The struggle of deciding to go ahead with surgery

I'm sure there are plenty of other nurses and healthcare workers going through the same struggle. We know in our head and see others who are successful at weight loss w/o any surgical intervention and chastise ourselves for not being able to be as successful. Stars on TV aside who have personal trainers and make their own schedules, we know that weight loss is a significant struggle, both physically and emotionally.

I am a full time night shift supervisor for a major inner city teaching hospital in Philadelphia, have a 9 yr old son with a learning disability, I'm in school part time for my Master's in nursing, and a wife trying to keep my marriage and home together.

It is very challenging to devote the time to the gym as I once did in college, with no child and no real responsibilities. The night shift schedule as well is a significant challenge in itself, as only anyone who works night shift can relate to.

I have been overweight my whole life, with a short stent of being "skinny" right before I had my son. I most certainly am an emotional and convenience eater. After getting home from working at night, or off a 5 days OT stretch.. who want to cook right? These are all things I am incorporating into a complete lifestyle change, however being where I am now, and wanting to have more children in the not so distant future, I know I need to make some significant changes NOW.

I have decided to start the process for getting a gastric sleeve procedure. I have the pleasure of seeing the outcomes of my surgeon's surgery, as he operates on an almost daily basis at my hospital. I know him, the floor I will go to post op as well as the wonderful nurses who will care for me.

This whole process still takes a lot of work and commitment. But if we want/need it bad enough, it's worth it right?

I'm ready to go through with it, I very much look forward to meeting with the nutritionist who will help me learn to eat healthy with a night shift schedule.

Are there any other nurses or healthcare professionals out there going through this journey? I'm interested in starting this group as we are a unique bunch, we know the risks and long term outcomes of obesity and it's related complications, yet we also suffer from it just like the next person.

Looking forward to see where this blog/group can go and how we can provide support to each other!

Lisa