Hi my name is Leana. I am from Missouri and currently 267# and 5ft3in. I have been over weight my entire life but this is the heaviest I have ever been. My kids are 12, 11, and 10 so I can't even use that as an excuse for my weight anymore. I love food especially sweets and other carbs like breads. I've been an RN for 7 years so I know what I'm doing wrong I just don't have much will power. It's embarrassing to say I'm a nurse and yet I'm morbidly obese. I've just started my journey. I've met with my surgeon, dietitian, and councilor. I had a sleep study and attempting to cut out soda, alcohol, and drink more water. And of coarse exercise 30 min a day. Most of my family is over weight and don't think that surgery is the best option. I kind of feel alone at times with this, but I have made my decision. I am only 35 and allready have back issues that will require fusions in the future. I want to feel better physically and emotionally. I pray that I'm on the right track.

@@leana123@live.com,

I am so happy that you have made the decision to take care of yourself now. You are very young and have the opportunity to get your health back on track now before things get worse with your spine.

I am 51 and had I known that I would be successful with WLS I would have done this 15 years ago and saved my spine.

Next week I will have a 3 level cervical fusion with a 1 level Corpectomy done. I had a lumbar fusion done in 2001 so I know what I am in for and not looking forward to it.

Gastric bypass was the best thing I have ever done for myself! I am down over 100 lbs in just 7.5 months with only another 45 to go. I feel absolutely fantastic!

Next week I will have my spine surgery and I am bound and determined not to let it set me back.

As far as being an RN goes, the reality is you have been taking care of others and focused on them all this time. God bless our nurses! Now it is time for you to focus on becoming a healthier new you! You are very young and have many more years and many more patients who will need you to be healthy.

This is your time.

I wish you all the best with your upcoming WLS. Please let me know if there is anything you need or questions you have.

Take care of yourself!

Oh girl I know how you feel! I'm a nurse also and I hate to even tell my patients that they should eat better, I feel like such a hypocrite! We know the health risk, we know how to loose weight, we know the benefits of exercise, etc but it doesn't make it any easier to do just because we know the information! Stop beating yourself up and take care of you! Your not alone, there are a bunch of us on this site who feel the same way! I have so many people telling me that I just need to get serious about weight loss, that I can do it on my own and that I don't need surgery. Well if that were the case don't ya think I would have already done it! I'm a food addict, I need a little help!

Thanks for your comments. I do feel like I am doing the right thing.

How long do I have to be off work? I mainly sit at a desk all day

I'm going to take a week and one day off. My surgery is Monday and my follow up appointment is on the 8th so I guess I'll go back the 9th if I feel up to it. I really have to be back by the 12th or there will only be one nurse in the building that does my job and it really takes two.