The deserving servant - our own Rita
This amazing story was on the WeightWise E-mail this morning!!! You go Rita!! You inspire us all.....
The deserving servant
by Jodie L. Gutkowski, Marketing/PR Director, Foundation Surgery Affiliates
Meet Rita Phillips … a registered respiratory therapist with Foundation Bariatric Hospital of Oklahoma who is also an eight-month post op bariatric patient.
Rita has worked at FBHOK since the facility opened its doors in January of 2006. At that time she weighed 287 pounds. Although dedicated to her work in healthcare, Rita did not agree with weight loss surgery (WLS) because she had been exposed to patients with bad outcomes at her previous job. She vowed that she would never choose WLS because she thought it was the lazy way out and just too risky. By mid 2007, she changed her mind.
Rita is a trained caregiver and a dutiful daughter. In April 2007, while visiting her aging mother who had overcome many health obstacles related to diabetes and cardiac disease, Rita came to a realization that she didn’t want her own children and grandchildren to witness the same with her.
“I knew at 287 pounds if I didn’t do something soon, this would be my scenario,” Rita stated. “From that day on I did everything I needed to do to get the weight loss surgery process going.”
She knew it would not be easy. With hopes of ridding herself of the constant joint and muscle aches from carrying the extra weight to lowering her high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, Rita found motivation from the happy patients who surrounded her everyday at FBHOK. “After working at Foundation for almost a year and a half, and seeing the wonderful results and few complications, I decided that weight loss surgery was something that I owed to myself.”
In order to meet insurance requirements, Rita had to follow a six-month plan of diet and exercise before she could be considered for surgery. “There were days that I thought my turn would never come. But it was so worth the wait,” Rita expressed.
By December 2007, the wait was over. Rita underwent Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery. She would finally know what it was like to be one of her patients and following her surgery, Rita has gained a new perspective and knowledge of the service needed for her WLS patients. The supportive team at WeightWise who consults her on nutrition, exercise, and behavior modification has become like a new family member in her weight loss journey.
Now, eight months following her surgery, Rita has lost 116 pounds and is enjoying life again.
“My life has changed in so many ways,” she enthusiastically shared. “I have not taken blood pressure or cholesterol medications since the day before surgery. I have more stamina and energy. I go out in public more often. I can enjoy my grandchildren more now. We can play and go to the park, and go shopping all in one day. I attend more social events, and the list goes on and on.”
It’s those WOW moments that now catch her breath. WLS patients refer to WOW moments as events that are common to most of us, but new or rediscovered by successful patients of weight loss. Rita shares one of hers: “This summer I will take my first airplane ride without having to require a seat belt extender.” It’s those little victories that add up and help patients of WeightWise get back to life.
Rita’s journey toward her goal weight continues, but she isn’t doing it alone. The support from her family and friends has been tremendous, not to mention the built-in support of co-workers and the WeightWise team. “I would like to thank God for working in his marvelous ways and bringing Dr. Gregory Walton into my life. For without either one of them I wouldn’t have had this second chance at life that I have today.”
Connect with Rita on ObesityHelp.com here.
Do you have a success story you'd like to share with us? We'd LOVE to hear it! Whether your 10 days post surgery or 10 months or 10 years, your story could inspire other people. Contact us at [email protected] to share your story.
The deserving servant
by Jodie L. Gutkowski, Marketing/PR Director, Foundation Surgery AffiliatesMeet Rita Phillips … a registered respiratory therapist with Foundation Bariatric Hospital of Oklahoma who is also an eight-month post op bariatric patient.Rita has worked at FBHOK since the facility opened its doors in January of 2006. At that time she weighed 287 pounds. Although dedicated to her work in healthcare, Rita did not agree with weight loss surgery (WLS) because she had been exposed to patients with bad outcomes at her previous job. She vowed that she would never choose WLS because she thought it was the lazy way out and just too risky. By mid 2007, she changed her mind.
Rita is a trained caregiver and a dutiful daughter. In April 2007, while visiting her aging mother who had overcome many health obstacles related to diabetes and cardiac disease, Rita came to a realization that she didn’t want her own children and grandchildren to witness the same with her.
“I knew at 287 pounds if I didn’t do something soon, this would be my scenario,” Rita stated. “From that day on I did everything I needed to do to get the weight loss surgery process going.”
She knew it would not be easy. With hopes of ridding herself of the constant joint and muscle aches from carrying the extra weight to lowering her high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, Rita found motivation from the happy patients who surrounded her everyday at FBHOK. “After working at Foundation for almost a year and a half, and seeing the wonderful results and few complications, I decided that weight loss surgery was something that I owed to myself.”
In order to meet insurance requirements, Rita had to follow a six-month plan of diet and exercise before she could be considered for surgery. “There were days that I thought my turn would never come. But it was so worth the wait,” Rita expressed.
By December 2007, the wait was over. Rita underwent Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery. She would finally know what it was like to be one of her patients and following her surgery, Rita has gained a new perspective and knowledge of the service needed for her WLS patients. The supportive team at WeightWise who consults her on nutrition, exercise, and behavior modification has become like a new family member in her weight loss journey.
Now, eight months following her surgery, Rita has lost 116 pounds and is enjoying life again.“My life has changed in so many ways,” she enthusiastically shared. “I have not taken blood pressure or cholesterol medications since the day before surgery. I have more stamina and energy. I go out in public more often. I can enjoy my grandchildren more now. We can play and go to the park, and go shopping all in one day. I attend more social events, and the list goes on and on.”
It’s those WOW moments that now catch her breath. WLS patients refer to WOW moments as events that are common to most of us, but new or rediscovered by successful patients of weight loss. Rita shares one of hers: “This summer I will take my first airplane ride without having to require a seat belt extender.” It’s those little victories that add up and help patients of WeightWise get back to life.
Rita’s journey toward her goal weight continues, but she isn’t doing it alone. The support from her family and friends has been tremendous, not to mention the built-in support of co-workers and the WeightWise team. “I would like to thank God for working in his marvelous ways and bringing Dr. Gregory Walton into my life. For without either one of them I wouldn’t have had this second chance at life that I have today.”
Connect with Rita on ObesityHelp.com here.
Do you have a success story you'd like to share with us? We'd LOVE to hear it! Whether your 10 days post surgery or 10 months or 10 years, your story could inspire other people. Contact us at [email protected] to share your story.
This is the ride of my life.....what an amazing tool I now have!!!
(deactivated member)
on 8/18/08 2:58 am, edited 8/18/08 2:59 am - The beautiful, US Virgin Islands......, XX
on 8/18/08 2:58 am, edited 8/18/08 2:59 am - The beautiful, US Virgin Islands......, XX
You know.... I had a lot of help when I was in the hospital, between Ruth and Rita, those girls made me do the right thing and kept me from straying. Ruth was in my room day and night and when she wasn't there, it as Rita that gave me the riot act when i truly deserved it.
Rita is the one that helped me through the lung issues that caused my horrible fever and she always kept me in a good mood with her particular brand of humor that only guys can sometimes relate to....hehe...
She kept me from sleeping while peeing, (yes, i was sleepy and the bathroom was colder than my room was...lol)...and kept me breathing in that damn machine even when I didn't want to....
Anyway she became a core part of my support network along with a small handful of others that became a part of my family when I needed them. I really appreciate the way she took care of me and I'll never forget her.
Big love...
T.
(deactivated member)
on 8/18/08 10:50 am - VA
on 8/18/08 10:50 am - VA
Rita, what a great story! You certainly have been the sane voice for MANY of us; I know you were for me!
Most Active
Recent Topics
