Question:
Any nurses out there who've had WLS?
Searching for WLS persons that have nursing as their career, but am now debating a career change due to health issues. — lighthousekeeper (posted on April 15, 2004)
April 15, 2004
Dear Linda,I'm a home care nurse.I'm scheduled for surgery on May 18 and am
very excited.I can't think about anything else. I just read your profile
and I can't wait to be in your shoes. Mary
— Mary I. F.
April 15, 2004
I am a nurse. I worked 20+ years in critical care units. Now I work at a
telephone triage position. I changed jobs due to a foot injury years before
my WLS. I had RNY 11-02. I have lost 190 pounds and consider going back to
ICU on a supplemental basis. There are lots of different jobs for nurses.
The knowledge base is incredibly helpful for your own health and that of
family members.Look at all angles before making a career decision.
— dianne E.
April 15, 2004
i also have been a nurse for twenty years having worked in all fields. i
have been disabled due to severe joint problems aggravated by my weight and
fibromyalgia for the past six years. I had Open RNY in Feb, 2003 and have
lost one hundred pounds and have recently been able to go back to work part
time. I love nursing. Altho bedside nursing is really rough right now
with all the shortages but there are many other nursing options to go into.
Right now, i am charge nurse in a mental facility serving a patient base
that is dear to my heart. Also totally different from acute care nursing.
— Delores S.
April 15, 2004
I have been a nurse for 6 years and work in a Nursing Home right now. I
also am going to school. I had surgery in Dec.2003 and have lost 65 pounds.
Many other nurses that I work with have also had the surgery. I work at the
V.A. and we have really good insurance. I do alot of heavy lifting and I
have not had any problems at all. I did not have any co-morbitities
however, so that may be a factor that is changing your decision.
— Raegan T.
April 15, 2004
I've been a nurse a long time - over 25 years with 13 years on a cardiac
stepdown, home care for several years, and now a cushy Mon-Fri job with an
insurance company. Look around in nursing - there are opportunities. What
are your skills? What are your strengths? There may be other facets of
nursing you should explore.
— koogy
April 15, 2004
Hi, I have been a nurse for 3 1/2 years. I have worked in med/surg and
want to try out some different areas. I love being a nurse! I had LAPband
surgery last month and have lost 20lbs as of today! I have I have taken
some time off from nursing and will go back in July. I know with losing a
significant amount of weight my job will be so much easier physically and I
will be able to put 100% into it.
Sara
— saras
April 15, 2004
I'm a nurse too, been in it for 11 years, 8 in critical care and the last 3
as a house supervisor. Think of a career change all the time, but the money
and hours are hard to leave!
— Sungurl B.
April 16, 2004
Hi, I'm Jane. I have been a nurse for 16 years. Critical care for 10 of
those and now Rehab for 6 years. I have been thinking of changing positions
for a while now. I had my Surgury on April 12th so I am still in the
recovery phase, but doing really well.
— Jane L.
April 16, 2004
I have been an ICU/ER nurse and clinical educator for these areas for over
15 years. I was to the point where i could only teach and not work on the
floors. NOW...i move like a new person, work agency extra, can handle 16
hours in the units with NO problems. Wish I had done it sooner.
— Connie R.
April 16, 2004
I am a nurse also, and another nurse in my department recently had rny ,
another is going thru the approval process. a new hire has had surgery in
the past. as did another nurse who used to work in my department. Lots of
nurses out there with gastric bypasses!
— **willow**
April 16, 2004
Dear Linda,
I have had rny 11/02 and am a rn for the past 25 years. Currently a school
nurse. Things have gone very well for me. any questions, please e-mail
me. Carla
— [Deactivated Member]
April 17, 2004
Hi! I am a RN as well. I worked in many different areas of nursing as
well. My weight loss has not been as significant as others but a loss none
the less. I had a gastric bypass surgery over a year and a half ago
started out at 330 something and now I weigh 256 today, two weeks post op
fifth C-section. I did not exercise at all not time with working so many
hours and with 4 kids. I did do the protein drinks for a while boy do they
give you the engery one needs!!!! I do cheat no doubt but I am very aware
everytime I cheat. I still drink lots and lots of water. Good luck to you
and everyone. The surgery was worth it!!!
— train
April 18, 2004
Hi Linda, I am an RN since 1986. I worked oncology & telemetry with a
short stint in ICU. Then I did UR & Case management for an insurance
company. Got laid off from that and became a computer programmer - the
insurance company trained me for that. Then 2 years later was laid off and
went back to a nursing type job. I now do Admissions for a nursing home.
Had WLS 12/22/04 and am down 75lbs. I am thinking I'd like to go back to
staff nursing when I lose a bit more. I was always afraid I couldn't
physically handle it before, but now I think I could. I have a lot to think
about, I like my present job and the insurance has been great for this
surgery so I don't know what I'll do when I grow up :-)
— catleth
April 18, 2004
Hey there.. i have been a RN for 22yrs.. i had my RNY in April 2003.. i
have done extremely well.. i started at 302# and i now weigh 175#.. i'm
hoping to loose around 20-30 more lbs.. my energy level is great.. i work
in the OR and have for 16yrs.. i'm on my feet at least 8 hours a day,
sometimes 10-14hrs(if i'm on call).. i would have the surgery again in a
minute.. the surgery has opened so many doors for me.. i look and feel so
much better.. people at work have been very supportive.. if you have any
questions you are welcome to email me.. take care..
— Sheena S.
April 19, 2004
I have been an RN for 23 years... 18 in ICU and PACU...the last 5.5 yrs in
a Telephone Triage Call Center... Originally I took the telephone triage
job because it was getting more and more difficult to stand on my feet for
8-12 hours a day... but I love what I do now and even though I have lost
131 lbs I have no desire to go back to floor nursing...I am 19 months post
op and I still have 20 lbs to lose... it is a very slow process at this
point but I am doing very well... I would do it ALL again in a New York
minute!!!
— Susan H.
May 7, 2004
Nurse Norcross here. I've been an RN for 18 years, 10 years in adult
critical care and 8 in managed care operations. Now doing full-time
medical-legal consulting, risk management work and managed care consulting
(contract negotiations and practice development) along with coaching WLS
patients. Am opening an all women's fitness center in Tampa with my
trainer and 2 other business partners this fall/winter.
Am eternally grateful for WLS and the life I have now...Diane N
www.WeightlossSurgery.ws
PS Email me any time - I am an entrepreneur for sure. There's LOTS for
us to do out there other then traditional nursing if you're ready for a
change
— DianeN
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