Hmmmm

G'Morning all... So this morning I sat down w/ my manager and finally told her about my leave on October 2 for surgery.  I was "dreading" this for so many reasons....most of them I needed to get over!!  We've had the nursing shortage hit us big time and staffing has been minimum, to say the least.  I even postponed everything for awhile because other nurses were having other surgeries done, and I didn't want to leave my shift completely understaffed, I'm an RN who works the night shift...not the easiest position to fill....The other reason is because I LOVE my job and really wish there was a way to do this without leaving for so many weeks....and finally, because I know she doesn't agree w/ the surgery and I didn't want a lecture. Well, much to my surprise, I did NOT get a lecture.  She was very nice, supportive, and understanding.  I decided to be honest about everything and my pre existing medical conditions to which she has been unaware of.  The meeting went great!!! But now....I'm nuts!!  Suddenly I've gotten very nervous about everything.....about the procedure, about the pain, about this working for me anyway because I've done the yo yo thing for so long (don't get me wrong....I'm 100% committed to the rules of eating afterwards and what not.....it's just hard for me to grasp loosing this much weight for one and then being able to maintain), about telling my family, about everyone's reaction.....about EVERYTHING. I think somewhere in my mind, because work, "my second family", didn't know, it wasn't real.  I hadn't taken steps to take leave, so therefore I was safe.  Now they know....and I'm going nuts. Sorry for rambling....just needed to vent to people who would understand!  Thanks for listening!!

hello good for you, you are taking one step at a time, and thats the way to go. being unsure before surgery is normal. we all go through it. i had my surgery 13 months ago, and it was the best, best thing i ever did. and, when u get back to your job, u will soooooo be able to do things better, everything will be easier as you start to feel strong and healthy again. good luck, jacki

hi pam glad everything worked out for you :) i was the opposite -- i blabbed to everyone while i was researching -- and found alot of people i worked with knew someone who had the surgery also -- so that helped with my research  you will be fine being an RN and going back to work :) you will forget about the pain -- and everything will fall into place :)  good luck to you roberta

First of all, congratulations on your decision to have WLS.  It was the best thing I ever decided to do for myself.  Also, the facility you've chosen, as well as the surgeon - first class ALL the way!  I had my surgery at Barix in Langhorne and received the absolute best care.   I had some serious last minute doubts which peaked when I went in for my PAT.  This is perfectly normal.  In my case, my surgery was postponed because I hadn't had a sleep study.  Wasn't ordered to have one until the PAT, but following that "lovely" evening being wired up, had to start on the C-PAP and be on it for 6 weeks before surgery would be rescheduled.  I looked at that delay as a chance to re-evaulate the surgery, my decision, and my "head."  By the time my rescheduled surgery came around, I was feeling much better about going through with it.  And, as I stated earlier, it was the best decision I've ever made.  A HUGE part of being "okay" with WLS, was knowing I had chosen an amazing organization and surgeon to "save" my life.   I wish you the best and would be more than happy to chat with you about my experience.  Take care. Barb 

Thank you all for the words of encouragement, it really means a lot to me!!! Thanks again, Pam