CRMC bariatric nurse coordinator Jill Wehseler, explains, “Certain requirements must be met before a patient has weight loss surgery. They must successfully complete a bariatric program. Our program includes visits with a psychologist, dietitian, pharmacist and surgeon. They also must have comprehensive lab work done and undergo an endoscopy to ensure there are no ulcers or bacteria present.” “It is important that patients are healthy enough, not only physically but also emotionally, to have weight loss surgery,” Dr. LeMieur elaborates. “We take a person’s emotion health seriously. The practice of our staff psychologist, who sees these candidates, is dedicated only to this type of counseling.” “The lap-band surgery helps me limit the amount of food I eat and how I eat,” says Lani. “Now there are consequences if I overeat.” Lani eats five or six small meals a day. Each meal consists of only a cup or less of food. She does not drink anything with her meals because the liquids will flush the food and nutrients through her system faster. “It is important that people who have this surgery eat good foods that are high in vitamins and protein, not full of empty calories. They have to learn to eat slowly and chew thoroughly. I like yogurt so I tend to eat quite a bit of that,” she says.
“In my job, eating on the run is an occupational hazard so I often bring my own food but I have always loved to cook,” Lani says. So when she makes a special dish, Lani takes it to work or someplace where she can share it. That way she can eat a smaller portion while others enjoy it too and she does not have it around home to tempt her. Lani’s weight loss journey has probably been more public than most. She has worked as a bartender at the busy Nisswa Municipal, The Pickle, since before her weight loss surgery. And while she enjoys and receives many compliments for her success, the downside is that if she were not to succeed, her failure would be obvious to the patrons. “I have a pretty good handle on it now,” she says. “I still attend some of the support groups at Cuyuna. They offer the Lifers weight loss support group for those of us who had weight loss surgery a year or more ago.” The program is an open forum cofacilitated by weight loss surgery patients who share their experiences and provide emotional support to one another.
“My weight has pretty much stabilized around 140 now,” says Lani. “People are surprised to hear that. They think I weigh less.” That’s because exercise firms up our bodies and muscles. Muscle weighs more than fat. Exercise has always been a part of Lani’s lifestyle. “Even when I was at my heaviest,” she says, “I tried to stay active. Now, I am totally dependant on my studio classes at the Y. I attend four days a week. The support of staff and classmates really helps to keep me motivated and on track. I also roller blade and walk my dog quite a bit too.” “Lani has been a star patient,” Dr. LeMieur says. “Any person who has this surgery can fail because many of these patients never feel full. Lani is successful because she follows the program. She keeps all her follow-up appointments, attends support groups, eats good foods in the right amounts and stays active. She uses the tools.”
HV
Melody Banks Melody Banks has been working professionally as a graphic artist and writer since 1987. She owns Black Sheep Family History Publishers in Nisswa and frequently writes articles and contributes photographs for special sections of the Brainerd Dispatch, Her Voice and the Lake Country Echo.
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