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11Jun
Led by Renown’s Bariatric Program Manager, this group connects you with peers and leaders so you can support, coach, encourage and lean on one another when you need it most. Whether you are facing post-surgery challenges or thinking about weight loss surgery and want to learn more about the client’s perspective or help reluctant family and friends better understand the process, attending this support group meeting can be invaluable. This support group is an excellent resource where you’ll find people who share your health and wellness goals. We are devoted to people with everyday experiences, sharing their feelings in a safe environment, and developing relationships that can contribute to improved physical and emotional health. We’ve found that our most successful clients attend support groups regularly. Video enabled attendance is available. Patients can access remotely and join from any video-enabled device (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or webcam/desktop). Upon registering, you will receive instructions on how to virtually connect. There is no charge to attend this class.
Read More About Bariatric Surgery Virtual Support Group
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10Dec
Led by Renown’s Bariatric Program Manager, this group connects you with peers and leaders so you can support, coach, encourage and lean on one another when you need it most. Whether you are facing post-surgery challenges or thinking about weight loss surgery and want to learn more about the client’s perspective or help reluctant family and friends better understand the process, attending this support group meeting can be invaluable. This support group is an excellent resource where you’ll find people who share your health and wellness goals. We are devoted to people with everyday experiences, sharing their feelings in a safe environment, and developing relationships that can contribute to improved physical and emotional health. We’ve found that our most successful clients attend support groups regularly. Video enabled attendance is available. Patients can access remotely and join from any video-enabled device (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or webcam/desktop). Upon registering, you will receive instructions on how to virtually connect. There is no charge to attend this class.
Read More About Bariatric Surgery Virtual Support Group
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23Jul
This FREE virtual seminar is open to all patients, family members, friends and caregivers. Learn about weight loss surgery and its effectiveness in resolving and improving diabetes and other diseases such as high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Topics include: Am I a candidate? The types of bariatric surgeries Renown offers along with the risks and benefits of each. Updated success statistics of bariatric surgery, resolution and/or improvement of diabetes and other medical problems. How you can expect to progress through the process and standard medical management following surgery. Lifestyle and nutritional changes needed to be successful. Information about our surgeons performing Weight Loss Surgery at Renown Regional Medical Center. Video enabled attendance is available. Patients can access remotely and join from any video-enabled device (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or webcam/desktop). Email with meeting link will be sent the day before the seminar. There is no charge to attend this class.
Read More About Weight Loss Surgery Education Virtual Seminar
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13Aug
Led by Renown’s Bariatric Program Manager, this group connects you with peers and leaders so you can support, coach, encourage and lean on one another when you need it most. Whether you are facing post-surgery challenges or thinking about weight loss surgery and want to learn more about the client’s perspective or help reluctant family and friends better understand the process, attending this support group meeting can be invaluable. This support group is an excellent resource where you’ll find people who share your health and wellness goals. We are devoted to people with everyday experiences, sharing their feelings in a safe environment, and developing relationships that can contribute to improved physical and emotional health. We’ve found that our most successful clients attend support groups regularly. Video enabled attendance is available. Patients can access remotely and join from any video-enabled device (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or webcam/desktop). Upon registering, you will receive instructions on how to virtually connect. There is no charge to attend this class.
Read More About Bariatric Surgery Virtual Support Group
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9Jul
Led by Renown’s Bariatric Program Manager, this group connects you with peers and leaders so you can support, coach, encourage and lean on one another when you need it most. Whether you are facing post-surgery challenges or thinking about weight loss surgery and want to learn more about the client’s perspective or help reluctant family and friends better understand the process, attending this support group meeting can be invaluable. This support group is an excellent resource where you’ll find people who share your health and wellness goals. We are devoted to people with everyday experiences, sharing their feelings in a safe environment, and developing relationships that can contribute to improved physical and emotional health. We’ve found that our most successful clients attend support groups regularly. Video enabled attendance is available. Patients can access remotely and join from any video-enabled device (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or webcam/desktop). Upon registering, you will receive instructions on how to virtually connect. There is no charge to attend this class.
Read More About Bariatric Surgery Virtual Support Group
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10Sep
Led by Renown’s Bariatric Program Manager, this group connects you with peers and leaders so you can support, coach, encourage and lean on one another when you need it most. Whether you are facing post-surgery challenges or thinking about weight loss surgery and want to learn more about the client’s perspective or help reluctant family and friends better understand the process, attending this support group meeting can be invaluable. This support group is an excellent resource where you’ll find people who share your health and wellness goals. We are devoted to people with everyday experiences, sharing their feelings in a safe environment, and developing relationships that can contribute to improved physical and emotional health. We’ve found that our most successful clients attend support groups regularly. Video enabled attendance is available. Patients can access remotely and join from any video-enabled device (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or webcam/desktop). Upon registering, you will receive instructions on how to virtually connect. There is no charge to attend this class.
