Why Weight?
January 6, 2016I successfully continue to keep off over 155 pounds and strive to make good choices each day. On my journey, I always sought out support and was able to meet informative people. Most were like me, navigating the waters of this great new life style.
Upon becoming a WLS post-op patient, I sometimes found working with professionals to be challenging. In the beginning, I was given general information, and soon learned that with the surgeons I encountered, their task was to perform the surgery, period! While many were informed about the bariatric lifestyle, much crucial information was left out along the way, for myself and many other post-ops I met at support groups.
Becoming a Support Group Leader
I knew I had to do something…..for one thing, I needed a form of support to help keep myself accountable. When I had the opportunity to be involved with ObesityHelp.com, to apply for certification and training as a Support Group Leader, I jumped at the chance! I learned so much and had lots to offer about the bariatric lifestyle, given my years as a compliant, successful post-op.
For my support group, I chose the name “Why Weight” – it seemed fitting. Why should we carry the weight we have struggled with for years, considering the great surgical alternatives to “dieting”?
Shortly after receiving my OH Support Group Leader Certification, I was invited to chair a local hospital’s support group. The surgeons were in the process of building and increasing their weight loss surgery program, but they had no support person. Their pre-op program was well covered, with patients seeing all of the specialists prior to surgery.
I learned there was little emphasis on support. I found that support was merely mentioned in the pre-op phase of specialist visits, not stressed, but simply mentioned. Patients did not learn the critical importance of physically attending a support group. Many are told that they “need to remain on a diet” for the rest of their lives, as part of the surgical process. The importance of support and ongoing education post-operatively wasn't emphasized enough.
The Importance of Support
Reaching out to new post-op patients to provide the important education of being a successful post-op has been a challenge! When new post-ops attend their first or second support group meeting, many are disillusioned about remaining on a “diet” for the rest of their lives! Somewhere along the pre-op process, it seems many patients don't fully understand and embrace that having WLS is a tool to change their lifestyle. My message to them is that by changing their lifestyle, and being compliant with their bariatric surgeon's recommendations, a healthy and happier life can be theirs! As a support group leader, I stress to my support group members that by attending meetings regularly, you can be inspired by other WLS patients' successes, and obtain more knowledge from the good information that is discussed in meetings.
So while I am thrilled to have a “brick and mortar” support group, it has been challenging to help post-ops that need to get back on track so soon after surgery, due to a lack of education. Many new surgical patients are non-compliant within the first post-op month!
I find by the time patients come to support group meetings, they are often misinformed or have come to inaccurate conclusions about vitamin supplementation, foods, exercise, the importance of protein and proper water intake. Not enough stress has been placed upon the importance of these things. Somewhere along their process, the education hasn't been taught or taken seriously.
To pay it forward, my passion is to share the importance of eating healthfully, exercising, vitamin supplementation, protein intake and keeping hydrated to regain the WLS patient's health. I love being a support group leader to provide education and support to others. I look forward to the day when support group attendance becomes just as critical as a pre-op test!
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Midge Ruhl had RNY surgery, and has successfully maintained her 155 weight loss for nearly 11 years. From a desire to help others and share her own wellness journey, Midge became an ObesityHelp Support Group Leader. In 2012, she became the first Bariatric Support Group Leader for a local hospital and has enjoyed professional and patient contact ever since her first meeting! |
