Bet I wont be a great patient either...I hate being a patient. I want to tell them where to put my IV, second guess their advice, of course...I always know better. I am always treating my pts like I would treat my sister or mother if she were my patient. I am a nurse through and through...I don't know if everyone going into nursing today does it for the art of nursing. I think many do it for the job security, pay, and flexible shifts. Unfortunately, I judge people at my standards which are sometimes unreasonably high...I have to practice patience.... Best to all....19 days to go... Carolyn

Hi there Nancy, I am 4months post op, down 63lbs. I had the same situation with my PCP when I got started in the beginning of 2004. My doc is petite and definitely has not dealt with being overweight, so as long as you are sure of your decision and want to pursue this avenue, put your point across. I was very direct with my doc, telling her that I've been overweight since I was 10yrs old, have gone on ALL diets you can think of, and just was very direct and confident that I wanted a consultation with the bariatrics dept. She was not very sure about it and brough in her attending doctor for more advice to "convince me otherwise", but sure enough, the attending doc agreed with me and both talked it out. At the end of my appointment with my PCP, she gave me a consultation request for the bariatrics doc in my hospital and I was on my way. Calculate your BMI and see what it is, be informed. Being informed goes a long way and makes the docs realize youre serious about it. Good luck with everything

Karen, You poor thing....It's funny how we nurses feel we have to be perfect.... especially in our domain! I got a shock when I wanted to get a wash up and the nurse assistant brings me these "comfort cloth" things... they go in the microwave and they are like disposable wash cloths.... whatever happened to a basin of water??? I found myself having to apologize to the ICU nurses for being so out of control after surgery.... screaming, cussing, was totally out of control... the pain... the pain. My point being... you are not the only one who has tried to do the perfect thing.... I bet there are more stories to tell than we could ever imagine! B

Hi fellow RN's, Boy its tough being the patient! I was cleaning my lap incisions with hibiclens and applying betadine ointment. Got a nice little infection. The doc reminded me that my post op instructions were "wash staples with soap and water, dry well, apply dry dressing or leave open to air". Yeah, yeah, yeah... yuck. I have infected staples!!! I'm just humiliated! I wanted this to go perfectly! I wanted ZERO post op complications! It has already started. I'm quite a bit discouraged with myself today. Thanks for the vent. Karen

I just discovered this website 2 days ago and what a God send. I have scheduled consultations with two different surgeons so that I can decide on who is best for me. The consult with the first surgeon is on Jan. 18, 2005. The second one is on Jan. 27, 2005. I see my PCP on Jan. 7, 2005 to try to get her on board with WLS. Last time I talked with her about losing weight, she told me that she does not believe in diet pills and that all I had to do was cut back and exercise. She is about 5'8" and slender as a rail. How can I get my PCP on the same page as I am. I am going to need her on my side. Suggestions anyone?