Anyone Work Nights?

Hello everyone.  Just wondering if anyone works at night?  I work 12 hour shifts (7pm-7am) 3-4 nights a week so my schedule kinda flip flops, however I'm still a night owl even when I'm off, hince I'm still up now writing this post ha.  Just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat and if it has affected your surgery results or any tips/suggestions? Thanks

Yep - I work mostly night shift, too.  And it is hard to get in enough sleep, but I love my job.  I think the key is planning.  When you have time off plan your meals, cook the extras so that it is easy to grab.  And I love Campbell's soup at hand.  Warm and filling.
In the ER I never know when things will calm down enough to eat, so I generally have a protein shake on the way to work and I take my food with me because sometimes my co-workers go out to fast food places that don't have anything I feel good about eating.  However, McDonalds will sell a grilled chicken patty (naked) for $1.35.  Wendy's charges almost $4 for what looks like the same size patty.  So that is a good option if McDonalds is on the list.  Wendy's small chili works pretty good for me too.  About 1/2 of the container is all that I can eat.

I was banded and have lost 67 pounds in 6 months, so I feel pretty good about things. 

Just remember that getting enough sleep is crucial to weight loss. 

Shelia

Hello...  I'm a 911 dispatcher and work the same hours you do...  My schedule is unique because we work 2 have 2 off, work 3 have 2 off , work 2 have 3 off (every other weekend is a 3 day weekend - thank God!)...  When I'm not at work I try to live "normal people hours", so on my first day off I come home and sleep 2-3 hours then I'm up until that night (I sleep good that night!), and the next day I get up at 8am for the day.  On my first night back to work I get up at 8am and take a nap in the afternoon for work.  Ever since my WLS (8/22/2002) I have been a morning person, but I'm working nightshift - hence the problem for me.  I've done real well with my WLS and have maintained pretty well (I gained 30 lbs about 3 years ago and I'm struggling to get it off again - but I've lost 217lbs total)... 

The things I have noticed that are hard for me have been that my co-workers eat to stay awake, they graze all night long.  I try not to do that but I catch myself sometimes also.  I'm working on eating at scheduled times and only what I bring to eat, but it's a struggle.  Also, I know that by the time I get home from work I'm beat.  Figure after getting up from sleeping, getting ready for work and getting the family set, then driving to work, working and coming home I work a 16 hour day usually.  So the last thing I wan to do it workout.  I have a real hard time with that. I try to do some type of excersize when I'm off but it's been off and on.  Hopefully with the weather getting nicer I can get out more. 

My "tip" for you is to watch how you're eating, take your time and make sure to eat your protein first, then veggies...  No drinking before or after eating (like your doc says) because it really does help you stay full longer.  Try to sip all night long otherwise.  Try to get into a habit so it's not a problem for you.  That's what I'm trying to do for myself.  I did real well when I had the same routine all the time.

Keep me posted and if you have ANY questions please feel free to PM me...  We are in a unique situation.  I hope that helps a little.

Thanks for both of your input.  I never really thought about it until the other day then I got a little worried and thats all I've thought about.  I assume on my days off, get up and eat at normal meal times, then when I work eat my "breakfast" before i go to work, "lunch" at work, and then a little something a few hours before I go to sleep?  I think we probably work about the same SherylR..I work a monday/tues, off wed/thurs, work fri/sat/sun...then off mon/tues, work wed/thurs, off fri/sat/sun.  I had thought about trying to go to a day position just to help me be on a daily routine but for one it would be a pretty good pay cut, and two I love the people I work with.  I suppose time will tell and I will do what I have to do to keep me successful.  Thanks again!

I work rotating shifts also and have had fairly good luck thus far.  What helps me is taking my food with me.  I try to include healthy snacks, and drinks that are non-carbonated and sugar free, yet will still give me a "boost" if needed.  I, also, fell into the routine of eating to stay awake PreOp, and it showed...alot.  Now, I try to take walks, surf/blog/email, or read during downtime instead of eating.  Good luck to you!

Jason

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AT GOAL!!!

 Kel, 
                            I work nights in the OR , I will be having my surgery April 2nd. I work 4 ten hour shifts. They are the same days everyweek , which helps a great deal. I do have trouble sleeping on my off nights.  I dont think it wll affect any results of the surgery.

Th anks!  I'm hoping since I will be out of work for six weeks I will get a routine scheduled out for me.  I feel like I could go back to work now!! However they wont let me go back on lifting restrictions...you know how that goes.  So you work at rex eh?  I have to say everyone was super nice and I have a pleasant first experience there.  Good luck on your upcommming surgery!  I know this will be life changing for us!  Glad to be on this journey with you!    Kelly

 Glad   your feeling great. I got a call from the office last Friday and they changed my date till April 3rd. I guess I can hold out one extra day.  I work in the OR at Rex , I love working here.