Question:
How long were you off work ( I am a nurse in a very busy hospital)

If anyone out there could let me know how long you were off work after having surgery that would be great. I am a nurse and work in a very busy hospital. I am planning to have surgery in the next few months, and have to kind of plan. Any info would be great. Thanks =)    — sara P. (posted on January 30, 2003)

January 30, 2003
I worked in a busy CVPACU when I had surgery 1.5 years ago and I went back to work in 6 days. However I did not lift patients for several weeks. I had lap RNY, I felt pretty good rather quickly.
   — Ronda L.

January 30, 2003
I also work in a busy hospital as an RN, I took off 2 weeks (vacation time),felt like I could have gone back sooner after my LAP RNY but the extra time was nice......good luck, also..it is good to plan ahead just in case they have to open for some reason !
   — Keniki B.

January 30, 2003
I must be a major wimp, I had open rny and went back to work as an RN in a hospital in 6 weeks, and really should have made it 8 week, I had a 5 # lifting limit for 2 weeks, then 10 # til 5 weeks. but was really afraid of lifting and getting muscle spasms in my upper abdomen til 8 weeks when I exerted my self. I did wear an abdominal binder when I went back to work for several weeks to protect my incision and hopefully prevent a hernia.
   — **willow**

January 30, 2003
oops 10 # limit for 6 weeks
   — **willow**

January 30, 2003
Sara, remember everyone is different. The doc told me 4 to 6 weeks and I am a branch manager at a bank. I took 7 weeks mainly due to my severe lack of energy. I did not regain my full energy level till around 10 weeks. You surely wont want to do any type of lifting for 6 weeks. Even running the vacuum was a no no for me. What a darn shame!
   — cindy O.

January 30, 2003
As everyone here is indicating, lifting is going to be your major hurdle. I had an open rny and was back to work 3 weeks after. I am a teacher, and there is no lifting. I was really tired by the end of the first week back, but if you take it easy at home and rest to save your energy for your job, it works pretty well. Wearing the binder for a longer period of time sounds like a great plan! It also depends on how you heal. After, 1 back surgery, 2 c-sections and a gaul bladder removal, it was a little easier for me to get up and around compared to the lady in the bed next to me who never experienced a surgery. Good luck, and I hope your plan falls into place for you soon.
   — Laurie B.

January 31, 2003
I was a college student and p/t waitress, and although I'm sure it wasn't as busy as being a nurse, I did have to move around constantly and carry super heavy dishes and trays. I went back to work after 4 weeks I think, but I pretty much had everyone else carry my stuff for a couple weeks. I didn't want to take a chance on hurting my new stomach, esp. since I had been in pain from LAP RNY for the 1st 3 weeks (think I'm a slow healer) Either way, I'd def. wait atleast 3 weeks, you are so tired and drained at first, and even if you aren't in pain, I would wait a few weeks. <p> Oh, something else I never anticipated was the running around. I really never had a problem with it, but after surgery at first, I was always thirsty, I felt dehydrated. Esp. since you are going to be very busy, make sure you always have some water around you. B4 surgery it's not as big a deal if you go a few hours w/o water, but post-op, my nutritionist said it's very impt to keep hydrated, esp when working. Just a tip. Goodluck to you! :)
   — Lezlie Y.