HELLO MELANIE. I HAD OPEN RNY JANUARY 19, 2005. I HAVE NOT YET RETURNED TO WORK. I HAD COMPLICATIONS AFTER SURGERY. I AM DOING MUCH BETTER NOW, BUT I AM NOT READY TO GO BACK TO WORK. I AM STILL VERY WEAK AND AM WORKING ON BUILDING UP MY STRENGTH. I WORK AT A GERIATIC HOME. I HAVE 30PTS AND A TEAM OF 5-7 CNA'S TO SUPERVISE. NOT TO MENTION DR'S CALLS, FAMILY CALL'S, PT, ETC. THE CART I HAVE TO PUSH WEIGHS IN ABOUT 250LBS EMPTY. JUST IMAGINE IT'S WT. BEING FULL AND YOU HAVING TO PU**** DOWN THE HALL FOR TWO MEDICATION PASSES. I ALSO HAVE TO ADMINISTER TREATMENTS. I KNOW THAT I HAVE TO BE 110% WHEN I GO BACK TO WORK. I AM TAKING CARE OF OTHERS LOVED ONES AND I WANT TO DO MY BEST AND MAKE THEM HAPPY AND CONFORTABLE. I AM THINKING ABOUT GETTING OUT OF NURSING AND GOING INTO MASSAGE THERAPY FULL TIME. I AM STILL PRAYING ABOUT IT. NONE THE LESS, MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BODY IS REALLY READY BEFORE YOU GO BACK TO WORK. HAVE A BLESSED DAY. RUTH B.

Melanie, Each surgeon has their own desires. Mine informed me that post-op laproscopic pts usually return after 2 weeks??? Right Not me, I plan on taking at least 3 weeks. Have been getting along better lately. Open lap is 6-8 weeks. Good luck. Ask for more, and return sooner if you feel up to it. Be careful and don't over do. Thats what we do best! Mary

Thanks for your encouraging words. And congrads on your wt. loss so far. I bet you are very excited. God bless you. Debbie

My surgery date is finally set for Dec. 16th. It won't be long now and I will be on the losen side. I am still nervous b/c my surgery is going to be done open instead of laproscopically due to my insurance company. Guess what I am really worried about is having a big scare and longer recovery period. Please pray for me and my family. Sometimes I think being a nurse is a bad thing cause we know to much at least as far as the medical stuff goes. If anyone has anything to share on the open procedure I will be more than glad to listen. Please keep me in your prayers. God Bless you all, Debbie

Hello LPN's I got my LPN license in 1976 in WI, but moved to KS soon after that. I retired 2 yrs ago from a student health clinic on KS State Univ. campus. I loved working, but am enjoying my retirement so very much. Best of all is not having to wake up to that rude noise that old alarm clock makes. I had my surgery on 4/1/04 and have lost 95 lbs. I've sort of hit a plateau, but am not worried as I've heard several others say they have done the same. I love dropping in at the clinic every so often, cuz I always feel so good afterwards from everyone telling me how good I look! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the brisk fall weather. Suzanne