Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I'm not a nurse but I am in health care. I'm a medical coder, so from reading charts and having alot of medical knowledge, it may have pushed me a little more towards getting the surgery. When I see patient charts (on a daily basis) that are extremely over weight, suffering from co-morbidities and on tons of medications and they are only in their 40's or 50's it's really frightening. I see them getting CABG's or I see that they are on dialysis and this scares the hell out of me, I don't want to be there one day because of something I did to myself.

From having both of my parents die too young from diseases that could have been avoided was also another big push in this direction. My mother was in a nursing home at 52 wearing a diaper, paralyzed on one side from strokes, she had diabetes and early stage dementia, all caused by years of eating garbage, being morbidly obese and smoking. Suffering in a nursing home for 5 years at that age is not the way to go. My father was always sick from years of having a terrible diet, drinking and not controlling his high blood pressure. Having a massive heart attack at 67 and having it cause end stage renal failure and dying 8 months later just seems too young for me and something I want to avoid, if I can.

So to me, having the medical backround and knowledge of the procedure did help me make the decision to do this. I'm actually surprised more people in the medical field don't do it. From seeing first hand the damage the weight and unhealthy lifestyle can to do a body, it's a wonder more of us don't get scard straight, or scared skinny... Knowing what this procedure can do and how it's done and all that other stuff was enough for me to get up and do it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am also a nurse,,ER. I think the band in our view point is relatively safe proceedure and most of know the surgeons. I would like to know how nurses do as far as changing eating habits. Shoveling food down in a 30 minute break can be tough with the band,,,any one have troubles wth this?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Kim- I too am an er nurse and its hard making the time some nights to be like "ok I'm gonna go eat my dinner now", expecially last night when I had 2 cprs (both survived, yay!) A near delivery, and an intubation hold...so sometimes I set an alarm on my phone at the desk and when it goes off if I can get away I run and try to take at least 15 min...otherwise I hit the snoose button and when it goes off in 10 more min I can normally run then...my co workers think I go to text by bf bc his ring tone is the same, but hey...whatever works. I have also learned that after the smokers go out for their 10 min break and leave me and one other nurse in the er that its time for my 10 min break...and since some find a way to go out 10 times a shift if I eat 1/10th my dinner at a time it gets done :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think as nurses we suffer from a lot of dysfunctional backgrounds making us the ideal caregivers. Most of the nurses I know are people pleasers and put others needs first over our own. As someone else said we understand it's the least extreme of the weight loss surgeries with a very good outcome. We're the worst when it comes to "Do as I say, not as I do." I think anyway. Nice to meet you all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

While Im not a nurse I do dispatch for an ambulance company =P and before that I was a 911 Central dispatcher for neighboring county sheriff's department. Public Service is the name of the game, where shift work is part of life, overtime is abundant, working holidays is usually a must, social lives are a bit absent at times, and family are always getting told "im sorry I wish I could but I gotta go into work tonight". I work graves for the most part and 12 hr shifts are long time to sit stationary. When you are unable to get breaks to leave property you are stuck with *drum roll please* delivery! I think they have it as a requirement that if its delivery it cant be healthy =) So expensive too!

I was on the fluffy side coming into this career but I did tend to expand the fluffiness to a heff-ish state and now...full on heffer status =( I'm busy but never active....does jumping for the phone burn as many calories as a jumping jack? Just curious lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello fellow nurses, I am a detox nurse at a substance abuse facility in Chicago. I think nurses are high prone to gain lots of weight. High stress, long hours and a unhealthy diet of take-out and donuts. I work third shift (11pm-7:30am) and I gained tons of weight just eating on my shift. Night eating is the worst! I'm sceduled to get my band on 1/27 and am on day 10 of the pre-op diet. As nurses, it's common for us to care for others while ignoring our own needs.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a newer nurse and have been working in Outpatient Surgery at a hospital which is a Bariatric Surgey Center of Excellence. I have been on the chubby side my whole life, and even while being in the military for 10 years (not as a nurse), it was very hard for me to make weight every 6 months for weigh-in. I could pass the run portion of the 6 month physical fitness test with flying colors; but my weight, majority of the time, was either right on the line for "max weight" or well over. Now that I am in my mid 30's it is not as easy to lose the weight. Back to the nursing question- I had thought about Lap Band before but it was not until I started working at my current job did I decide to actually get it myself. Every week I have at least 6 or 7 "banders". I also talked to some of the surgeons on a regular basis.I then started doing my research, picked a surgeon, and finished all the pre surgery criteria and got approved. Now I just have to schedule my surgery, which I will do on tuesday. I believe that my knowledge and experience with patients who had the surgery was my deciding factor...........

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×