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I am a pre-sleeve ER nurse, am going through 6 month program required by insurance. I am curious how you did when you returned to work..... with getting in your fluids and Protein, eating every 2-3 hours, etc.... I know there are times now that I am on the run for hours without a break or chance to grab some food. Do you all have any advice or tips?

Thanks!!!

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I was nervous about that too and I work in the OR right now doing a lot of relieving other staff for breaks/ lunches so it's not like I can have food or Water sitting around LOL I just figured out where I could stash a bottle of water and keep a snack in my pocket so anytime I get even 3 minutes I can drink some water or take a bite or two.. everytime I stepped out of one OR I would take 1 minute to drink water before I went into the next OR. I also figured out pretty quick who I could count on to relieve me here and there for a minute or two so I could stay hydrated that first couple weeks especially and most of my coworkers know I had surgery and have been very supportive. I think we just gotta find ways to sneak a minute here and there for ourselves and know it gets easier to stay hydrated after those first 2 or 3 weeks (at least it did for me), I think the swelling goes down and it's easier to take more sips than at first. I remember at first taking the teeniest sips LOL I was glad I had 10 days off after the surgery so I could adjust a bit before heading back to a physically demanding job ;)

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hey everyone! update: I am 6 weeks out now and down 40 lbs. I'm amazed at how much better my energy level is vs pre op! I am LOVING my sleeve!!!

I'm not really loving my job these days LOL we are being required to work so much mandatory overtime (because of being on call for traumas) and I'm so over it. I'm grateful for my job but it's burning me out QUICK. I've only been in the OR for 1 year and I'm wanting to go back to critical care. I've been missing ICU so much, even with all the code browns LOL I'm on 12 hour days now but I'm even willing to go back to nights and am pretty sure I'll tolerate it better than I did pre op because I'm so much healthier now! ;) gonna try and get my foot in the door in NICU or PICU.. but would gladly go back to adult ICU too LOL I miss putting my stethoscope on a patient... if that makes any sense.

anyway I'm grateful that in nursing we have so many options available to us!!!

hope you all are doing good and enjoying your sleeves!!! and I'm excited for all those who are about to get sleeved!

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Angelbaby, 40 lbs! Wonderful! So happy for your weight loss but sorry you're getting burnt out! Will pray you get to switch to one of the ICUs. Your comments about your sleeve made me feel better about mine! I was sleeved on Monday; my doc put drains in because I had my lapband out on Sept. 12. Guess he wanted to make sure any extra Fluid gets out of there. It sure has been painful! I had a CAT scan on Thursday & I do have fluid but not a leak. So here I sit, with 2 drains, wishing they were out (have appt tomorrow; I'm doubtful they'll take them out as they are still draining.) & I was feeling better. My sleeve rocking days are beginning slowly but I'm glad I'll be rocking it someday!!! Take care!

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I was nervous about that too and I work in the OR right now doing a lot of relieving other staff for breaks/ lunches so it's not like I can have food or Water sitting around LOL I just figured out where I could stash a bottle of Water and keep a snack in my pocket so anytime I get even 3 minutes I can drink some water or take a bite or two.. everytime I stepped out of one OR I would take 1 minute to drink water before I went into the next OR. I also figured out pretty quick who I could count on to relieve me here and there for a minute or two so I could stay hydrated that first couple weeks especially and most of my coworkers know I had surgery and have been very supportive. I think we just gotta find ways to sneak a minute here and there for ourselves and know it gets easier to stay hydrated after those first 2 or 3 weeks (at least it did for me)' date=' I think the swelling goes down and it's easier to take more sips than at first. I remember at first taking the teeniest sips LOL I was glad I had 10 days off after the surgery so I could adjust a bit before heading back to a physically demanding job ;)[/quote']

Congrats on your loss that's great! I am an OR nurse as well (thankfully we don't do trauma so our call is managable). I work the 11am- 11:30pm shift... I start back to work in a week and a half. When I go back, I can see everything going great fluids wise until around 5pm. After that I may or may not get my breaks. I am going to try to be extra good about placing water in places I walk by often and communicate my needs to the charge nurses (thankfully, they are wonderful.) I am also worried about eating. My 30min lunch should be long enough, but, I eat really slowly now and the 15 min breaks may not be long enough. Well, it may be some trial and error at first...

