Dare to Dream: A "Center" for Success for Life

If you could "design" a place (bricks & mortar) that would provide services specifically targeted toward the needs of WLS graduates (working definition of >/= 1 year post-op) what services would you include (see suggestions below), and assuming that insurance would not cover the cost how much would you be willing to pay (see below)? Services:   Behavior Modification (replacing negative behaviors with postive ones)     Group/Individual Support   Exercise (led by liscensed professionals)     Group (at various fitness levels)     Personal Training     Strength Training     Aerobic Equipment (treadmills, bikes, that step thing that I use as a drying rack)   Food (led by chef/nutrition specialist)     Cooking Class (specific nutritional component focused on preparing/presenting delicious, healthy food)     Cooking Demonstrations     How to Eat in Public     Portions and Choices     Identifying Hunger vs. Food as medicator   Self Image (led by psychologist/social worker/image consultant where appropriate)     Love Yourself through success and challenges     Loving the New You does not mean that the Old You was defective     Emerging or re-emerging into community     Learning to look in the mirror     Relationships (spouse, sex, family, friends, co-workers, sabotagers, etc.)     Success is empowering:  how not to kick the ass of the entire universe and learn to accept those around you     Dress for Success      Make-up/Hair      OTHERS? Make suggestions...'k? Costs (assume that the "place" is open 7 days/week   Annual Membership fee:    $2500    $2000 -$2499    $1500 - $1999    $1000 - $1499      OTHER Suggestions? Why should you reply?  Every minute of every day for the past 6 years I have made a commitment to successfully navigating the rest of my life post WLS.  In those 6 years I have wished for various levels of support relevant to the moment...and have found some, but not all the resources.  I read about, hear about, and reach out on a daily basis to people who are challenged with navigating their own success.  We all have incredible stories to tell, and the opportunity to make the difference in the lives of others.  I plan to aggregate the resources that I found...and put them in one place, in order to make a lasting difference in the lives of WLS post-ops.  Reply now...your help will one day help others. Thank you! Karen                  

    

You covered many of the things that I was thinking. I have found that the "missing link" in wls surgery for me has been therapy (which I'm now working on) b/c I didn't make it to 328lbs by accident~I am an emotional eater and a food addict, so for me having access to a professional that specializes in eating disorders would be at the top of my list. I also agree that focusing on "self image" is very important~learing to love ourselves, put ourselves on the list instead of doing for everyone else all of the time and on a more superficial level figuring out personal style~so many people reach out for help asking "how do you know what to wear now" or "when I go to the store its overwhelming b/c there's so many options and I've never had to deal with that before. I just always purchased the item that fit vs. buying something b/c you like and feel good in it".  I'm not sure price wise. Are you looking at this like a retreat or spa where you would go for a week and just submerge yourself in it completely for a solid week or are you thinking something where you could just come for the day whenever you wanted/needed to with a yearly membership?? Wondering this b/c a yearly membership would be more limiting~great for everyone in your immediate area, but not as accessible to people in other areas of the country.

Thanks for your reply Tracy! No, not a spa or retreat center...my personal experience with those formats is that I make a commitment to good health, exercise, blah, blah, and upon re-entry into the real world I forget everything I learned and committed to. Yes, the idea is to create an actual center with an annual membership. The idea is to start with one, develop the formula for success, and franchise in viable markets throughout the county...and maybe one day throughout the world!  Naturally the franchisee and support service providers would need to understand the sensitivities in and around the WLS experience. Thanks again. Karen

I know what you mean Karen. I think its a great idea. I'm not far from Cleveland so when you get it up and running I'd love to come and check it out!!!!

Oops typo above...I meant franchise in viable markets throughout the COUNTRY...not county! Karen

Sounds great to me! If you opened up in my area I would bust out my Visa in a hearbeat! I think it will be a real growing market in the future. Molly

Awsome! Thanks for your reply! Continued success to you. Karen

Hi Karen!  You have penned everything that I've been thinking about since my surgery 4 years ago (especially the past 3 years).  I am still in a struggle, with almost everything listed.  I attend several support groups throughout Chicago, and some have different formats (one brings in guest speakers ... some of the most interesting topics/speakers have been a plastic surgeon, nutritionists who own a health food store talking about the importance of protein, the lead chef from a restaurant about how to order when eating out, etc.)  I also like meeting the people at these meetings, and as much as I love to help those just starting their journey, I also need the support of others who are where I'm at.  Struggling to get to goal (I think I'm scared of what happens when I get to goal), and then how to maintain (geez, I've never gotten to my weight goal in my life, so maintenance is a new and scary concept for me ... plus, I have a hunch that the world isn't going stop and notice when I do reach goal - like I always thought it would). I always thought that it would be a great idea to have a complete "program" under one roof ... from pre-op nutrition, therapy, and exercise/training through maintenance and plastics (not to mention continued nutrition, therapy and exercise/training).

Just because our bodies change, that doesn't mean our minds have.  I know I tend to withdraw ... sometimes its great to have encouragement, or sometimes just someone reaching out to me when I'm in that mode makes a big difference.  I know others are that way too (I know several people who won't go back to the doc because they're embarrassed that they've gained weight ... I've encouraged a few people to go back anyway, and I think they're happy they did).  I know we're all responsible for our own weight loss, but geez, when I relied just on myself, I ate my way to 350 pounds.   Right now in one of my support groups, I know 3 people who are having marital problems ... and I would love to see more support for significant others/families, or even friends. Otherwise, where do I sign up?  I think I would sign up for it all ... I've been in a weird place (especially the past year and a half).  Now ... thinking about cost.   My insurance no longer pays for any part of my nutritionist (~$200/session), and I have a co-pay and 15% co-insurance for an approved therapist, but I am seeing someone outside my network, which, if I see him every week, would cost about $10,000/yr.  A health club membership/trainer would be at least $100/session for the trainer (and I think I initially would need a trainer AT LEAST once a week, but preferrably more), and maybe a couple hundred a year (? well, I really don't know, working out is still on my "to-do" list). So ... I think $2000 to $2400/year for the package you list (including personal trainer) is pretty reasonable, of course, I'd like to pay less though (but purchasing these things separately is actually more costly). Keep me posted in your quest ...  Karyn 

 

Thanks Karyn. The idea is still in the incubation stage...I expect to have a clear direction, business plan, proof of concept by 1/08...initial investors by 4/08...launch should be no later than 1/09. Starting in Cleveland...maybe the next stop will be the Windy City! You can be the poster girl...'k?

How about adding micronutrients and vitamin supplementation for WLS. This subject facinates me and I have ordered this book called Micronutrition for the Weight Loss Surgery Patient which I think will help me inform my doctor and advocate for myself. Anyway, a few suggestions might be: Micronutrients and dietary guidelines - ie. vegan, dairy intolerant, carb phobic, etc. Forms and doses of vitamins and minerals needed for each type of WLS. (ie - iron as fumerate, carbonate, gluconate, etc and the pros/cons of each type) Advocacy with your PCM or PCP - Before surgery tips & form letters, Suggested labs for your doctor to order and "normal" vs. recommended RNY/DS/Lap Band values. Anyway, I am sure you get the gist. A great idea and I hope that it becomes a national franchise so I can join!