Are you a nurse? I am starting a support group for nurses that are contemplating, undergoing or are now 'old pro's' with their sleeves!

By way of introduction, my name is Jana & I live in the DFW area and am currently undergoing the approval process. I have been a RN for 38 years--18 years in Surgery & 18 years in Case Management & as a Manager for a major health plan carrier.

So feel free to jump on board!

Yes. I return to work two weeks after surgery. I will talk to my doc. Thx

RN here, for the past 5 years. Been in solid organ transplant, med/surg, cardiopulmonary stepdown/tele, and long term care. I've decided I'm kind of worn out on the bedside care and am finishing my BSN with an eye towards nurse practitioner, probably adult/geriatric care but I could change my mind about that. I had no previous experience in medical when I went into nursing, I was a graphic artist! I've always been interested in science and the body, though, so I am now 44 because I came into it all late.

I've spent my entire life heavy. ALL of it. I was a rolly polly little girl and never stopped aside from brief times that I starved myself. I have PCOS as well. I've gained and lost the same 50-75 pounds so many times I don't even want to think about it anymore. I don't want to be "the fat one" in the room or on the staff anymore. I don't want to have dementia patients asking me when my baby is due anymore. I don't want to be tired, sweating, and having my screaming joints fighting me while I'm running up and down halls to care for 30 patients anymore. Nope. I want to have a lean, healthy body, do things I've never done before because I never had the energy, become a nurse practitioner and deal more with pathophysiology, and finally enjoy some things I never have been able to. I know it will be plenty of work, but at least I will feel that I'm getting somewhere with it rather than it being temporarily lost and will come back with more fat buddies in a few months.

I'm scared about the surgery...I'm still in the paper-processing stage. And I know I will probably be a crying mess the morning of the surgery. But I do know this is my last chance of making a real, sustainable change in my health. Otherwise, here comes diabetes, arthritis, hip replacement, cardiac issues...you name it. I mean, I know we all die of something one day, but I'd like to have lived first!!

I'm currently at 268 pounds, 5 foot 4 inches. My highest has been 281. Here's hoping for a much healthier and happier future fpr all of us.

. I am hoping I can go back to work in 2 weeks, but I am not going to push myself, I learned a long time ago I come first before the job.

BAM! That is the truth! No one will take care of you in health care. You have to do it for yourself. People wonder where nursing attitudes sometimes come from...my gosh, we have to develop that kind of attitude just to survive in this racket! Take care of YOU.

BAM! That is the truth! No one will take care of you in health care. You have to do it for yourself. People wonder where nursing attitudes sometimes come from...my gosh' date=' we have to develop that kind of attitude just to survive in this racket! Take care of YOU.[/quote']

That's the truth!!

Well I am two weeks post op as of today. I went back to school last Thursday and it wiped me out. Thankfully I only have class once a week. I start my final clinical rotation in the NICU when I am 5 weeks post op. I have lost 34# since the start of this journey in January, with 24 in the past 24 days. Hoping to be down another 10-15 by the time I start my rotation. Ready to close the door on the nursing school journey, it has been blood sweat and tears to get here and I am ready to go into the next part of my life. I am just happy I can go into the next part of my journey a little healthier.

Well I am two weeks post op as of today. I went back to school last Thursday and it wiped me out. Thankfully I only have class once a week. I start my final clinical rotation in the NICU when I am 5 weeks post op. I have lost 34# since the start of this journey in January' date=' with 24 in the past 24 days. Hoping to be down another 10-15 by the time I start my rotation. Ready to close the door on the nursing school journey, it has been blood sweat and tears to get here and I am ready to go into the next part of my life. I am just happy I can go into the next part of my journey a little healthier.[/quote']

I admire you for completing both difficult journeys at the same time

I admire you for completing both difficult journeys at the same time

Yeahhhhhh, my physician wanted me to wait until December after graduation. I took a pretty big risk, and I knew it. I wasn't concerned about being ready for clinicals come time, with how crappy I have felt in my past few clinicals, I knew if I had any loss that the energy gained from that loss would help to make up for the decrease in energy from surgery. I honestly had to weigh my decision on risking having a complication and putting my nursing career on hold, but I had more of a fear of getting a job after graduation and than having surgery, a complication and loosing said job. I had, had surgery before and knew I bounced back pretty quick so I was hoping for a repeat. I have been very lucky in my recover, I have been up and going and getting my fluids in since day 4. Hitting protein goals, I am still getting tired mid afternoons but the days are getting easier. I also can't believe how much easier things are with 24# gone in the past 3.5 weeks. And the best part.... as much as I hate my lovely white scrubs.... They are SO much baggier :-)

Hi all from Canada

Have been an RN for almost 30 years now, have done EVERYTHING from outpost nursing to occupational health to surgical step down to long term care and currently on dialysis and loving it. Got my sleeve January 7 with Dr. Liza Pompa in Tijuana (after a LOT of research and personal testimony from friends) and couldn't be happier with it! Had a smooth recovery, have had steady weight loss (currently down to 144 lbs from an all time high of 226) and although I am currently on a bit of a plateau have never felt better. Off my asthma medication, no longer require allergy medication. Have separated from my husband of 25 years (which was at least 10 years coming) but feel strong enough now to deal with it. I am enjoying the extra energy, the freedom with food (I can eat whatever I want in small amounts...but my body is telling me what it needs) and the appreciative looks I am getting. Most of all knowing I am greatly decreasing my health risks (my brother had an MI at age 38, has had 2 stents placed since then and awaiting another), which is why I seriously contemplated the surgery to begin with...scared the crap out of me to see my brother and his pallor, hear his wheeze.

Found LIMARP to be a very clean, we'll organized and competently staffed facility, would recommend to anyone. No regrets. Wish I had done it sooner.

Sacramento RN, surgery scheduled for October 1.

Hi everyone, I am a labor and delivery RN and having VSG tomorrow! I have been a nurse for 5 years and actually worked on the bariatric unit! Now it's my turn! How did you do going back to work and getting your protein in? I have a hard time getting breaks some nights and I'm worried about that.....it just needs to be my priority! What tips and tricks do u have and send me some inspiration!!

Congratulations! I work in a Same Day Surgery Center/PACU. I only took one week off from work. I sip my protein shake all morning. No problems. You'll do great!

Hi. Ive been a bsn since 1980. I worked Picu for 10 years. Some registry. Then school nurse x 18 years. Nicer schedule with kids. I bailed out for early retirement as finally diagnosed bpd emerged. Having poor cognitive skills and even poorer memory. Waiting on ssdi approval. Five hosp in last year. Ugh. now i want to take care of me and lose it and make it stay away.

Hi everyone, I am a labor and delivery RN and having VSG tomorrow! I have been a nurse for 5 years and actually worked on the bariatric unit! Now it's my turn! How did you do going back to work and getting your protein in? I have a hard time getting breaks some nights and I'm worried about that.....it just needs to be my priority! What tips and tricks do u have and send me some inspiration!!

Worked in a Bariatric Unit!!!!!

I got into nursing school!!! I start January 13th!

Does anyone have some recommendations for what to pack for a 12 hour shift?