Key points from today’s guests:
Jennifer Williams, lost 180+ pounds after gastric bypass
- Jennifer was active in her early years, but as she got older, she battled weight issues that ultimately affected her job as a school librarian.
- Every time she lost weight, she ended up gaining it back.
- Her doctor recommended bariatric surgery and after a year since the surgery, she has been able to keep off the weight because of her change in lifestyle.
- The first step is to be mentally prepared. The surgery is just a tool, but the lifestyle needs to change.
- She now works out regularly in her home gym and has drastically altered her diet, eating more protein and smaller portions.
- She realized that the process is not just the surgery, it's the whole lifestyle you're going to have and it can be a challenge.
- Jennifer cautions that this is not a quick fix. This is not just have the surgery and magically you're going to be thin and happy. There's so many changes that happen and the entire team has been so supportive.
Ashley Rhodes, Ph.D., bariatric psychologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- Before bariatric surgery, patients must meet with a psychologist to ensure they are ready for the process.
- Our goal is to identify risk factors such as if someone has an active eating disorder, active untreated mental health issues, or substance abuse issues because those are things we want to address before surgery.
- Post-surgery, my role is to walk alongside our patients and be a support provider for the follow-up experiences and questions they have.
- There's a lot of misinformation and stigma out there related to not only obesity, but also related to the surgery process.
- Misconceptions can really be a barrier for folks to explore their options about bariatric surgery. If this is something you're interested in, we encourage you to come in with an open mind and just know that there is support that can help you short- and long-term, no matter what -- and we want to be a part of that process.
Nicolette Jones, clinical dietician specialist, The University of Kansas Health System
- I am involved in every step of the process after surgery as patients go through a specific diet progression -- tailoring diets to their specific needs, their schedule and their job and what they tolerate.
- There are a lot of different types of foods that may or may not be well tolerated after surgery.
- We look at troubleshooting some digestive issues that may arise and also food aversions appetite. The key is getting enough nutrition as they may be eating less overall.
- It is certainly not a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to nutrition for someone after a surgery like this.
- Bariatric surgery is not a magic wand and there is definitely some habits that you have to change. Jennifer has showed us she's established healthy eating, protein intake, and consistent exercise. And so while this is a life-changing surgery, you need other tools in that toolbox to support you long-term.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- This week, the COVID count is at 16 active inpatients, down from 23 active inpatients last week.
- There's a new study out that claims the vaccine actually helped reduce the risk of blood clots.
- We know that COVID alone can cause an increased risk of you getting blood clots, so blood clots in your legs, blood clots in your lungs, but also other thrombo embolic events such as stroke and heart attack.
- The study showed that those people that received a bivalent booster as compared to the people that had just received the monovalent original vaccines did have about a 50 percent decreased risk of blood clots.
- This is further evidence that these vaccines are safe and effective, and can further help reduce the risk of COVID side effects or problems such as blood clots.
Monday, January 29 at 8 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Learn more about gene editing and how these new therapies can help battle sickle cell anemia.
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