Lifestyle Management
By: Jennifer Ross Sawyer, MA, LPC, NCC, Jennifer Ross Sawyer, Counseling and ConsultationCategory: Jennifer Ross Sawyer, MA, LPC, NCC
Hi. I’m Jennifer Ross Sawyer. I am a licensed professional counselor and nationally certified counselor. I am employed at Southeast Bariatrics in Charlotte, NC, the practice of Dr. David Voellinger.
Dr. Voellinger has a true vision for bariatric surgery. He believes in the concept of
Lifestyle Management…thus, I am part of a three-member Lifestyle Management Team. My
colleagues are Heather Mackie, a registered dietitian, and Annie Lee, an exercise physiologist.
Together, we assess applicants for weight loss surgery and develop treatment plans to get them
ready for their journeys. We provide a program that will guide a person through the first year
and, well, actually, for a lifetime…
Annie, Heather, and I , with the help of our staff nurse, have written a manual which is called Journey to Wellness. This manual contains “everything you need to know to be successful with weight loss surgery.” Since our surgeon does at least 5 different procedures, there are versions of the book specific to each procedure.
The team, along with our bariatric liaison, who guides applicants from their first calls all the way to the surgical suite, presents a Pre-op Class two weeks prior to surgeries. This two- and-a-half hour class provides information and answers questions of surgical candidates. Our Lifestyle Management package provides individual visits throughout the first year post- surgery. We are proud of our program. We believe in our program and we give it 110% every day.
I had RNY 4 years and seven months ago. I have been to my goal weight and I have gained some weight back again. Currently, I am 10 pounds from my ideal weight. Having had the experience of rebound weight gain (WAIT A MINUTE, I THOUGHT THIS WEIGHT LOSS WAS FOREVER!), I have learned some things about using your tool to find and maintain your weight.
In the coming weeks, I will be talking about some of these concepts. I will also be telling you about some of the funny moments, the frustrations, and the victories on this roller-coaster ride to better health.
If you have questions or comments regarding this blog, you can reach me at jrsawyer@southeastbariatrics.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
