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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).

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Hi Jess!

I am Karen. Getting banded Aug 27th.

Yikes!!! Still have to work tomorrow...protein drink and all.

Where I work-Tele stepdown unit

Anything else you want to know- I love photography too....an my beloved Beatles....

I have one kid 23 and two four legged children "Lucky and Abbey"

Rule one I found out: Protein drinks-make sure lid is on before you shake!!!

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Hi, I'm Heather. I work on a Rehab Unit in a nursing home, short term stay s/p joint surgeries, falls/fx, s/p CVA and general reconditioning. Its a 20 bed unit (soon to be 25 beds come next month). I'm an evening shift RN on the floor.

I am just starting the process to get banded. I am at the border line for whether or not my insurance will cover and don't even have my seminar until next month. I'll be seeing Dr O'Malley here in Rochester NY, a leader in the area. If I fall into where my insurance won't pay, I am considering doing self pay in Mexico.

Other stuff about me, well I am married and have a 17 yr old step son, and 2 boys age 20 and 23. My oldest and his wife live with us with my 6 month old grandson, and my 20 yr old lives here while he goes to comm college. I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, GERD and bipolar type 2 (unfortunately for all those dx none are considered co-morbidities for my insurance, naturally!

It's nice to know there are other nurses here!

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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.

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GERD actually is considered a comorbidity but just not for my insurance company. DJD is a comorbidity for a lot of companies, but not mine. Of course they don't consider RA as obesity related since it's autoimmune, but all I know is that if I weighed less I would definitely feel less pain!

I left a message with my PCP today to ask for a referral for a sleep study. That's the only other thing my insurance will cover that I haven't been tested for. It's unclear if I even have symptoms because my husband has severe sleep apnea and uses CPAP which is kind of noisy, plus my pug bunks with us and he definitely snores...loudly! LOL :)

But I agree-----stupid insurance companies! Argh! I know it would help my pain so much which would allow me to decrease some of my *expensive* meds! Oh well..........apparently, while my insurance company *does* require going through the weight loss program they don't require the 5% weight loss. So it'll be a fine line!

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Hi everyone!

My name is Jerilyn and will be going for my seminar on Sept 10th. I work nights as a back up supervisor on a busy subacute rehab unit. As I like to tell people, insurance won't keep them in the hospital and they are to sick to go home. I have done the herbalife,ww,optifast diets all with some success. Have had 2 back surgeries and one knee. Not gonna lie...I am very scared...esp since I have taken care of residents who have had sleeves done...etc...with complications...also, I was soooo sick with my last back surgery...OK enough rambling for now!

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Hello all.

My name is Lydsss, I am one of the nurse supervisors at a nursing home in Toronto, I am a single mom to a 7yr old boy. I am just starting the process; having trouble choosing bet. 2 clinics, the first one I like because the surgeon is well known and very experienced, the other clinic I like because they offer life time after care; but their chief surgeon has 4yrs of experience. Also debating bet. the band and the sleeve, but not comfortable with the idea of having a portion of my stomach removed, sounds more scary then the band (my opinion at least lol), but less maintenance then the band.

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There is always one of the two that makes you feel more confident and relaxed. Go with that one. As a nurse just let yourself relax and ask yourself which one makes you feel like you are in the best hands. then you will get your answer.

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Hi everyone, I'm new to lapbandtalk and so happy to see a nurse's group. I'm a new nurse (LVN) but have worked in health care for over 20 years. (CNA, MA) I work in long term care, 50 beds; we do some rehab, hoping to do much more! I'm not banded yet, but my surgeon is submitting paperwork now, as I'm past the psych eval, nutritionist, 1st consult with surgeon. I hope my ins. co approves! I'm married and live in Northern Calif (Modesto area), have 4 (grown) step children, 4 grand children. I love gardening, my dogs, my husband, my family...I'm trying to love exercise ;) I'm hoping to find some great in-person support in our (rural) area. Thanks for creating this group! :)

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Hi, my name is Annette, I'm from Florida, I've been a RN for 28 years mostly in pediatrics, now I'm a school nurse(Love it!) :D

I am self pay for the band(my insurance co. doesn't cover weight loss surgery at all!!) and surgery is 12/18/2012.

I've had 13 knee surgeries (over 30 years)

I am a widow with 1 son (24) who lives with me. I enjoy going to Jaguar games even though we're in last place, also love dogs, kids and going to the movies.

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Hi everyone!

I am an RN and I work for a skilled nursing facility! Nice to see a group of "nurse" banders:)

Just had my surgery done on 12/21/12!

I am a wife and a mother of 2 wonderful little boys!

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Hello Everyone, So nice to see a RN group here.

My name is Stephanie. I am a NICU RN in Colorado.

Mom of 3 boys (ages 1.5-10).

I was banded in Nov 2009 with my husband. I had a pregnancy in between than and now but still reached my 2nd goal of 175. Now I'm looking forward to losing the rest :)

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Hi!

My name is Amelia and I am a NICU nurse. I am having surgery on 8/14/13. A little nervous, but excited! Any tips or suggestions?

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My name is Stephanie and I'm a labor and delivery nurse. I love my job and bringing babies into the world. I have 2 kids, 13 and 17 and an awesome husband. I'm getting banded in December 2013 and I'm so excited. Yesterday at the waterpark with the kids I had my first NSV and I haven't even got the band yet! I was sitting there thinking "this is the last summer I will wear a SWIM DRESS!!!" I may never wear a bikini and I don't even care about, even though I do rock the swim dress!! LOL! I've already done so much research I could probably do the surgery and open my own clinic. Sometimes it doesn't help being a nurse ! :P

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Hi everyone! I'm Sarah from central Illinois. I've been an RN for 9.5 years, the majority spent in cardiology, the last 3 in cardiac intensive care. I love critical care. :) I'm a mom of two (13 year old son, 7 year old daughter) and I've been happily married to my husband, Bill, for 8 years. I was just recently banded on 9/24/13. The biggest struggle I've had so far is trying to meet my dietary and Fluid requirements while at work! But I'm find ways to make it work, and my coworkers are awesome and VERY supportive in my journey!

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    • 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. 💜
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      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!
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    • 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. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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