WLS Coach
Hi everyone!
I am beginning a coaching practice for those who have gastric bypass
surgery.
What is a coach, you ask? Good question! A coach is sort of like a
cheerleader, friend, and adviser all rolled into one. It seems to
me that the year after surgery is one of the hardest - emotionally
and physically. Having someone who has been there and done that
walking the path with you could be very helpful. Just FYI, I am 4.5
years post op RNY and have moderated OSSG for almost all of that
time, have worked extensively with my surgeon’s support group and
edited the newsletter for two years.
I would like to find 3 post ops who are willing to work with me for
3 months (free!) and help me get some experience from it and get
coaching along the way.
The process usually involves 1 half hour phone conversation a week
where we talk about what has gone on, some goals you want to set for
yourself, etc. In addition, I will be available through email during
the week if something comes up.
If you, or anyone you know would be interested, please feel free to
email me at Lisamw@…. I welcome any questions or comments
you all might have about this.
Thanks for your time!
Lisa Mahon
(ps: website coming soon!)
January 29th, 2004 at 11:21 am
Lisa… there actually is a word in childbirth circles for exactly this:
DOULA. A Doula is a person who has been there… who understands the
experiences of pregnancy, birth, new babies, and no sleep. A Doula is a
Walking Childbirth Class so the couple, in labor, does not have to remember
every detail of what they learned… the doula is there to share positions,
ideas, offer sips of water, hold the woman as she cries, touch the
partner’s hand to let him/her know that all is well and normal as they work
their way towards parenthood.
A Doula is similar to a Spirit Guide… someone who offers a hand,
information, education, and love… through a transition… a Rite of
Passage… into another realm of life.
I, too, Doula WLS posties. I love going up onto the 6th floor at Alvarado
Hospital to visit posties… to remind them why they did this to
themselves… to show, first hand, the beauty of post-op life… holding up
a mirror to offer them a glimpse of their own potential.
I know several other WLS Doulas as well… and the term is getting used,
too… fun!
The word “Doula” means “slave” in Greek… sometimes seen as “female slave”
or “handmaiden,” but there are male childbirth or postpartum
Doulas. Thought I’d share the origin of the word.
Anyway, what you are doing, Lisa, is fantastic… whatever name you call
it! I would love to help in any way I can. Just email me!
Barbara Herrera
San Diego, CA - 41 years old
Open RNY April 5, 2001
Dr. Julie Ellner, Alvarado Hospital, San Diego, CA
04/05/01: 344# / BMI: 63/ Body Fat%: 75%
04/05/02: 172# / BMI: 31.6/ Body Fat%: 28%
04/16/02: 165#/ BMI: 30.2
One Year Re-Birth Day: healed of ALL co-morbs, mobile beyond every
expectation, every pre-op dream surpassed a million-fold, and smaller than
any memory.