Hey everyone. I’m going to be getting the sleeve in a couple of months but every time that I work I have huge second thoughts because I don’t know how I will find the time to eat and sip water all day between managing patients. I work on a tele/step down unit with four patients. Anyone out there have any thoughts?

I work nights on an incredibly busy med/surg floor handling six patients as an RN. Yes, it absolutely can be a bit challenging to get the water in now. Since I work overnights, I do keep my Yeti at the nurses station with me with my water. I do try to sip as much as possible to and from the rooms but I’ve gone from drinking 3 32 oz tumblers a night to 1-1.5.

Part of it is how busy I am, part of it is not being able to drink for an hour after I eat. It is definitely more challenging earlier after surgery, and it gets easier farther out. I have no issue at home on my days off getting my fluids in.

I was off for six weeks. My surgeon wanted 4 weeks but when they filled out my paperwork they had me on weight restriction for lifting so my director would not let me come back until that was lifted. Honestly, don’t be in a hurry to go back. Take the time you need to heal. It’s an adjustment dealing with the demands of this job with decreased energy, decreased calories, and less fluid intake.

Thats just my two cents.

I am a RN in a busy ER, I went back to work after one week because that is all I could take off financially. I was fine. Fill a water bottle and sip any chance you get. Don’t bring foods to eat that you haven’t tested on your days off...there were a couple of times I had to quickly excuse myself and vomit. Bring easy to digest foods...like protein shakes, yougurt, oatmeal, etc... Plan ahead.. I never had any pain.

I took the three weeks off recommended by my surgeon. I work on the stroke, brain injury and spinal cord rehabilitation floor so my job is very physical. When I went back to work I had some burning in my incision but it was tolerable. I drink 16oz of water while driving to work. I bring a bottle with benifiber into the dictation room and I sip whoever possible. I eat breakfast on my first 15 min break and drink a bottle of water on my lunch break I then eat my lunch on my last break. I drink another bottle on my drive home. I make dinner and drink another bottle an hour before bedtime. I've found this has worked for me I'm two months out. Hope this helps.

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But hey, thanks for your "helpful" comment.

Yes, indeed. Who am I telling people not to create problems where there are non? You're free to make your own life as complicated as you want to of course. So I apologize.

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So tell us... how DO healthcare providers eat and drink while on shift?

No idea how healthcare providers eat and drink while on 12 h or 24 h shift after they have decided to make things as complicated as possible but when on 24 h shift I eat and drink (and sleep) when I have the chance to do so and that worked quite fine from the beginning on: while doing computer work, between two interventions, while waiting for a patient to arrive...

On 2/27/2018 at 1:45 PM, relateableRN said:

Hey everyone. I’m going to be getting the sleeve in a couple of months but every time that I work I have huge second thoughts because I don’t know how I will find the time to eat and sip Water all day between managing patients. I work on a tele/step down unit with four patients. Anyone out there have any thoughts?

Don't work as an RN but I do work as a medic/firefighter for a local fire department. I was able to get it in while being on calls all day long. The key was to be prepared for anything, I had shakes all over the place! In my locker, in my bag , a had some packets on the medic with me along with a shaker bottle. I would also carry a large water bottle with water to make sure that I did not have any excuse to get my water in, or something to make my shakes. Wife is a ED RN in one of the busiest ER's in the state so I understand your concern but trust me if you have the stuff on the floor with you then you will be fine! Just set yourself up for success and plan for the worst and you will be fine!

But hey, thanks for your "helpful" comment.

Yes, indeed. Who am I telling people not to create problems where there are non? You're free to make your own life as complicated as you want to of course. So I apologize.

So tell us... how DO healthcare providers eat and drink while on shift?

No idea how healthcare providers eat and drink while on 12 h or 24 h shift after they have decided to make things as complicated as possible but when on 24 h shift I eat and drink (and sleep) when I have the chance to do so and that worked quite fine from the beginning on: while doing computer work, between two interventions, while waiting for a patient to arrive...



Only thing you need to apologize for is coming into a community that is suppose to be supportive and helpful and instead just being negative.

Don't work as an RN but I do work as a medic/firefighter for a local fire department. I was able to get it in while being on calls all day long. The key was to be prepared for anything, I had shakes all over the place! In my locker, in my bag , a had some packets on the medic with me along with a shaker bottle. I would also carry a large water bottle with water to make sure that I did not have any excuse to get my water in, or something to make my shakes. Wife is a ED RN in one of the busiest ER's in the state so I understand your concern but trust me if you have the stuff on the floor with you then you will be fine! Just set yourself up for success and plan for the worst and you will be fine![emoji3]

Yea, I think the best suggestion yet has been the tiny water bottle to carry around in the scrubs. Thanks for the suggestions!

I am an RN on a busy MS floor and this has been my concern too. My surgery is 3/21 and i have started practicing. I bought a canteen with a screw on lid and i keep it in my bag at the nurses station. I pull it out and take a sip whenever i can. I got a large one so i call fill it once before leaving home and not stop to refill at work. I bought a corkcicle brand. This has been working out great.