Read More About Bariatric Surgery Virtual Support Group
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22Oct
This FREE virtual seminar is open to all patients, family members, friends and caregivers. Learn about weight loss surgery and its effectiveness in resolving and improving diabetes and other diseases such as high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Topics include: Am I a candidate? The types of bariatric surgeries Renown offers along with the risks and benefits of each. Updated success statistics of bariatric surgery, resolution and/or improvement of diabetes and other medical problems. How you can expect to progress through the process and standard medical management following surgery. Lifestyle and nutritional changes needed to be successful. Information about our surgeons performing Weight Loss Surgery at Renown Regional Medical Center. Video enabled attendance is available. Patients can access remotely and join from any video-enabled device (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or webcam/desktop). Email with meeting link will be sent the day before the seminar. There is no charge to attend this class.
Read More About Weight Loss Surgery Education Virtual Seminar
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12Nov
Led by Renown’s Bariatric Program Manager, this group connects you with peers and leaders so you can support, coach, encourage and lean on one another when you need it most. Whether you are facing post-surgery challenges or thinking about weight loss surgery and want to learn more about the client’s perspective or help reluctant family and friends better understand the process, attending this support group meeting can be invaluable. This support group is an excellent resource where you’ll find people who share your health and wellness goals. We are devoted to people with everyday experiences, sharing their feelings in a safe environment, and developing relationships that can contribute to improved physical and emotional health. We’ve found that our most successful clients attend support groups regularly. Video enabled attendance is available. Patients can access remotely and join from any video-enabled device (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or webcam/desktop). Upon registering, you will receive instructions on how to virtually connect. There is no charge to attend this class.
Read More About Bariatric Surgery Virtual Support Group
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8Oct
Led by Renown’s Bariatric Program Manager, this group connects you with peers and leaders so you can support, coach, encourage and lean on one another when you need it most. Whether you are facing post-surgery challenges or thinking about weight loss surgery and want to learn more about the client’s perspective or help reluctant family and friends better understand the process, attending this support group meeting can be invaluable. This support group is an excellent resource where you’ll find people who share your health and wellness goals. We are devoted to people with everyday experiences, sharing their feelings in a safe environment, and developing relationships that can contribute to improved physical and emotional health. We’ve found that our most successful clients attend support groups regularly. Video enabled attendance is available. Patients can access remotely and join from any video-enabled device (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or webcam/desktop). Upon registering, you will receive instructions on how to virtually connect. There is no charge to attend this class.
Read More About Bariatric Surgery Virtual Support Group
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14May
Led by Renown’s Bariatric Program Manager, this group connects you with peers and leaders so you can support, coach, encourage and lean on one another when you need it most. Whether you are facing post-surgery challenges or thinking about weight loss surgery and want to learn more about the client’s perspective or help reluctant family and friends better understand the process, attending this support group meeting can be invaluable. This support group is an excellent resource where you’ll find people who share your health and wellness goals. We are devoted to people with everyday experiences, sharing their feelings in a safe environment, and developing relationships that can contribute to improved physical and emotional health. We’ve found that our most successful clients attend support groups regularly. Video enabled attendance is available. Patients can access remotely and join from any video-enabled device (smart phone, iPad, laptop, or webcam/desktop). Upon registering, you will receive instructions on how to virtually connect. There is no charge to attend this class.
Read More About Bariatric Surgery Virtual Support Group
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Is Bariatric Surgery Right for You?
You’ve likely heard about bariatric surgery — and perhaps even have friends who’ve done it. But is it a potential solution for you? Here, Dawn Remme, RN, Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Program Manager, provides insight. You may have been struggling with excess weight for years. You’ve tried high-protein diets, low-carb diets and more. Most patients considering weight loss surgery have tried numerous dieting methods. The truth is, some patients who suffer with obesity are successful dieters. Unfortunately though, excess weigh often returns. This impacts their health and the quality of their life. It can be a disheartening battle. Weight loss surgery is a big decision. In making this decision, keep in mind that surgery is only one step toward your goal of achieving better health. It is neither magic, nor is it the “easy way out.” Weight loss surgery can offer you a TOOL to help you become more successful in controlling the disease of morbid obesity. By combining this tool with a lifelong commitment to important lifestyle changes, medical follow-up and nutritional modifications, you have the potential to become a healthier you. Bariatric Surgery By the Numbers Exploring the facts about obesity, how it impacts your health, and how surgery can resolve or significantly improve your chronic medical conditions is the first step to making a decision. Obesity is medically defined as “excess body fat” and is measured by a mathematical ratio known as the Body Mass Index (BMI). To calculate your BMI, we consider your height, weight, age, gender and body build. Here are the standards: “Normal” BMI: less than 25 Overweight: 25 – 29.9 Obese: BMI of 30 – 39.9 Morbid obesity: BMI of 40 or more Morbid obesity (BMI over 40) is a lifelong, progressive disease, and the prevalence of morbidly obese Americans (100 or more pounds over a healthy weight) is increasing rapidly. According to the CDC, the disease of obesity affects 78 million Americans. Further estimates indicate about 24 million have morbid obesity. Serious medical problems known as co-morbidities often occur when someone is morbidly obese. Studies tell us conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and degenerative arthritis increase in severity as the BMI is increasing in patients. When may weight loss surgery be an option? When someone has a BMI greater then 40. If a person’s BMI is 35 – 39.9 and they have significant health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or other diagnosed health conditions related to obesity. Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass Explained To resolve or significantly reduce these health conditions, bariatric surgery can be done when diet and exercise haven’t worked. Weight loss surgery makes changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight. The gastric sleeve limits how much you can eat, whereas gastric bypass limits how much you can eat and reduces the absorption of certain nutrients. Other Benefits of Surgery You can greatly increase life expectancy by resolving or significantly improving conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and obesity itself. Infertility can also be positively affected. A significant weight loss and relief from serious health conditions and diseases will greatly improve your quality of life. Studies tell us that type 2 diabetes is resolved or significantly improved in 84 percent of patients following bariatric surgery. Cholesterol levels dropped in 95 percent of patients. And hypertension and sleep apnea showed improvement in 68 and 80 percent of patients, respectively, following bariatric surgery. Bariatric Surgery at Renown In making the decision to move forward to better health, it is important to remember: Obesity is a disease, and the desire to have a healthier, longer, more fulfilling life is possible. If you are interested in learning more, please visit the Bariatric Surgery Program page to view more information about Renown Regional Medical Center’s MBSAQIP accredited bariatric program, as well as information about upcoming educational seminars. Or call 775-982-RSVP (7787) to reserve your seat. Learn More
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Stroke Survival as a Warrior – Kimi's Story
It seemed like a normal Wednesday, except Kimi Woolsey was feeling really stressed. On Sept. 4, 2019 she was rushing to get ready for an appointment when suddenly, she could not feel her legs. Kimi immediately knew something was wrong and called out to her fiancé, Paul, for help. After seeing a bright light in her right eye, she felt a severe, sharp pain in her head traveling down into her leg. Paul quickly called 911, the EMT’s arrived and her stroke survival journey began. At first the medical team thought she had a complicated migraine, but one of them suspected a stroke. On the way to the hospital Kimi felt numbness and her face drooping, then instantly, no pain. For a moment she thought she was dying, going from pain to numbness and realizing she couldn’t move or speak. Kimi didn’t know she was having another massive stroke in transit. Each year nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stroke, or “brain attack” – that’s one every 40 seconds. Of those, about 75% occur in people over age 65. However, at only 45 years old, Kimi is proof that a stroke can happen at any age. Stroke Survival Begins for Kimi Upon arriving at the emergency department of Renown Regional Medical Center the Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center team went into action. Kimi received a brain MRI, then was wheeled into surgery for a thrombectomy (clot removal). She was in the intensive care unit for 11 days. She remembers someone telling her, “Generally people don’t survive this magnitude of stroke.” And a doctor saying, “You are here for a reason.” Kimi’s comeback journey began with the comprehensive care team at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. “Literally I had the best day of my life that first day there…I was so happy because I couldn’t imagine being in a safer place with people that literally live for you,” she recalls. During her 41 days there, her biggest milestone was being able to get out of bed and walk. For Kimi the support she felt at the rehab hospital was key to her progress, ”I still feel loved and appreciated and they’re rooting for me still and I can feel it.” Although she left the rehab hospital on Oct. 18, 2019, she is still working on improving the left side of her body. Currently Kimi works with therapists in outpatient physical rehabilitation sessions, continuing to see improvement in both her hand and leg. Her advice to those currently in a rehab hospital setting is, “Stay as long as you can to get the most out of it and push, push, push.” Kimi’s Stroke Survival as a Warrior “Having a stroke is not for the faint of heart,” says Kimi. She experienced despair and felt discouraged. Many days she would ask herself, “Why am I here?” Today she proudly calls herself a stroke warrior and refuses to be a victim of her stroke. Alongside her tenacious spirit, Kimi actively helps others on their stroke survival journey. Before her stroke she never dreamed of starting a non-profit foundation. Now, each day you’ll find her texting inspiration to others, offering advice and connecting with other struggling stroke survivors on her Facebook page, Stroke Warrior Recovery Coach. Her goal is to become the person she needed to talk to after her stroke; she currently coaches several stroke survivors. “Stroke survivors need to know that they aren’t alone. Mental support and encouragement are so important for each person’s stroke journey,” Kimi said. Along with the physical changes, Kimi feels the stroke magnified her empathy. “I was always in a hurry in my life. People didn’t go fast enough for me – on the road, at the grocery store, in a line. Now I have more patience with myself and others." Kimi realizes most people cannot wrap their brain around the concept of a stroke. In fact, the brain fog, physical challenges and frustration are hard to explain… unless you’ve experienced them. “You need to find your tribe,” she explains. “I have a passion for helping people through this process.” Most of all, she encourages people to keep going and never stop. After her stroke, Kimi has a greater appreciation for her family, health and life. She is one of the patients featured in the current “Fight The Good Fight” trauma and physical rehab advertising campaign. “I wake up every day and fight,” she asserts. “Each day you have to fight for your recovery and fight for yourself.”