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I work 10am to 11pm :) don't you love that shift?! I call it "slacker hours" because that was kinda my schedule when I was in college (before nursing school) hahaha

also that first week I stashed an itty bitty bottle of Water in the pocket of my scrubs (think size of those little airplane liquor bottles LOL) because I was so nervous about ending up dehydrated ;)

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LOL.. ladies i work 11a-11p in the ER.. and those are out busiest time!!! Hoping I'll be able to figure it out...

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hey everyone! update: I am 6 weeks out now and down 40 lbs. I'm amazed at how much better my energy level is vs pre op! I am LOVING my sleeve!!!

I'm not really loving my job these days LOL we are being required to work so much mandatory overtime (because of being on call for traumas) and I'm so over it. I'm grateful for my job but it's burning me out QUICK. I've only been in the OR for 1 year and I'm wanting to go back to critical care. I've been missing ICU so much' date=' even with all the code browns LOL I'm on 12 hour days now but I'm even willing to go back to nights and am pretty sure I'll tolerate it better than I did pre op because I'm so much healthier now! ;) gonna try and get my foot in the door in NICU or PICU.. but would gladly go back to adult ICU too LOL I miss putting my stethoscope on a patient... if that makes any sense.

anyway I'm grateful that in nursing we have so many options available to us!!!

hope you all are doing good and enjoying your sleeves!!! and I'm excited for all those who are about to get sleeved![/quote']

How much more do you want/need to lose? Im 5 days post op

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well I am 5'5" and today I weigh 224.. would like to get down to the 160s if possible but I really have no idea what is a good goal weight for me, guess I'll see when I get there hahaha

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LOL.. ladies i work 11a-11p in the ER.. and those are out busiest time!!! Hoping I'll be able to figure it out...

oh yeah it's our busiest time too! I just love that I get to sleep in a bit LOL

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hahaha

also that first week I stashed an itty bitty bottle of Water in the pocket of my scrubs (think size of those little airplane liquor bottles LOL) because I was so nervous about ending up dehydrated ;)

That's hilarious! Just imaging myself "stashing" my little liquor bottles around occasionally sipping alittle under my mask during a case! That would go over great!

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I work in cardiac cath holding so its always busy. I put a cup of Water and sip between patients ( in our break room). I also bring in Protein Shakes so i can sip on them between pts throughout the day. Ive only been back one week and so far this has worked. My coworkers all know about my surgery and its no big deal to step in and sip for 10 secs at a time. (-: I have noticed however its hard for me to concentrate since my surgery. Dunno if its after effects of anes, low carbs/sugar or lack of enough sleep. I was sleeved 10/8. Anyone else have this problem?

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That's hilarious! Just imaging myself "stashing" my little liquor bottles around occasionally sipping alittle under my mask during a case! That would go over great!

BAHAHAHAHA!!! I should have added that they didn't actually look like liquor bottles hahaha

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I am a respiratory therapist mostly in a very very busy Ed. I keep a premier shake in the Ed all the time. I am 2 months out now and tonight's the first night I have really had a dehydration issue. I worked the past 36 hr due to the hurricane and felt like death. I got about 20 oz in the past 2 days of Water so before I left I had a rn put an iv in and am currently giving my self a liter. I took off 1 month before going back to work and in the beginning my energy levels were a big issue. Milk is another thing I use to help with Protein. I also told the doctors and people I work with because they really support me and make sure I am taking care of my self, I am the type of person I won't stop till everything is done and i pass out.

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

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      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
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      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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