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!

@@elladvyne How's it going with the pre-op diet? Are you ready for your surgery?

Surgery tomorrow April 24,2015. Supposed to be there at 0800 at surgery at 10:00. Surgery will be worth it just to end this pre-op liquid diet!!

@@lynneanne Good luck tomorrow... looks like you are well on your way to success!!!

Good luck! My surgery was April 25th last year and I've never felt better. I can't relate to the liquid diet as it wasn't required by my surgeon, pre op. But it was required for 2-3 weeks (I don't remember which) post op. It was hard at the time but Ican barely remember it now. Keep that in mind when things get tough, soon it will all be a distant memory and you will be thinner and healthier. See you on the losers bench!

@defibvt@dsmith_rn Thank you both! Nervous right now, just want it over! I am a retired RN myself and I think I am dreading being in the hospital with all the disgusting germs almost as much as I am the surgery lol! My fellow nurses will know what I mean when I say that I hope my room got a good terminal clean before I roll in!

Hello Jana,

I'd love to join your support group. I've been an RN for 19 yrs. I've worked in med/surg/tele and also acute physical Rehab. Right now I'm a clinical data coordinator for a national cardiovascular registry. I was sleeved on 4/6/15. Almost 3 weeks out and on a full liquid diet (next week I start puree). I've lost 25 lbs since starting the pre-op liquid diet and 45lbs from my highest weight. I look forward to joining you and the others nurses joining the group.

@@LeeRN

How's it going? Your energy level will be low for awhile, just expect it. It may take up to a few months for your body to adjust to the low calorie intake. Hope your are healing rapidly, and feeling well!

@@lynneanne

How did it go yesterday? Hope you are feeling well. Check in when you get the chance!

Today is my one-year surgiversary! I'm celebrating with a tiny piece of sugar-free cake!

@@samuelsmom hi, pre-op diet was was tough. I really needed the extra calories. Today I'm on clears, I go in tomorrow at 08:30. I've got a bone broth in the slow cooker now for when I come home. How are you doing?

Hey, my name is Stephanie and I am a LPN in Oklahoma. I am having a sleeve done in may. I told a few coworkers, and some were supportive, but some couldn't hide their dismay. Anyone else experiencing any negative people trying to rain on their parades? Is it because they are nurses and have seen the possibilities and risks? I thought they would be supportive.

.... Anyone else experiencing any negative people trying to rain on their parades? Is it because they are nurses and have seen the possibilities and risks? I thought they would be supportive.

In my experience, some of them just enjoyed knowing they weren't the biggest in the group and were concerned with the change in group dynamics when *I* wasn't the biggest in the group anymore. Do your research, keep yourself safe, and focus on the goal.

@elladvyne Good Luck with your surgery! I am doing well though seem to be in a holding pattern now-- hopefully will break soon!

I will be sleeved June 16! I'm only planning to take 2 weeks off work. I'm also working the morning of my sleeve. Nurses week and I'm on the senate. How long did everyone take off work? I'm really hoping 2 weeks will be sufficient. I'm requesting light duty (mother baby or infusion) for the next 4 weeks. I'm also only 33% BMI so I don't think I it will take me as long to bounce back.

I think 2 weeks is wishful thinking. I took 6 weeks and barely felt ready to go back. Don't underestimate the extremely low energy you will feel as having to survive on only 300-600 calories a day in the early weeks until your body adjusts. I didn't get my energy back until around 3 months post op.

Congrats on your decision. You will have moments of "what the h*ll did I do to myself?" But in the end you will be so happy you did!

I took off 2 weeks and I suffered from a strep throat 2 days after I got home. I was so ready to go back to work. I work in an ICU, and my co-workers were more than helpful. I was so ready to go back to work... I never suffered from an energy drain since my surgery on March 2, 2015. If anything I feel more energized...

But walk walk walk, after your surgery... you'll feel so much better.