Hello everyone,

If you are a nurse I do not have to tell you how demanding nursing is on the body. Can some of you share with me how long were you out of work after your surgery? and were you able to return to work with no problems. I am a ICU nurse and I am pending approval, my only concern is when will be able to return to work. We do 100% of the pulling and lifting. Please share your experiences.

I work in radiology so I understand the demands of moving patients. And for you in ICU-even bigger demands. For me, I told the people I work the closest to. My doctor restricted moving patients for four weeks. I went back to work in 11 days. So my co-workers helped out a lot. I picked up that slack in other areas, paper work, stocking supplies, charting etc...Now I actually use the proper techniques we were taught way back in school. Lift with your legs, center yourself etc..... good luck with your surgery. there are plenty of nurses on here so I am sure they will share their experiences on how it has worked out for them.

Thank you so much for your input.

Hey there -

I'm a Paramedic for a very busy city Agency so I get it!

I took 4 weeks off of work, however, I could have went back after 3 and think I would have been fine.

Just take the time your body needs and only go back when your ready! Don't risk complications take care of yourself.:seeya:

Good Luck!

I am a neonatal ICU nurse and went back to work in 10 days. (We had a weight restriction of 15lbs, but in the NICU that is generally not a problem.) All my coworkers knew about my surgery, that helped a lot. I always keep a glass of water ready!!

Hey,

I am a firefighter and I am going to just go ahead and take off 6 weeks.

Hi I am an ICU nurse and I went back to work 9 days after surgery. My co workers new about my surgery and they wouldn't even allow me to lift anyone. We usually work good together and everyone is good at helping. Especially the night shift. :seeya:

Hi. I'm an ortho nurse and usually it takes a max assist of 2 nurses to get our patients out of bed and sometimes 3 to get them back in so I hear ya!! I took off 4 weeks, mainly cause it was the middle of the summer and I wanted to enjoy some time to myself as well. Looking back, I could've gone back after 3 and have been comfy enough to do everything. But my Dr said to stay out 3-4 because of the heavy lifting. I was just a little tired at first and a little sore but it didn't affect my shifts once I returned. Good luck!!

My doctor told me no lifting anything over 10 lbs. for 6 weeks. We have staff that comes in with equipment to move patients.

The reason is because they sew sutures tying the Greater curvature of the stomach around the lower esophageal area. This prevents slippage--for the first couple weeks-- after surgery. I felt like walking around and driving places about 1 1/2 weeks post op. I was on Short Term Disability for 4 weeks. I did not want to risk messing it up, and having to get surgery again.

I'm a night shift RN and I took a leave of absence for 3 weeks after surgery. I wish I had taken another week, but it turned out okay. My doctor still kept me on a weight lift restriction of no more than 15lbs. for two weeks after I returned to work. Even though I'm the supervisor, I still assist staff with lifting/turning patients. My manager and the rest of the staff understood my restrictions and wouldn't let me touch one patient. It was difficult to bend over, bend down, or even sit upright too long. Take as much time off as you need. You don't want to rush going back too soon.

Thank you Everyone who replied to my thread the information has been really helpfull.

Im a NICU Rn and took a month off , on disability after surgery. I felt I needed it just because of 12 hr shifts being tired and only liquids for first few weeks etc. I also have an intermittent sick leave for a year so upto 3 sick days at a time dont count towards the hospital sick leave policy. I was glad I took the month off

I thought I could go back after 2 weeks--Dr said no way. I ended up with 4 weeks off--and I needed every bit of it. We lift a lot of weight too. So, I would listen to my Dr and take off 4 weeks...It helped with post op diet too. I work at night and used to have to eat to stay awake. I would have been weak and shaky on clear liquids trying to work. Good luck to you!!!:smile:

Thanks for youer feedback LDnurse.

:smile: I agree with the 4-6 weeks, that everybody else has been posting. I work in the ER and there is no such thing as "light duty" so I took 5 weeks off work.

Hello everyone,

If you are a nurse I do not have to tell you how demanding nursing is on the body. Can some of you share with me how long were you out of work after your surgery? and were you able to return to work with no problems. I am a ICU nurse and I am pending approval, my only concern is when will be able to return to work. We do 100% of the pulling and lifting. Please share your experiences.

I am a CNA and do 100% lifting... my doctor said I could go back to work after 2 weeks but restricted to 15lbs of lifting. My job said "no way", they told me I would be of no use, which makes sense cause every day I am lifting thousands of lbs total... so I had to be off for 4 weeks until I was aloud to go back to full limitions.