WLS & Nursing School

I am in nursing school and hopefully going to have wls in mid May. How soon could I go back to clinicals? I was hoping to take some summer classes, but I do not want to make things worse by rushing. I was not to worried about the walking or standing more of just lifting or turning pts. Any suggestions? --Angela

HI Angela. I am waiting for a surgery date myself but was told that if it is a lap RNY the 10# lifting restriction is only for 2-3 weeks so you should be ok for clinicals at the end of 3 weeks. If you have open RNY it would more likely be 6 weeks. By that time, you will probably be down about 30# or so and will probably feel like you are floating through the hallways! Best wishes for you!! Jennie aka OcutieObiggsie

Thanks Jennie, I see the surgeon on the 20th of April, so I guess he will tell me which is best for me. But the time frame helps a lot. I was worried that I would not be able to take any summer classes, but I guess having three months off would not be so bad. --Angela

What clinical are you starting???? During a 2 week break before I started my Peds rotation I had an emergency gall bladder surgery(on a Thursday), my doc let met go back to school on that ( following Tuesday)!!!! but not to work. I still had a lifting restriction. I talked to my instructor and she gave me all the bigger, walking, talking children, that needed no lifting and my classmates were great also. It may just work for you too. Sorry that was kinda long, huh???????? Best Wishes. Simone

Welcome Angela, if I were you I would take the summer off. As much from not knowing what you will be able to eat and drink as from the lifting aspect. I just graduated 3 years ago so I remember what it was like trying to eat during school. Also, some people arevery tired after surgery, not telling you one way or the other, but REALLY think about it. If you paid for those classes and couldn't take them you would be out all the money then trying to get them rescheduled for the fall. Good luck either way HW 250 @ 5'6" tight 22's SW 235 CW 168 size 6 jeans GW surgeon 165 GW mine 154 "Normal BMI"

Thanks everyone for your kind words. My clinical is Cardio & Hemodynamic monitoring and the other is just a lecture no clinical with it. So I think most of the problem would be with turning pts not so much lifting them in and out of bed. I don't know. I am really thinking of taking the summer off, but I also want to get these these classes behind me. I go to see the surgeon this Thursday and I will discuss it with him as well. Thanks everyone, and keep me in your prayers. --Angela

Angela, I agree with Sandra. I would take the summer off. Ask the doctor about his restrictions and then consider the other issues, food, strength, fatigue, etc....School is stressful enough and so is surgery, I wouldn't combine them. Take care, Robin