It’s been a while since I wrote an update on Becoming a Healthier Me. This past month has been a whirlwind with various medical appointments, tests etc…. My journey towards gastric bypass began July 2012 then a little “hiccup” with my insurance stopped the process for a short time. After my insurance “hiccup” was solved I was able to get back on track in January 2013 to continue with the six months process towards gastric bypass surgery.
I have had many people ask why the process takes so
long. I can truly see why Geisinger Bariatric
Program is six months long. They want to
make sure we receive all the “tools” we need to assist us in becoming a “healthier
me” as well as stay healthier for our lifetime.
Some of the “tools” that Geisinger Bariatric Program provides are:
1)
One on one counseling with a registered nutritionist
throughout the six months and for life.
2)
Monthly support groups (for life)
3)
Bariatric Surgery Patient Education Classes
(with education notebook and book):
a.
Personal Responsibility
b.
Changing Lifestyle
c.
Building Support
d.
Managing Stress
e.
Setting Goals
f.
Eating Styles
g.
Getting Active
h.
Body Image
,.
4)
Full
medical evaluation, tests, and psychological evaluation.
5)
Each
professional staff member you see is available through phone, emails or
personal appointments.
6)
Life time appoints anytime you need to recharge
or regroup to keep you on track with your weight loss and maintain your new
weight for life.
Of course I have an extra added benefit as well. I have wonderful prayer partners that will
continue to encourage and lift me up in their prayers.
After going through the above program, I have reached the
final step prior to surgery – this Friday, May 17th I will meet with
the surgeon who will perform the surgery.
They have assigned the most experienced surgeon for my gastric bypass. Please continue to pray for my progress and
process. Upon meeting the surgeon I will
then receive the date for my surgery.
Two weeks prior to surgery I will be on a liquid protein diet that will
continue for the next 2 plus weeks after surgery until certain foods will
slowly be introduced to my “new” much smaller stomach. To learn more about the bariatric program and
the different types of procedures please visit: http://www.geisinger.org/services/bariatrics/index.html
I have not come to the decision of gastric bypass
lightly. This journey for me has been 10
years in the making. I am 100% ready for
the surgery to assist me in becoming a healthier me. I know that the surgery has its risks and
that it is a helpful tool in aiding me to lose the unhealthy excess weight. I say
it is a helpful tool
because I know that if I do not utilize the other “tools” they have provided me
through the education class that I can easily put the weight back on. So gastric bypass surgery is NOT an easy way
to lose weight! Just look at the surgery
itself – it changes your organs/inside of body drastically! But for me it is the only way to lose the
amount of weight needed to help me to become a healthier me.
I will update you once I receive the date for me
surgery. Please continue to pray for me
as I continue my journey to Become a Healthier Me.
