Are you a nurse? I am starting a support group for nurses that are contemplating, undergoing or are now 'old pro's' with their sleeves!

By way of introduction, my name is Jana & I live in the DFW area and am currently undergoing the approval process. I have been a RN for 38 years--18 years in Surgery & 18 years in Case Management & as a Manager for a major health plan carrier.

So feel free to jump on board!

I am a RN, getting a gastric sleeve on Thursday 4/16. I also just got a fantastic new job...that starts 10 days after my surgery.

It is in the nicu, so no heavy lifting. But I am so nervous about making such a huge change physically at the same time I am changing my job as well.

I have been a nurse for 20 years, & am also in a MSN program. A lot to do & my body needs to be able to keep up with my brain.

Congrats on your job in the NICU....

However, please don't think it's not hard work. I went from being an adult ICU nurse to the NICU and yes our patients are smaller but some of the hardest and most demanding days I have ever worked as an RN have been in the NICU. I have been a nurse for 20 years and the last 12 have been in the NICU. When I first started as a NICU nurse the demands on me weren't the same as they are today. I currently do charge, transport and place PICCs in our tiny patients which often makes getting lunch at a reasonable time unpredictable and infrequent. (I work in a level 3, 94 single room NICU... That can hold 124 patients. We have multiple rooms).

My point is there is not many places in hospital nursing no matter what size your patients are that does not require some planning when you have barbaric surgery. I would drink Water on my way to work and a Protein drink. I also packed string cheese and deli slices in a lunch bag that had freezer packs so they would be convenient to access in my work area as our lounge and my locker were not close. I also carried a Protein Bar in my pocket or kept in work bag. As for water I just always kept it with me.

I also did not go back to work for almost 9 weeks after I had my surgery. I took full advantage of my surgeon requiring the full six weeks off and I already had some vacation planned at the end so by the time I went back I was back to eating a regular diet.

Thanks, I have worked there before, though it has been years. It can be exhausting, but first week is orientation so and then a few weeks with a preceptor.

I am concerned about eating, when I am working it is almost always run to break room or fish around in my purse, get something & gulp it down, go back to work. The RN at the surgeon's office was positive that I would be fine with premade Protein Shakes I could sip. This unit is new to me so I don't know the rules for meals, breaks, & drinks in the charting area.

My other option is to wait until the next orientation at the end of May. I haven't told them about the surgery, the job offer came recently & surgery has been scheduled a while. I am thinking I would be better off letting them know about it, & then waiting to start until next month. Bah, so much to worry over.

We are not supposed to have food in our charting areas but we all do which might be sticky situation as a new employee, but drinks are definitely ok were I work... So protein drinks would be ok

Edited April 12, 201511 yr by vanessak8

@@samuelsmom I'm gonna do the full liquid, with chicken Soup for lunch and maybe a hardboiled egg or yogurt for a snack. The diet I'm going to do calls for 5 shakes per day for the full liquid, about 800kcal/day. I figure with the yogurt or egg, I'll still be below 1000kcal/day. I was gonna take 4-5 weeks off. My boss and about 1/2 my coworkers know, so when I go back, I shouldn't have a problem with not lifting. I feel it's better for them to know instead of getting a funky attitude when I can't lift or push someone.

@milehighgal yes!

I'm glad I started today, get the kinks out. @@samuelsmom, you were absolutely right! I could do full liquids on my day off, so I know I won't be able to do it at work.

Wow, I'm surprised at how much time off everyone takes. I was back at work with no restrictions after a week and a half. I was definately tired working in a coronary intensive care unit where we have a lot of heavy patients that need repositioning. They were nice enough to give me a lighter assignment for about a week coming back, but my surgeon gave me no weight restrictions going back. Feel you guys are lucky to be able to get so much time to recover! Pre-made protein shakes were my saving grace. Premier Protein I felt had the best taste and the most protein per bottle. You guys will do great and good luck to you all!

I'm an RN too. I worked 14 years in ICU but have taken off the past 6 years to stay home with my son. My surgery date is June 5th. I'm looking for a buddy!!!

I've always wondered, does that prohibition from eating or drinking at the nurses station every actually stopped someone from doing it?

I've also wondered why after a night where there were 2 transfers out, 3 transfers in, and a code to boot, the nurse manager could find nothing more important to talk about than someone's beverage on the desk!

Hahaha @@samuelsmom ! I have had to eat my dinner at the nurses station out of necessity almost every night I worked! And I was the RN House Manager of a 195 bed hospital lol. I have had hard nosed supervisors in the past though. That's when you call your sister unit unit with " they're on they're way"! Suprise attack! - bummer.

Hahaha @@samuelsmom ! I have had to eat my dinner at the nurses station out of necessity almost every night I worked! And I was the RN House Manager of a 195 bed hospital lol. I have had hard nosed supervisors in the past though. That's when you call your sister unit unit with " they're on they're way"! Suprise attack! - bummer.

"their way"

Is this forum still active? I am a nurse and have been for 12 years. 4 years med-surg, 8 yrs postpartum and have just started a case management position. I live in a suburb of Dallas and I have just started my process of getting approved for the sleeve.

We're still here! This Saturday is my 1-year surgiversary. No regrets whatsoever. Good luck and keep us posted. Message me if you like.

@@LauriTX75 Yes it is still active with occasional post of nurses with updates and questions and concerns or like yourself, new to the group and wanting to increase their network of support...