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Puerto Vallarta News NetworkHealth & Beauty | June 2009 

Bariatric Surgery - Is it for You?
email this pageprint this pageemail usPamela Thompson - PVNN


For more information, contact Bariataric Coach, Judy Krings, Ph.D., CMC, ACC at drj(at)bariatricsurgerycoaching.com, or visit BariatricSurgeryCoaching.com.
I am happy to introduce Dr. Judy Krings (Google her! She's all over the place!) It's an honor to be working with her for pre- and post-bariatric counseling. Bariatric surgery is not a decision to be taken lightly. This is a tool - not a cure. A huge part of it is mental. It involves giving up your current relationship with food and changing it - forever!

Bariatric Surgery: Is It The Obesity Easy Way Out?

In the last few years you may have heard a lot about bariatric (obesity) surgery. How dangerous it is, how rapidly people lose weight, or perhaps how health could be drastically improved. If you are obese, it may be your last ditch effort to lead a normal life.

But what's the real truth about bariatrics?

Is it a quick fix? Does the usual rapid weight loss last? Is it more dangerous if you are older? Is it easier than trying one more diet you fear will fail? What complications could threaten recovery? Could you even die?

You are unique. There are no one-size-fits-all answers to any of these questions. Regardless, you may decide the opportunity to become healthy after years of struggle are worth the risk. Maybe you are desperate to swim into a new life, wearing a fun new bathing suit, knowing you look just fine.

Obesity may kill you. Perhaps the less than 1% death rate from surgery complications doesn’t scare you off. But, the risk is much lower than the risk of death from heart disease, diabetes and other obesity related diseases.

You’ve tried every weight loss and exercise method on the planet, but despite your efforts, the pounds persist. So does your immense emotional burden. Poor self esteem, fear of failure, self-sabotages, and humiliation villains have plagued you. Rejection and negative judgment from others who feel you should just try harder are tattooed on your psyche.

Usually, you are over 100 pounds overweight and/or have a high BMI (Body Mass Index, about 35-40). You may have serious health concerns that have plagued your daily life: diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, gastric reflux, infertility, respiratory problems, heart difficulties, and high cholesterol and triglycerides.

There is good news. Age isn’t as relevant as overall health, though recovery may be slower if you are older and less active. Despite your age, losing weight can add years to your life as your health improves.

As an obesity sufferer, you need to face reality. If you make the decision to dive into the sometimes murky water of bariatric surgery, know that you might experience choppy seas as you recover.

If you want the best response, doing your pre-surgery homework is imperative.

The risks of bariatric surgery are not for the faint at heart. Educate yourself about possible long-term risks possible risks such as, but not limited to: Bleeding, cardiac problems, anesthetic complications, deep vein thrombosis, dumping (caused by eating foods high in sugar and fat), muscle healing difficulties, bowel obstruction, esophagus enlargement, problems with medication, gastric slippage around the adjustable lap band, gastrointestinal leaks, infection, hernia, vitamin and iron deficiency, ulcers, and stricture, (narrowing of the intestines.) But you could be one of the lucky ones and have no side effects at all.

Know that your eating patterns will need to change forever. You may need to take supplements for the rest of your life. People may criticize you, friendships may change, and your whole life may undergo radical shifts.

Bariatric surgery is not for sissies! For obesity sufferers, losing weight is a complicated process, and it may be after bariatric surgery as well. Your whole life will take a gigantic shift emotionally as well as physically. Depression can rear its ugly head even if your pounds melt away.

Surgery in your gut requires employing your emotional guts. Sustained optimism, perseverance, grit and pluck aid your weight loss recovery. So does a good support team. Your medical staff, family, friends, a support group, and a life coach help you stay on track and meet your goals faster and with more ease.

Statistics show you may lose your desired weight in about a year, but you may gain weight back. Life coaching helps you keep your eye on the scales as well as on emotional issues that often arise after surgery.

If your weight loss goes more slowly than you had hoped, or you begin to regain despite your best efforts, your coach will help you identify and utilize your personal strengths to help you hit your weight loss target and maintain it. Learning absolutely essential new eating habits and letting go of emotional eating are additional areas your coach can help you navigate. You will learn that food has no power. You do.

After years of self- hatred, immobilization, and a yearning for normalcy, ask yourself, “Is bariatric surgery, with all its possible complications, worth my time, energy, and expense? Can I comprehend that my entire life is going to change forever and food can no longer be my solace or best friend? Do I want health, happiness, and a vibrantly fulfilling life enough to yell, “Bring it on!”

Does this sound like the “easy” way out for you? The choice is yours. Your new bariatric best self rewards await.

For more information, contact Clinical Psychologist and Bariataric Coach, Judy Krings, Ph.D., CMC, ACC at (920) 682-9119, send an email to drj(at)bariatricsurgerycoaching.com, or visit BariatricSurgeryCoaching.com.

Also, please see the new "Dr. Joya" page on the HealthCareResourcesPV.com website for additional information and before and after photos.
Pamela Thompson is a registered nurse who has lived in Puerto Vallarta for over 17 years, 10 of them in health care. Pamela now leads HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, a local healthcare resource network. Her years of experience and expertise are available to you by emailing your questions to pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com or by visiting HealthCareResourcesPV.com.

Click HERE to learn more about the health and well-being services offered by HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta.



In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving
the included information for research and educational purposes • m3 © 2009 BanderasNews ® all rights reserved • carpe aestus