Hey there Connie, I am 8 weeks out, down 36lbs..woo hoo..lol. The scales are at a stand still at the moment, but I'm sure they'll wake up sooner or later and I'll be back on the weightloss cool wagon. Things are definitely difficult the first 3weeks. Every week, every day, every meal gets better. The first week, you feel as if you got hit by a bus or some huge truck! The pain is not the problem, is the notion of having to take protein, and drink this, and just be in bed. If you have a liquid diet, that also messes with you and it can be a bit frustrating. After the first month, I felt muuuuuch better. I am now back to work, eat whatever I need to eat to stay healthy, and really do not have any hunger fits or craving crazy drives. If i crave something enough, I have a bit or two...anything more than that and my tummy will tell me if it'll make me sick or if it'll give me an upset stomach. THe nausea is the hardest part. I am a fast eater, so that gets me in trouble most of the times. But, overall, I'm doing great and finally feeling normal! My regular meals are: some cheese or cottage cheese in the morning, a lean cuisine of some sort for lunch, and I share dinner with my boyfriend...he'll usually have sandwhiches, chicken, fast food stuff, etc...It's not so bad as soon as you start getting into a "cycle" and get used to the new you. My weightloss has been pretty normal (I have all my weigh-ins on my profile, check it out...at the end of all my babbling). Anywho, best regards and luck with everything! norma g.

I recently applied to an RN program in california (Mount St. Mary's College ADN Program). I am ecstatic of finally doing what I feel in my heart is the right fit for me after many years of putting it off. I currently work in the computer/IT field and doing pre-nursing courses on evenings and weekends. Hopefully I'll get accepted to the program and be on my nursing way My question is: What is the average salary for nurses? I know it varies from location, years of experience, etc..blah, etc..blah... But...in all honesty (for RN's), what is your annual income? Where do you work, city, etc? At my current job I am making 40K, so I'm just curious if nursing will be a big step up or down in the financial dept. Thanks for reading, Norma G. Los Angeles, CA Lap RNY: 8/30/04 255/219/150

Money does not make a good nurse. I have been in units where there are higher paid registry, agency, contract etc... and the care was no where near as thourough or caring as the staff nurse who made much less. NO I am not spamming registry etc.. just making a note that money does not buy a caring person, that comes from within. Here in California the wages differ greatly staff nurses earn $21-24 new grads,$24-30 hourly fully benefited, non benefited or per diem average $35-50, registry is $28-45 ( for the nurse of course the registry charges about $95) I would love for staff nurses to be higher paid but money ALONE wil not improve poor reviews. I did the same quailty job when I started at $20 an hour as I do now at $35. We need more mentors and training, ongoing, not because we were not trained well in college but due to constant changes of equipment, policys, medications, even ACLS changes. Hospitals and other nurse based agencys need educators, classes, mentors and definately a better staff ratio!!! I treat patients the way I would want to be treated or my family member treated I would hope others do the same but unfortunately that is not always the case.

$40/ hr ! where do you work? MK

Hi, I too might be able to use xl scrubs..... Only white or carribean blue ...email @ [email protected] sandy