Question:
How soon should an open RNY return to work as a nurse?
I'm an RN doing private-duty nursing for a heavy patient. and am pre-op. My main concern is bending down, stretching, straining post-op. I've asked my surgeon and the office surgical coordinator and have not gotten an answer yet. What can I tell my supervisors at this point? — Postop_nurse (posted on June 21, 2003)
June 21, 2003
I'm sure they'll say "no heavy lifting for 6-8 weeks", and I'm
sure your employer will expect your physicial limitations in writing. I'd
see if your boss has a form that can be filled out, and turn it in to your
surgeon in regard to postop expectations - then you'll get an answer for
sure. Of course, it may need to be adjusted based on your postop course.
— bethybb
June 21, 2003
My wife, who is an RN and had a lap RNY, just returned to work last night.
She's on light duty right now. Her surgeon is not clearing her to lift
patients for another month...JR
— John Rushton
June 21, 2003
Sorry - forgot to say my wife had her surgery on 5/6/03...JR
— John Rushton
June 21, 2003
6-8 weeks for sure! If your supervisors are aware of what you had done,
they will know that this is mandatory for total recovery.
— ZZ S.
June 21, 2003
I was told by my doctor, if you do any lifting 6 weeks she said after 6
weeks its fine. I work with pts. doing home health.
— Joan W.
June 21, 2003
The barriatric coordinator at my surgeon's office is an RN and also had the
surgery a year ago. She had lap RNY and took 12 weeks off due to the
lifting and physical demands.
— Happy I.
June 21, 2003
I am A RN who works in Labor and Delivery 12 hrs I justwent back to work
Tuesday which was 6 weeks and 5 days post op We were so busy That day was
the worse we have some very large pts that need help lifting due to spinals
and epidurals. I went back early as I had run out of time i would take off
at least 8 weeks The first night after i work I cried as I was exhausted!I
then worked Wed which was bad also We had no break at all I did not leave
until 900 pm both nights after starting at 0700 am. The first day is the
worse then ahhhhhhhhhh it is down hill I have worked yesterday which was ok
and am on my way now ! GOOD LUCK!!!!!PS_There ia another RN I worked with
and she took off 12 weeks!
— andrearnc
June 21, 2003
I, too, am a nurse. Surgeons usually clear you to return from all regular
activities 6 weeks post op. I, however, took a full 8 weeks off so that I
was feeling my best.
— Lynette B.
June 22, 2003
I'm an RN and am 5 1/2 weeks out. I had Lap RNY and I am still
experiencing pain and pulling in my right abdomen. I had originally
planned to be back to work in 4 weeks. It was extended to 6. I see my
surgeon on Tuesday and am asking to extend it to 8 weeks. I am in Home
Health but I need to be able to bed and reach which still causes pain at
this point. Best of luck in your journey!
— adeas
June 23, 2003
I went back to work 12 days post-op open RNY, I am in management, and that
is the ONLY way I was able to go back so soon.
— Sherry P.
June 23, 2003
I went back to work 12 days post-op open RNY, I am in management, and that
is the ONLY way I was able to go back so soon. If I was a floor nurse it
would have been @ least 6 weeks. Sherry Peoples RN
— Sherry P.
June 24, 2003
I am an RN and I went back to work after 6 weeks and greatly regretted not
taking off 8 weeks. My stamina was not where ir needed to be, I hurt
terribly after a few hours and gave myself a hernia.
— **willow**
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