I am newly scheduled for my surgery (sleeve) on January 5. My question is, how long should I be off work? I am a nurse and work 12 hour shifts on a busy unit in the hospital. I am concerned about the fatigue, working those kinds of shifts. Any input is appreciated. Thank you and I'm very excited/nervous

I'd definitely plan on 4, and maybe 6, depending on how you recover and how well you're able to establish what works for you for keeping hydrated. I have a desk job and I'm planning on 4, just to get new habits firmly dialed in. The problem for us as caregivers is that when we're on the job, we forget we even HAVE bodies, much less listen to them.

I don't work on a unit,but I am a Nurse Manager. My advice is to take off as long as possible. We as care givers forget to take care of ourselves more often than not. Not sure what shift you work, but if you work on a busy unit it is hard to take the time for yourself that you need. This is how many of us ended up the way that we are. I am a little over 2 months out. I find that the only time that I get sick is while I am at work. It is usually because I wait to long to eat, then scarf down some food because I am so hungry. About 30 minutes later it makes a reappearance. This is a time to take care of you, so take it. This is just one persons advice.

I work days and it is just insane most days. I talked with a couple of ICU nurses today who only took a week off. They said oh it was fine, but then admitted they got really tired, more so than normal. I'm thinking 4 weeks. Anymore than that and I will either go stir crazy or never want to go back lol

I'm healthy otherwise so I anticipate recovering well. At the same time, I want to heal properly and make sure I can handle those days.

I am an RN in the OR. I also had a hiatal hernia repaired. If no repair I could have gone back in 4 weeks, but had restrictions for 6 weeks. It was great. I took the extra time and worked on building endurance walking miles and miles a day. When I went back to work after 6 weeks the only challenge I had was getting in water as I am far from water being in the OR.

I'm an EMT and my doctor said I should be out for 8 weeks. I had to go back a week early. My first day back I was very tired and even got sick in the back of the ambulance, which never happens. But after a few days I was ok. Take your time don't rush back to work. Remember you actually have more physical work than you think. Trust me you don't realize how much you move and you do until after your surgery. Good luck to you

I don't work on a unit,but I am a Nurse Manager. My advice is to take off as long as possible. We as care givers forget to take care of ourselves more often than not. Not sure what shift you work, but if you work on a busy unit it is hard to take the time for yourself that you need. This is how many of us ended up the way that we are. I am a little over 2 months out. I find that the only time that I get sick is while I am at work. It is usually because I wait to long to eat, then scarf down some food because I am so hungry. About 30 minutes later it makes a reappearance. This is a time to take care of you, so take it. This is just one persons advice.

Good advice.

I'm a paramedic. I had my VSG on 10/14. I am cleared to go back tomorrow. That's a month. I could've returned earlier, but I work for a very busy system and I needed to be sure I was 100%. We don't get much time to eat some days and I wanted to be able to have some flexibility in food choices. I think my first shift back might be this weekend. Wish me luck.

I ask they said 2 weeks

I have a desk job and took just 5 days off.

No issues.

I'm a paramedic. I had my VSG on 10/14. I am cleared to go back tomorrow. That's a month. I could've returned earlier, but I work for a very busy system and I needed to be sure I was 100%. We don't get much time to eat some days and I wanted to be able to have some flexibility in food choices. I think my first shift back might be this weekend. Wish me luck.

Good luck brother. I'm a fire medic, told work I'd be off 6 weeks. Like you, I was worried about getting busy and not being able to get my water in. Take care of yourself.

Thanks. When was your surgery? I'm trying to preplan with water and Premier Protein shakes. I typically work two busy 12s and one slow 24. We'll see how it goes. At least it's not summertime!

I went back to work after 3 weeks. I was having some pain for my first few shifts and I was pretty week. It wasn't that bad though. Even before my sleeve I never ate a lot at work. And I still don't now. I do drink a lot of calories when I get sleepy which is probably the worst part, but I have to be alert.

Thanks. When was your surgery? I'm trying to preplan with water and Premier Protein shakes. I typically work two busy 12s and one slow 24. We'll see how it goes. At least it's not summertime!

How'd it go? My surgery was last of Oct so I'm looking at going back around Christmas. And you're right about the time of year, I thought the same thing. I'm a big sweater in the summertime. Would be easier to get dehydrated then.

Thanks. When was your surgery? I'm trying to preplan with Water and Premier Protein shakes. I typically work two busy 12s and one slow 24. We'll see how it goes. At least it's not summertime!

How'd it go? My surgery was last of Oct so I'm looking at going back around Christmas. And you're right about the time of year, I thought the same thing. I'm a big sweater in the summertime. Would be easier to get dehydrated then.

Looks like we're sleeve brothers. I just got my clearance email yesterday. I guess my first official shift will be Monday. Austin, Texas here. I hope you're well! Stay in touch!