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!

Hello everyone! My name is Mary and I live in Nj . I'm an Rn for 17 yrs . I've worked in the ER since I was 17 yrs as an orderly then worked my way up . I stayed there up until 9 yrs .I did mother baby for a few yrs then I found my "thing" I work for an IV infusion company and I love it!! ( I don't want to jinks myself) I was sleeved on Jan 24 and I feel pretty good . The nausea was unbearable in the beginning but it has subsided . It's so nice to have this support group . Looking forward to losing weight with you all

Evening all, My name is Felicia and I am a LPN currently in the process of enrolling in RN school. I have worked in med-surg, rehab and currently the Medical Manager at a correction Facility. My new life begins on Feb 19th,@ 6:30 am in Lexington, KY St. Joseph East Women's Hospital with Dr. Steiner... It has been five long years trying to decide on WLS, but I finally made up my mind. The band wasn't an option for me nor the RNY. So when the sleeve came on the scene I started to give it some serious thought, and that is what brings me here today. Hello to my sister nurses.

Good luck! I am an ER/PACU Nurse also' date=' I am just worried about dehydration issues at work. I have to start really getting used to drinking fluids. I am taking off 4-6 weeks. I am afraid of returning to work too soon, then having to take time off again because I returned too soon. I am not worried about PACU days it's the ER days that scare me[/quote']

Has anyone ever considered asking a co-worker to pop in an IV and load you up with a bag of fluids? Im pre-op but fear dehydration and wonder if this is an option.... Lol... Do I sound crazy?

Hey all, my name is Kelly and I'm an RN on a surgical unit (med/surg but more surg then medical) I have been a nurse for 6 years and am getting sleeved on 2/5. I'm nervous about hydration once I get back to work because I know I don't drink enough now when I'm at work. I'm also nervous about having the surgery in cases like this I think ignorance is bliss. Our unit just recently started to care for sleeve patients post operatively and most do great others I've been only have had issues with nausea. I think knowing to much is getting my mind racing and I'm kind of freaking out knowing my surgery is a week away.....but I know that my surgeon knows what he is going I did alot of research on him before choosing but my nerves are still getting the best of me. Did anyone else have the same issue preop?

I'm a Happily sleeved registered nurse from NJ. I currently work in med-surg and pediatrics at a small community hospital. I set a lot of career and weight loss goals for myself to accomplish over this year of 2013. I'm hoping to be able to find a job in an ER soon, it's something I've been interested in for a while!!

No you sound like Nurse to me. If my manager wasn't such a Witch I would most certainly do it.

I have been an RN for 14 years. Initially working med/surgical floor, then with a neurosurgeon as his nurse, was offered an opportunity to work as a field case manager for 5 years. I am now working as a nurse case manager for a company telephonically. I solely work from home with a rare field appointment. The benefit is when I have my sleeve I can hopefully only miss a few days of work. I had pneumonia for 6 weeks last year with no time lost from work. My computer can go anywhere as well as the work blackberry. (some good and bad working at home).

I have met my insurance requirements for the weight loss program with my PCP. I am now completing the required classes with my one time required support group meeting on 2/7/13. I have the psych visit on 2/13/13 then my MD will submit to my insurance. I have spoken several times with my insurance and have been told it does cover WLS. My MD has also spoken with the insurance to confirm their requirements.

Am I nervous, yes very. When I went to my first class, I thought what am I doing to myself. Then I looked in the mirror and saw the obesity issues I have been dealing with for years. I too have been battling obesity my entire life, yo yo dieting. When phenphen was out oh boy did I drop the weight and thought this is the answer. Then the cardiac issues were identified in many people so phenphen was no more then my weight ballooned. In 2004, Atkins was the tool used losing down to the 185, boy was I thinking this was it for me if I could just reach a goal. Tragedy hit in my life and the Atkins when out like all the rest for me.

Good luck to everyone and I really look forward to this group. Would love to hear from some of the "seasoned sleevers" out their with their success stories and tips.

Funny isn't it. We always take care of ourselves last. I work in pediatrics and often have to speak with obese kids. I always wonder what good I am doing when I... myself...am obese? Who would listen to me? I am scared, but I am far more scared about developing diabetes.... watching my BP continue to go up. I am hoping we can all support each other until we are healthy and on our way to the life we all deserve.

Hi! I'm an ER nurse in the Seattle area. I'm finishing my pre-op stuff the end of this month and hope to get approval and have surgery early April. I'd take sooner if it works out that way. I've been debating on the band vs sleeve since I started this in November, but I think I've decided I'm going with the sleeve. So far pre-op I've lost 25 pounds I'm hoping I get back to my post-partum weight before my last nutrition appt (yes- I was one who weighed way less after giving birth than before!). I'm not telling anyone about this yet - except hubby of course. I'm pigheaded so will be back at work in a week (mostly a paperwork kind of job here), but will probably tell my boss what I'm doing before I go out in case i need longer off. She'll be supportive but worried.

Nursemeg89 - we're about to start a residency for the ER if you want to move to Seattle!

Today is my sleeve day hugging the children then getting prepared to go to the hospital.

In staying positive making this day a sleeve Party y'all.

Hi

Back again after a bit of an absence...had my sleeve with Dr. pompa in Tijuana on Jan. 7 and I am feeling fantastic! Started this process at 202 lbs. and currently at 169 - haven't seen this number on the scale for a few years! I think I have had a relatively uneventful recovery, am currently working on soft foods etc. Dr. pompa advocates a slower progression with diet, spent 2 weeks on clears until able to easily take in 2 litres or more a day, then 2 weeks on full fluids with protein shales, then soft foods etc. I think that is the way to go...did not feel hungry or deprived until about the 1 month mark, then started feeling a little hungry in the a.m. I took a little more than 6 weeks off work and am glad I did. Probably could have gone back after 4 or 5 but that would have been pushing it. Take the time off, nurses - we've earned it. First day back to work (dialysis) I found very tiring but just kept my drink bottle close and sipped every chance I got.

Good luck!

I am here in Tijuana now had my surgery yesterday what doctor Garcia the whole team is fabulous

I hope all has gone well for you!! Congrats on your surgery.

Congratulations Nurseghana!!!! Rest up as you start your new life