HI all

I'm a student nurse, hoping to in may 05... trying to schedule WLS..... I have my first apt. this friday, nov. 5th. I find that as a student nurse, I am now so much more informed of the risks obesity has in so many areas... I was thinking of WLS for at least four years, but as soon as I started hearing the risks I was all for it... Many of my fellow students are not supportive.. they suggest weigh****chers, exercise, etc. Well I've been on Weigh****chers since I've been about nine, and I do exercise! They are shocked to hear this by the way... So I"ve made up my mind, made my peace with God, and now I have to make peace with the insurance company..... Diane

It is decision that you have to make for yourself. I know right where you are coming from. I weighed 160 in the 6th grade...I tried everything too, and gained back what I lost plus some. I had my surgery 4/27 and would never ever go back. I am not thin by any means yet, but feel sooo much better about myself. My joints don't hurt anymore, my b/p is normal. I am off glucophage. At six months out, my hair is a little thin and my iron is low right now. Other than that...I am 110 pounds less than I was~I am now 210 with a goal of 165. I notice I move a lot more quickly. Some of the nurses where I worked really tried to talk me out of the surgery. Now, they can't quit saying wow, you look great...your color is good. Gee, you look healthy! They are surprised. Go with what your heart tells you. RESEARCH all the programs...and pick the one with the least statistical complications and deaths. That is what I did. I went out of my town to a program because I did NOT want to die...and that was my worst fear~I think nurses always worry about the worst stuff because we know too much! I went by the numbers that they had, then I trusted God to get me through. I did not want to live in my body any longer at the time...I was just so sick of dragging it around. I know that is a blunt way of putting it...but honest! Good luck with whatever you choose, and congrats on nursing school.

Diane, I was just browsing the RN boards and your post caught my attention. I am an RN and had WLS on 9-10-04. I work as a case manager in a home health office. I have personally found the majority of other health care workers are not your best support! Every single nurse (all of whom I also consider close friends), were totally against my WLS. You have to realize also, that we ARE better informed and understand the risks better than most lay people. Especially when we have seen others suffer first hand. I had real difficulty with this, but know it is just out of concern they were so against it! Good luck with the insurance company! Keep us posted! Tonya Dresher, RN