ShanRN

I'm glad you bumped this thread up. I definitely needed to read it First step is admitting you have a problem, right?

Also, Cheri.....I love reading your posts! It's encouraging to read the thoughts of someone that's had a few years dealing with all this. It gives me a light at the end of the tunnel on those nights when this whole thing feels overwhelming.

Oh I know, Ballermom.....I'm counting down the visits instead of the months because that seems like less time! I planned on taking 3 weeks to recover but I might do 4. I get 3 weeks of liquids and I'd like to have a good start on my soft diet before going back to work. If I'm going to have a bad time with food I'd like it to be at home and not while on the clock. I have enough problems finding time to eat so it will be one less thing to worry about.

Surgery is still very much possible. She'll just have to be diligent post op to watch for signs of infection. I find it odd that some surgeons would require reasonable A1Cs for this procedure. Part of the reason why I'm getting it is because I haven't been able to control my diabetes with the conventional methods!

LOL this is awesome.

I now have another NSV - buy some corduroy pants!

The FMLA paperwork will state the reason. I guess it depends on who processes FMLA requests? I had to take some for a leg injury last year and everything was handled through HR. When I called off, all I told the hospital was it was covered under FMLA. If I recall correctly, I didn't state the exact reason why I needed the time off. My doctor's office filled out the rest but I suppose it could be worded vaguely. "My patient is receiving surgery for a serious condition" or something along those lines. Either way, management never actually saw the paperwork. They simply received an email from the FMLA department stating that my leave was approved.

FMLA is FMLA. It doesn't matter if it's elective or not If it prevents you from doing your job safely, you're covered! You just have to watch how many weeks you take per calendar year. Hope this helps!

Hi, everyone! I knew there were some nurses hiding out on here I'm a peds hem/onc nurse and just started a 6 month diet. I'm hoping to get sleeved by mid July!

I would wait till you have a surgery date. I also work in a hospital and haven't decided if I'll reveal the reason for my leave. Once I'm approved, I'll choose a date 3 or 4 weeks in advance and go from there. It's covered by FMLA and legally I'm not required to divulge anything more than that

I started this and loved it.....till I broke my leg Stress fracture in my distal femur. 6 months later I'm still healing. It was so odd because I never got the slightest twinge while running/walking. I felt great! 3 days later I could barely walk lol

I'm hoping once I have surgery and my weight goes down I can restart this. I love running.

Smoke jars are awesome too! I smoked a pack a day. Everyday I didn't smoke I put 5 bucks into a savings account. Once I hit a year I went on vacation. It adds up! I had almost $2000.

Look at pictures of surgical complications due to smoking....that's all the incentive you need. I quit for a breast reduction in 2006. Nicotine might leave your body in 3 days but the physical effects of smoking take a while to heal. Wound dehiscence, infections, longer recovery time, more anesthesia complications - that was all I needed to hear before I quit cold turkey.

It sucked. I used two pieces of nicotine gum in the first 24 hours because I woke up and had a panic attack. No matter how you quit, it's going to suck. I didn't pick up a cigarette because I reminded myself if I caved, I'd have to go through all the misery all over again.

I quit in 2006. My surgery was in 2007 and I had no complications Haven't touched the stuff since. Think of it this way: even if you gain weight from quitting, you're in the process of getting weight reduction surgery. Perfect timing!

Make sure you aren't crushing extended release stuff. Most other meds should be okay. I find a spoonful of pudding, apple sauce, or yogurt works on my patients. Mary Poppins was right about the spoonful of sugar

We're on the same time frame! My first consultation is the day after yours I have to do a 6 month diet before I can get surgery so by this summer I should be on my way. I'm gonna try to be brave and post pics of my journey. Your video inspired me!