff 239]

I had the RNY and will have 6 weeks off. My job requires me to lift 50 pounds and carry it 6 feet so the surgeon said I need to be off for that long. My discharge instructions were not to lift more than 20 pounds for 2 weeks.

I went to days after 17 years of nights just in anticipation of surgery and no longer wanting to try to figure out when to eat or eating to stay awake.

I told everyone. I'm a big mouth like that. 2 others have had WLS recently and I asked not to be compared to them. We are all different and will lose differently. I just knew that once I started losing people would ask how I'm doing it and it'd come out anyway.

Good luck through the final stages.

[VASCRN 22]

I took 3 weeks off.

[Bellaloly74 10]

I will be taking only 1 week...hope that's enough???

[glitter eyes 1,398]

I am a nurse, but I am the Assistant Director of Nursing, which is similar to a house supervisor. I do walk a lot, help move patients, lead the code and rapid response teams,so I am usually busy, but my job isn't as strenuous as a floor nurse. I took four weeks off. I could have come back at week three because I was feeling good, but was grateful for my extra time to adjust to my new way of eating. I had lifting restrictions for three weeks.

As for telling your co workers that is a personal decision. I have been lucky that everyone at my job has been supportive. In addition, there were four of us nurses that had the gastric sleeve within two weeks of each other, so that has been a lot of support.

When it comes to eating and the night shift schedule, just play around until you find what works for you. I log everything I eat into My Fitness Pal. What I do is consider (24 hours) 7am to 7am one day, that way when I clock out I start a new day. This has worked for me.

Try to take it easy post op and best of luck to you. This is an amazing wonderful surgery