I was in the same boat as you. I had been a CCU (floating to ICU) nurse and fully believed I might not make it. I did a ton of research. The sugar problem is what made me choose the RNY. I KNOW that I would have a great chance of regaining the weight if I could tolerate sugar - luckily I dump on it. I can eat sugar gum and for some reason hard candy, but other than that, forget it. I was mainly concerned about the complication rate with the surgeon I picked and the hospital I went to. They furnished me the statistics willingly. One of my friends (age 54), also a nurse, had an open RNY, and did not have a sleep study ahead of time. She did 2 days in the ICU primarily for respiratory, but is excellent now and swears by the surgery (she is about 100 pounds down). I would also ask about the preop testing - they should do a lot to make sure the risks are evaluated you know? I had a lap RNY, and had a BMI of 49.9. I am now 138 pounds down. I asked my family doctor (Internal Medicine) if she had heard of any post op long term complications from the surgery and she said she had just had one pt that was done in 1978.. (yeah, I know I said no way, they did not do this surgery back then!) - but they did some kind of weight loss surgery on him and this year he started to lose too much weight again and she said they had to reconnect him???? So that is the only long term thing I have heard. She also told me that they have done this surgery for quite some time, but did it for stomach cancer - so they do have statistics but not much for surgery done strictly for obesity. I had a pretty uncomplicated recovery, for me it was the best thing I have ever done in my life - I just did not like the liquids for the weeks after the surgery - yuk. I pretty much eat whatever I want now, I do protein first, then veggies then carbs. I just never want to regain it. I know more people are doing the lap band, but I just don't have any self-control - I really liked to eat too much food, and it was emotional eating you know? Like stress would trigger it. Whatever you decide, good luck and best wishes!

Hey Susan, My name is Meg, you may have seen an earlier post from me. I moved to Macon in 1992, have been working at The Medical Center since 1990! I have worked in OB since 1990, however, currently work fulltime as the nurse manager of an Interventional Radiology department. I'm proud of your nurse-midwifery accomplishment--I had the same dream for a long time. Your name sounds soooo familiar--wonder if in the past we might have met one another???? Congratulations on your upcoming sugery. You are going to do well!! I never had nausea or vomiting in my immediate post-op period. Hopefully, you will not either!! I wish you a smooth surgery and quick recovery!! Feel free to contact me with any questions or just to chat. Again, congrats--soon you'll be on the losing side!!!! {{{Hugs}}} Meg RNY 3/8/05 256/214/waiting on goal 135

I saw the dietitian last week (for the 3rd time) on Thursday 4-7 @ 11 AM, my last thing to do before sending off for insurance approval. I worked all weekend, yesterday and today. Well, last night hubby tells me I have a message from Liv-Lite. I call them this morning and she tells me I am APPROVED for the RNY!!!!!! Now they already knew this yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From Thursday to Monday!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for the gloat to anyone that is still jumping through hoops. How kewl!!!!!!!! Anyway they were ready for me to come in next week to get moving on the next step. Seeing the consulting MD, getting scheduled for the EGD and setting up a time with the surgeon. I really need to wait until July (finances, work, and hubbies school schedule) so I'm just going to keep my apt for May 5 with the dietitian again and then start to set the rest of it up. I'm so jazzed......wish I could go ahead now, but really need to save up a little more first since I used all my sick time last month.

Sorry about your experiences Debbie. Sounds like you had some pretty shabby nursing care. I'm not real impressed that your doc blames your stomach on his nicking your spleen and you getting a leak. Hope things get better for you.

I was sick over the holidays and then again last month, so used up a bunch of days. And back in Nov my FIL got very ill and has since passed so we ended up going to TX twice. So between all off that no PTO left. I'm feeling much better but still feel like I have a bell over my head.