First Things First- Group Educational Meeting on 1/15/09

I just wanted to let you all know that I am aware of the missing space in my blog title. They limit you to only so many characters. Not perfect... but works.

On with my story…On January 15th, my husband and I attended an informational group meeting hosted by the Bariatric Institute of Wisconsin. (It sounds like a place of learning and education doesn’t it?) Well, they sure had a wealth of knowledge on that evening.

There are quite a few different procedure choices that are offered. There two most common that I have listed more technical information below.

They encouraged us all to do some further research and consideration for which procedure we would like to discuss further.

Two of the physician from this group spoke that evening. Dr. James Burhop and Dr. Manfred Chiang. It just so happens that I worked at the hospital which the surgeries are done at for over 20 years as a pharmacy technician. I had contact with the physicians within this group through the surgery department. I had done quite a bit of work in on a project that involved the whole department. I had also had a minor surgery with Dr. Chiang in the past. The doctors are general surgeons. I had chosen Dr. Chiang for my procedure.

At the end of the Doctors speaking, a patient spoke giving her perspective. She had just reached her two year, “Surgaversary”! Get it? Surgery + Anniversary! I loved this term! She was very informative and has done very well after her procedure. I also know a hand full of people who have had the procedure and have spoken with them about their experiences. They will be great support along the way.

Below you will find the description which I promised.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Procedure

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is the benchmark bariatric operation. Other procedures are compared to the Roux-en-Y as to their quality and effectiveness. During the Roux-en-Y procedure, a small pouch (it inner curve of the stomach and the small intestine is then attached to the pouch. This procedure provides an excellent tool for long-term control of weight without the feeling of being deprived and hungry. Patients eat much smaller portions due to the pouch size, but they have the sense of fullness and satisfaction that makes them indifferent to even their favorite foods. Food appetites change after surgery; as the body no longer tolerates food high in sugar or fat. These foods may make a patient physically uncomfortable. With this built-in control, you naturally avoid these foods. Other surgical procedures don’t provide this important benefit of behavior modification. Because a section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch, less of the food you eat is absorbed.Patients who have the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y still continue to enjoy eating, just much smaller portions. Nutrition is also maintained with vitamin and mineral supplements.When done laparoscopically the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass has the advantage of avoiding a large incision, thus the recovery is much faster.

Lap-Band® Procedure

The Lap-Band is the newest surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the US. Like a wristwatch, the band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch. As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food. Since there is no cutting, stapling, or stomach rerouting involved in the Lap-Band procedure, it is considered the least traumatic of all weight loss surgeries. Your surgeon makes several tiny incisions and uses long, slender instruments to implant the device. By avoiding the large incision of open surgery, patients generally experience less pain and scarring.The Lap-Band System is adjustable for a customized weight-loss rate for each patient. Adjustments to the band, which are performed during simple outpatient visits, are determined by the patient's weight loss, the amount of food that can be comfortably eaten, the exercise regiment and other issues surrounding the patient's health. (The rate of weight loss with the Lap-Band procedure is slower than with the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.)Because no permanent changes are made to the body's physiology, the Lap-Band can essentially be reversed. If necessary, all of the system components can be removed from the body with no damage to the digestive organs. The stomach will generally return to its original form and capacity once the band is removed.To date, more than 100,000 patients worldwide have undergone the Lap-Band System procedure.

Arriving at one goal is a starting point to another

"Arriving at one goal is a starting point to another"
~ John Dewey~
American philosopher and educator.

Well, I have always liked this quote, however it seems to be very appropriate.

Before Christmas I had made a choice in my mind, to make a big change in my life. I had a conversation with a friend, and thought I was ready to make a big decision. Usually once I start to have these deep thoughts, I share them with my husband, my best friend. (Yes, I know corny, but very true). This time it was a little bit different. Jared, my oldest son was home from college. He goes to Winona State in Minnesota and is in his third year studying Business/Marketing. (We also have another son Darren, who is in his second year at Martin Luther College in New Ulm Minnesota. He is studying to be a Lutheran School Teacher).

Back to my story... Jared and I were out doing some Christmas shopping, and I brought up what I had been thinking about to him.I asked Jared, what he would think about me going in and having either Gastric By-pass or Lap-Band surgery. The first thing he asked, was, what does Dad think? I told him that I hadn't spoken to anyone else about this as of yet. Jared went on to tell me that in his marketing class they talk about selling yourself with presentation, knowledge... and appearance. I could agree with all of this. Next he said, "It would be better and healthier for you.. don't you think?" We went on with the discussion which was very sweet and touching to me. I have always enjoyed the open discussions that I often have with my boys. So now I had said it out loud.Step one.

In the mean time after coming back from vacation time with the family over Christmas, I found out the the new VP in charge of our Product Management group had decided that number one, he no longer wanted any decentralized employees, (I live about two hours away from the office, but was hired as such along with others), number two, I did not fit into the skill set plans he has.Thanks to the current Bosses that I did have, they convinced him to number one not tell me the week of Christmas and more importantly, that I remain employed with the company to not loose the knowledge of the product and customers that I do have. A big huge thank you to both of them for believing in me, and for keeping me employed during this tough time in our nation and our nations economy.

So, this is a little bit of starting information on me, Jodie!I really can't believe that I am doing a Blog. It was suggested by a person who I look at as being very inspirational in my life, who thinks that my journey would be worth telling.I will end this first entry now. More to follow....