DawnVic
Hi there. My name is Dawn Vickers and I wear quite a few hats. I am happily married to my best friend Joe and have 3 children. Coty is 21, Caitlin is 17 and Christian is 16. We have a happy home of chaos with 3 dogs and 4 cats. Coty's girlfriend Amanda is 20 and lives with us as well and is like another daughter to me.
I have been a Registered Nurse for 22 years now working in Med/Surg, ER, ICU, Home Health, Hospice and most recently in Adult Psychiatry. I have taken a break from nursing since May '07 to advance my education and to switch gears a little bit.
Last year, I began following my new passion of working with the obese and/or those with issues around health and wellness by becomine a Certified Bariatric Life Coach. I give individualized weekly coaching to those who want to lose weight, maintain their current weight and set exercise goals. I am a few weeks away from becoming a Ceritified Life Coach as well for those who want to excel in all areas of their life.
I have struggled with the disease of obesity my entire life. Unsuccessful at many "diets" with hypertension, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, depression and arthritis, I made the decision to have weight loss surgery. I could always lose weight, I just couldn't keep it off. At 402# with a BMI of 71 on August 3rd, 2006 I underwent LapBand surgery and began the adventure of a lifetime. I committed to make the life-long changes it would take to both emotionally and physically heal myself with the help of my "tool". Since then I have lost 135#! I am so thrilled with my band who I lovingly nicknamed "Oscar" (for the days when it is grouchy). It has not been easy and it is a daily struggle to stay on track. I admit that I do still have a ways to go, but I'm looking forward to the ride. Meal by meal, day by day I work toward my goals and love to help others do the same. I have had setbacks and have even relapsed into the disease of obesity at times, but have managed to get back on track with the help of Dr. Cywes, Oscar, my family, friends and classmates who have become like family.
