Question:
did anyone go back to work 3 wks postop?
i am a nurse having lap rny,doctor says i should be able to go back to work in 3 weeks. i lift alot,and don't want to get a hernia.has anyone else gone back to physical job soon after? what was it like? would appreciate any input. thanks — JOANNFV (posted on February 28, 2009)
February 28, 2009
I'm have my lap RNY Monday... my surgeon says I can go back to work in a
week. I swear.... he says he WANTS us up and moving around and getting
back to normal as soon as possible. My partner says she doesn't want me to
go back to work until the second drain is removed, on the Wednesday 10 days
after the surgery... or better yet, take the whole two weeks off, or
more...
— Erica Alikchihoo
February 28, 2009
I am a nurse too & work on a busy med/surg floor. I am taking 8 wks off
to fully recover. I just know that although my coworkers will be happy to
help me lift patients...I know it can get annoying to ask for their help
over & over again. I was told by a friend who also had RNY, she needed
at least 6 wks to recover & begin to feel like herself again. I know
everyone is different, but if you are able to take the time...do yourself a
favor & take it! You can still walk & exercise as your doctor
instructs you...but you'll have much more time to recooperate. Best of luck
to you on your journey:) Diane
— angel325
February 28, 2009
I do nursing too. I went back to work the fifth week, caring for a
quadraplegic man. I barely made it thru the day. I ended up going back
full time at 3 months. But that is me. I was 49, and I think alot of it
was due to fatigue from not getting the amount of nutrients and fluids. I
got real dehydrated alot, which made me feel bad. Hope it works out for
you. Don't strain yourself lifting too heavy of objects.
Lesleigh in Ga.
— lesleigh07
February 28, 2009
Another nurse here, although not currently doing clinical work. I'm just
past 3 weeks out and there's not way on earth I could do physical nursing
care at this point. First I'm just too de-energized, and secondly the risk
of hernia is significant during the first early phases (3 months+) post-op
from RNY. We were told to be very VERY careful with any lifting, twisting,
etc. That's not to say we aren't supposed to move, exercise, etc. But
lifting patients for 8 or 12 hours is not gentle exercise. Don't be afraid
to speak up. People don't have a clue what we nurses actually do in a shift
- the docs least of all! /Mike
— mountainmike
March 1, 2009
A fellow RN who was a case manager went back to work in 3 weeks but she
didn't do anything strenuous. Take as much time as you can afford. I am
also an RN and took 8 weeks off. You can still get plenty of excercise
without being at work like walking which you will be able to do at your own
pace. After surgery most peope feel extremely drained without energy. I
also had a concern about a small open incision that I wanted to be healed
prior to going back to work to avoid any infection. For most of us nurses,
the time away from work is always needed for our physical and mental health
whether we have a surgery or not. (AMEN to what Mike said about people not
realizing what nurses do! :-) )
— AuntPamcakes4six
March 1, 2009
Actually I had surgery on a Tuesday got out on Thursday and returned to
work on Monday . I am a Phlebotomist at a hospital, I had to take it easy,
but did well otherwise/
— christiewheeler
March 1, 2009
had surgery on a wednesday -- home on friday -- open rny -- back to work in
18 days working with behavioral autism/mr adults and was in a full
restraint my first day back -- no complications no nothing -- good luck
— RCassety
March 1, 2009
I am a Pre K Teacher and although I did not have to lift. I did not return
to work until 3 weeks. and I am glad that I took the extra week off. It
gave me time to get adjusted to my new lifestyle.
— joanib504
March 1, 2009
I work as an aide in pre k autistc and I only took
The week of spring break off but was not
Allowed to lift over 5 lbs for 3 weeks! My
Only complain was how tired I got!
Good luck!
— Shirley H.
March 1, 2009
I too am a nurse. I am a home health nurse and do skilled nursing care.
Dressing changes and assessments mostly. Lot of up and down in and out of
the car. Right now I have 4 weeks paid time off all together. Don't have a
date yet, so by that time hopefully I will have a little more time off. I
am hoping for 3 to 4 weeks off for sure. Every surgery I have ever had I
went back to work early, but something tells me to take time to recover
from this one. Good luck!
— buggyboot
March 1, 2009
I'm 2 weeks post Lap RNY, and while my job is not physical - I'm a computer
programmer - I can tell you that I wish I'd taken at least another week
off! I have to start work tomorrow, and I'm worried I'll be so exhausted
that I won't be able to make it through the day. I agree with everyone
who's said take as much time as you can - ESPECIALLY since nursing is so
physically and emotionally draining. You can't really help your patients
until you're well yourself! :)
— cathycros
March 1, 2009
I'm a nurse as well, but I do not have to do physical work, I do all the
computer training and maintain databases. I had Lap RNY on 2/16/09 and was
planning on going back after a week on 2/23/09. But after feeling great
most of the week, it caught up with me on Saturday and Sunday. I did take
Monday and Tuesday off as well, just for some extra rest time in. I did
return though on Wednesday 2/25/09 and have felt fine. I was a little more
tired when I got home obviously and went to bed earlier than normal, but
its been ok so far so good. I had history of 2 c-sections, hysterectomy,
gall bladder removal and 4 other lap surgeries...this wasn't as bad as
those for me.
— shyababy
March 1, 2009
I went back to work at 2 weeks. I do desk work. The first 3-4 days I
worked half days because I was dog-assed tired, but after that it was a
piece of cake. Good luck. PS: I've had several hernias - all because I
didn't listen to the doc and take it easy!
— Kathy
March 1, 2009
Hi There,
I am a nurse as well. I first planned on taking just 4 weeks off, but then
realized that I needed more. Ended up off for like 6 1/2. I too was on a
floor that required a lot of moving/lifting. I knew I didn't want to risk
hurting my insides. I also realized that learning how to eat was a little
bit of a struggle, and so was the emotional roller coaster in the first few
weeks. I didn't want to deal with either at work!!!
Good luck to you!!!
Caroline
— carolinern
March 3, 2009
I HAD THE LAPBAND 2/10/09 AND WENT TO MY REGULAR JOB THE FOLLOWING DAY. I
WORK AT AN OFFICE AND HAVE MY OWN DESK.IT WORKED OUT FINE AND DIDNT HAVE
ANY COMPLICATIONS OR ANYTHING.
— ME.IN.AZ
March 10, 2009
I am a nurse in a LTAC/Vent farm, working only weekends. I had my surgery
(LapBand) on Monday morning, missed only that next weekend. I do alot of
lifting and pulling, but have had no problems. I am amazed at how quickly
I recovered, and how wonderful the surgery is working for me. I'm 4 months
out, and down 60 pounds. I'm happy.
— BeenThere1
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