jesbowne

OH, but I forgot to mention....I have been walking 2 miles EVERYDAY...no exceptions, no excuses!! So that is a positive thing I think.

I'm not sure when the official weekly "check-in" time is but as of this morning I am 232. I'm not sure with just 2 days left that I'm gonna make it to 230 but I'm not banded yet and I still sometimes eat whatever I want....shame on me, I know.

Well, I'm just throwing this out there. I wish more people would post their before and after pictures even if you aren't very far along. I'm not proud of how I look right now but let's be real, I got myself here and it's up to me to get myself healthier. I am still pre-surgery but I am vowing right now to post an updated photo of me every month even if I haven't changed much. Who else is up for the challenge?

Thanks for all the kind words...I know in reality it will fly by but it sure seems like forever. I'm sure I will get more answers too next week during my consult.

Hey king0907....go to the groups menu and you can search for it there

Well I go for my consult next week but I did talk to the coordinator at the office. It is roughly taking 30 days to hear from insurance which puts me into October. I was hoping that would be my surgery month. However, she said there are several other appts and such to get through after insurance approval she said the soonest I would be able to have surgery is looking like first week of November. I know it will go by quickly as the 6 months did but man it seems so far away!!!! Been working on this it seems all year!!

Hi Heather....hey I was thinking that GERD was a co-morbidity and you would think the RA would be....duh!! Stupid insurance companies. Anyway, it's nice to meet both of you...hopefully we will get some more nurses to follow.

Well, the book I was reading from my coordinator suggests 4 weeks with no heavy lifting or straining....hmmm, that may be a challenge. I'm going to ask my surgeon next week and see what he thinks. He works in the same OR as me so he will have a good understanding of my responsibilities. I'm not real particular about telling people...it doesn't bother me near as much as being fat. I look forward to the support I have gained so far from my co-workers and friends.

Welcome! I just recently found this site myself after talking to my dietician about support groups. I have learned a lot of great information and look forward to the support I gain after surgery. I have my consult on Sept 6 and then have to wait for insurance approval so I'm hoping for surgery in October which is my birthday so "Happy Birthday to Me!"

OK. I posted a new discussion on the Nurses Group. I figure there are enough of us and we can bond as a group and become each other's support. It is really an "introduction" post but feel free to post any other topics or discussions as well. Or, start your own topic. Looking forward to "meeting" everyone.

So, there are actually quite a few nurses that have been (or are going to be) banded so I thought I would be the first to post a thread here. Let's start by introducing ourselves here. Name: Jess Where you work (unit): Operating Room When were you banded/when you plan to be banded: Hopefully October Anything else you want us to know: I LOVE photography and scrapbooking/crafting. I have 2 kids 11 & 13 and have been happily married for almost 16 years (November).

We definitely need to utilize the nurse forum.....everyone join!! Thanks for all the advice and comments...and good luck to all of us! NURSES DEFINITELY ROCK!!! Alanna - LOVE your name......my daughter's name is Alana (pronounced uh-lay-nuh).

Name, real or screen~jesbowne/Jess Goal weight for August 31st~ below 230 Weight on August 1st~ 232.2 Age~ 37 Dietary goal for August~ Protein shake for lunch Exercise goal for August~ walk 2 miles EVERYDAY Personal goal for August~ REALLY make more changes before surgery Date banded~ NOT yet....but still want to join Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 15.2 since Seminar in February What is your favorite place to travel?~ Door County, Wisconsin....would MOVE there if my husband would come along....LOL!! I just joined this board and I have my surgery consultation on Sept 6. I need some motivation so although it is a little late, I decided to join the challenge. Thanks - Jess

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I go to my consultation on the 6th and am hoping my insurance approves quickly so I can move forward. Good luck and keep us all updated!!

There is a nurse group on here but no one has posted on it...I joined but was disappointed that no one uses it I'm hoping to only be off a week myself but I do a lot of positioning help in the OR and just pulling/pushing the beds may be of some concern to the surgeon....we shall see.

So I am in the final stages of the pre-op process and was wondering if there are many nurses who have had this surgery. Specifically, OR nurses.....I'm curious as to how long you had to be off work. I know they say it depends on what you do for a living as to how long you will be off work and I'm trying to plan my time off and such. Just curious Jess

When I went to my PCP, he was VERY encouraging. I am almost 38 and the only health concern I have is my obesity. When I told him what I was wanting he told me it was best to get the surgery before developing diabetes and hypertension (as they both run in my family) than to wait until I'm older. He was very supportive through the whole process adn let me tell you....I have WAY more than 30-40 pounds to lose. I can't imagine he would be supportive if that was the case....I think YOU have to make yourself successful. The receptionist at my PCP office recently had the surgery and she as well has plenty to lose and he was the one that referred her to the surgery.

I have my last dietician appointment tomorrow where (I'm hoping) we will discuss the pre-op diet. I was wondering what people's saving grace was during this time and if there is anything specific I should ask about? I know every surgeon is different and have certain preferences but I know that the 10-day pre-op diet is important and HARD!! I've already converted to a protein shake at lunch (mostly due to time constraints at work) so it hopefully won't be too bad. My surgeon consultation is in 2 weeks and from there I will find out if my insurance approves the procedure and when my surgery will be. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Bree, It seems you and I have a lot in common. My consultation is Sept 6. I am just finishing up my 6 months of dietician/PCP visits myself. I'm hoping my insurance approves within a week but the office said it has been taking around 30 days. I'm thinking I will have my surgery in October which is my birthday so "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!" My mother and I do not have the best relationship either but I have plenty of support in my husband and friends. I am 37 (almost 38) so I'm hoping to be at my goal by the time I'm 40. So, maybe we will have surgery around the same time and can update each other. Good luck and happy losing! Jess

I have completed my 6 months of Dr visits with PCP and dietician and have my consultation next month. I can't wait to get through that part and then I'll have a waiting game for insurance approval. I have read many inspirational posts here and hope to learn a lot during my journey.

I have my consultation scheduled for Sept 6. I have gone through the 6-months worth of doctor visits and dietician appointments (insurance requirement) so I'm ready to move to the next step. I was wondering if there are any specific questions I should ask my surgeon that I may have not already thought of. Also, if there are any OR nurses who have had the surgery, how long were you off work? I look forward to having my surgery and starting this new journey. Jess

Hello everyone! I am at the end of the pre-surgery hoop-jumping process. My insurance required me to go to 6 months worth of dietician appointments and primary care physician visits. I have had all 6 of both and have my pre-op consultation with the surgeon scheduled. I'm very excited to be closer to changing my life forever. At the same time, I'm terrified. I joined this website to gain extra support and have a place to go to where everyone understands what I'm going through. Jess