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!

I was just sleeved 4/20, , had no problems! I work on a busy surgical floor, took one week off, did wait until 1week follow up appt and told doc I was returning. I use common sense, energy level is great, walking a lot and not thinking about eating like I was the first week off. Added meal reminder to smart phone when it vibrates I eat. I keep water bottles hidden on my COW. IT'S feasible.

Just checking in - had my sleeve on the 24th. Not going to lie - it was rough and I was in a VERY bad mood the whole first week. I pretty much hate everybody who says it is just "uncomfortable" and their hunger "instantly disappeared". Still in a moderate amount of pain and all of my arthritis and back issues that helped qualify me for the surgery have been exascerbated by the whole experience. I also hate my surgeon who is the strictest with the clear liquids for 2 weeks then 2 weeks with protein shakes and soup - pieces then pureed for another month! Thats right 2 months before soft food!

Just checking in - had my sleeve on the 24th. Not going to lie - it was rough and I was in a VERY bad mood the whole first week. I pretty much hate everybody who says it is just "uncomfortable" and their hunger "instantly disappeared". Still in a moderate amount of pain and all of my arthritis and back issues that helped qualify me for the surgery have been exascerbated by the whole experience. I also hate my surgeon who is the strictest with the clear liquids for 2 weeks then 2 weeks with protein shakes and soup - pieces then pureed for another month! Thats right 2 months before soft food!

Thats soup with NO pieces lol!! See i'm in a MUCH better mood!!

Hey everyone! I just got my results for my 3 month labs and they are looking awesome! My protein,

b, etc...are all normal and my A1c is downtown 5.5!!!!! Only wacky thing was my thyroid is a little hyper but just barely so we will recheck in 6 weeks. So happy with this decision and down 56 pounds so far!

I've been a nurse for 28 years and am planning to have a sleeve in August or September. I've gone through the entire pre-op work up and consultations and my chart was sent to insurance for review this past week. I'm trying to imagine how to keep the momentum up for the next few months until surgery. Any ideas? I'm making some changes now so it won't be such a shock to my system at surgery time.

How did you guys deal with all the patients in your mind that you have seen come in with complications. I am scheduled tomorrow and all my patients are popping in my head that either had complications or gained all their weight back.

Ugh! Nurses week is killing me! Candy, food, all these things I can't have! Lol. This pre op liquid diet is a booger! How's everyone handling it??

How did you guys deal with all the patients in your mind that you have seen come in with complications. I am scheduled tomorrow and all my patients are popping in my head that either had complications or gained all their weight back.

Omg, me too! I keep dreaming about them and its really freaking me out!!

Hey @@Steph77498 my work week starts tonight... but what makes nurses week worse is, last week was the 5th Anniversary of the hospital I work at. So there was cake a goodies last week. Since I am well known to HR and Admin, as a clinical leader in the ICU and having to go through them for my short term disability claim AND being very vocal as to why I had to self pay this surgery, as it was not covered by the insurance they provide, but they penalized me on my insurance premiums, based on my biometric results, I pay a higher premium (about $100 a month). I looked at the Admin's handing out cake and Cookies and asked for something healthy... cause you know this isn't on any healthy diet.... and just walked away.

I do wish all the nurses out there, a hearty Good Job!!! and we, as a profession, gladly accept the positive recognition and appreciation!!!

My boss brought yogurt, but that freshly popped popped popcorn drove me nuts!

I think about how much worse the complications of type 2 diabetes and hypertension are, and it helps put my first month postop issues in perspective. Had sleeve on 4/16, down 23 lbs. B/p now 110/70. Start back to work tomorrow.

Hello. My name is Melissa. I am an LVN specialize in geriatrics. ...brand new here 6 days post op. And I think all I should be doing is sip sip sip right? Start day 7 tomorrow and I think full liquid. Im not sure really what im supposed to be drinking. Pointers would be accepted. Also...not sure how to do my profile on here. I tried adding a photo but nope...wouldnt load. So...here's where i stand. May 11, 2015 sleeve done...wt 263#. Today wt 247# that was quite impressive but kinda feel like im cheating or something. I know im not its hard really. I am having trouble getting 64oz down and meeting protein goals. Help!!! Please

@@NursesXL I had my surgery March 2, 2015. I think you are doing good, for so soon post op. Remember your stomach is still swollen from your surgery, so your pouch is smaller. I think it took me a good week to actually reach my goal on Fluid. I would strongly find a good Protein shake that agrees with you... I drink Premier Protein chocolate, it has 20 grams of protein in each shake, so three is about all you need a day, plus it adds to your fluid count too. I am 11 weeks post op and eating pretty much regular food, always eating my protein first.

Congrat's on going the journey towards a healthier you!!!!

How's everyone doing? I am feeling really good now. My brother had a 70th birthday party last week and it was so nice to receive a ton of compliments, enjoy the really amazing food, and not have to worry about putting on 5 pounds... thank you sleeve!

Hooray! So glad I found this thread! I've been a NICU-RN for 7+ years in Santa Cruz, Ca and my surgery is coming up 6/15/15! I've only read through a few of the 42 pages of this thread on my iPhone;-P but there seems to be quite a large variance of how quickly people bounce back. My surgeon says I'll be back to work in 2 weeks and that sounds absolutely absurd to me! I'm planning on being out at least 6! Sitting at a desk for 8 daytime hours is one thing but There's no such thing as light duty on 12 hour nocs! At least my co workers are awesome and supportive, I just can't imagine being up for a code 2 weeks out!!! Any insight? I'm also worried about the water intake. I drink easily 3-5 liters a day and I'm worried only being able to sip I'm going to feel extremely parched!

Hooray! So glad I found this thread! I've been a NICU-RN for 7+ years in Santa Cruz, Ca and my surgery is coming up 6/15/15! I've only read through a few of the 42 pages of this thread on my iPhone;-P but there seems to be quite a large variance of how quickly people bounce back. My surgeon says I'll be back to work in 2 weeks and that sounds absolutely absurd to me! I'm planning on being out at least 6! Sitting at a desk for 8 daytime hours is one thing but There's no such thing as light duty on 12 hour nocs! At least my co workers are awesome and supportive, I just can't imagine being up for a code 2 weeks out!!! Any insight? I'm also worried about the water intake. I drink easily 3-5 liters a day and I'm worried only being able to sip I'm going to feel extremely parched!

I'm also a NICU nurse. I originally took 3 weeks off. I tried to return to work, but after 1 shift I ended up back in the hospital with dehydration. We cannot have even WATER anywhere near patient care areas, and you know a NICU nurse spends her entire shift in the patient care area! My doc gave me an additional 3 weeks disability so I was off for a total of 6 weeks. I still didn't have my energy back so it was hard, my body still adjusting to consuming only about 500 calories a day, but it got better.

A year later, now that the weight is gone i have more energy than I've had in decades! No more BP meds, lipid panel normal, no more snoring/sleep apnea, my life is very different, but in a great way!

Feel free to private message me if you have more questions or just want to chat.