Question:
Will I be able to have surgery during nursing school?

I am starting nursing school in January. Since I am a tranfer student I already have most of the general education requirements ulfilled already so most likely I will be jumping into the more hands-on work. Will there be alot of lifting requred? Would it be possible to have surgery during the semester or will I have to wait until the semesters over. I plan on having lap rny because of the healing time. I work full time so I will only be taking classes part time at night. What do you think?    — Teekay80 (posted on October 9, 2002)

October 8, 2002
I don't know how much lifting you will have to do, but I was put on a restriction of not lifting more than 5 pounds for 6-8 weeks. That means nothing heavier than a gallon of milk. My surgeon and I planned on a Lap RNY, he thought I would have no problem, but he had to convert to an open RNY after taking one look inside of me. If this happens to you, expect a longer recovery time. Good luck
   — barbara A.

October 8, 2002
My wifes a nurse and a WLS success. You said LAP because of a shorter healing time. But with all the lifting you will do in a lifetime LAP is very important. 30% of OPENS get at least one incisional hernia. LAP the number is near zero. So this another reasson to get LAP!
   — bob-haller

October 9, 2002
I had my surgery last April 8, 2002, during the semester. I wasn't in nursing school yet, but I was taking chemistry and biology (10 credit hours). I'm an LPN for 13 years, and just now going back for my RN. Anyway, I only had classes on Monday and Wednesdays but it was all day. My surgery was on a Monday, so I missed that day plus that Wednesday, and the following Monday. I went back to class on the next wednesday (only missed 3 days of class). I ended up missing another day of class later on just because I felt crummy for a total of 4 days missed all semester. But let me tell you, I dragged my butt in there other times when I felt pretty crummy and weak too. There were times when I could not concentrate very well at all. Nursing school can be pretty intense (at least my LPN school was 13 years ago), depending on what period of time you are in. WALK during lunch and plan your meals out carefully. I took a little cooler with ice and sugar free pudding/jello for when I was on the full liquid stage. I ended up with a B in chemistry (darn it!) and an A in biology. I guess not too bad considering I had major surgery during the semester. Now it is 6 months later and I'm down 92 pounds to 153 (I'm 5'3"), I just got accepted to the BSN program to start in January! Good luck to you! It will be hard but you can do it! Feel free to read my profile or email me. Take care.
   — A. S.