Paula is the physician assistant (PA) to Drs. Mattar and Selzer and has been with Clarian Bariatrics since July 2008. She follows up on post-surgical patients at one to two weeks, three months and nine months on Fridays, and helps Dr. Mattar during his clinic hours on Mondays and Tuesdays. A graduate of Marian College and Butler University, Paula sums up her job as "to serve, educate and help patients in any way I can." She is married with three children, and enjoys traveling, hiking and reading. Paula is the physician assistant (PA) to Drs. Mattar and Selzer and has been with Clarian Bariatrics since July 2008. She follows up on post-surgical patients at one to two weeks, three months and nine months on Fridays, and helps Dr. Mattar during his clinic hours on Mondays and Tuesdays. A graduate of Marian College and Butler University, Paula sums up her job as "to serve, educate and help patients in any way I can." She is married with three children, and enjoys traveling, hiking and reading. I have heard more than one time from a patient that they “have something wrong with them." When I ask them what, I am frequently shown a clavicle, which is up by your shoulder and in a person with a normal BMI this bone will be visible. Other times it is a portion of the breastbone medically called the sternum that has become visible.
These are body parts that have not been noticeable for some time in our patients and as they have so many changes taking place in the bodies, when a visible hard “lump” appears of course you would think something is “not right." I am always happy to get to tell them it is a GOOD sign and encourage them to keep up the good work!
Do you have a "wow" moment you would like to share? Then leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
These are body parts that have not been noticeable for some time in our patients and as they have so many changes taking place in the bodies, when a visible hard “lump” appears of course you would think something is “not right." I am always happy to get to tell them it is a GOOD sign and encourage them to keep up the good work!
Do you have a "wow" moment you would like to share? Then leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
Previously, I wrote about how patients feel that they have an abundance of energy post operatively and part of that is of course due to their weight loss; however, another reason for such a dramatic change in energy may be in part that they are sleeping better.
A more restful, sound sleep will definitely allow you to awaken feeling more refreshed, and energized. Many patients tell me they are sleeping better once they have lost weight and are surprised that their obesity affected their sleep.
Then there are patients who are on C-PAP at night to sleep and as they loose weight, they are able to come off the C-PAP. This group is aware that their sleeping issues are a result of obesity related problems and are so relieved to watch their health improve as a benefit of their weight loss surgery.
Want to learn more about how weight loss surgery can change your life? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar. Click here for more information.
A more restful, sound sleep will definitely allow you to awaken feeling more refreshed, and energized. Many patients tell me they are sleeping better once they have lost weight and are surprised that their obesity affected their sleep.
Then there are patients who are on C-PAP at night to sleep and as they loose weight, they are able to come off the C-PAP. This group is aware that their sleeping issues are a result of obesity related problems and are so relieved to watch their health improve as a benefit of their weight loss surgery.
Want to learn more about how weight loss surgery can change your life? Then join us at a FREE informational seminar. Click here for more information.
I see post bariatric surgery patients several times a week at Clarian Bariatrics as a physician assistant to Dr. Samer Mattar, and Dr. Don Selzer. During my visits, I have the privilege of hearing how we have changed our patients’ lives. I wanted to share with you a few of the things I hear from our weight loss patients all the time!
The most frequently made comment is about the increase in energy that almost all of our patients have. Prior to obesity surgery the majority of our patients’, complain about how fatigued they are. They have no energy to get through day-to-day life. Cooking, cleaning, chasing children all of it is more exhausting than their energy allows.
Post surgical patients are amazed, thrilled, and grateful for the change in their energy levels. Not only are they now able to do all the day-to-day chores of life but since they have had their bariatric surgery they have an abundance of energy for all of the fun and entertaining things they missed out on before.
Are you ready to reclaim your life with weight loss surgery? Then join us at a FREE informational session where you can learn about Indianapolis bariatric treatment options and meet with Indiana surgeons. Click on the image at the right of this post for more information.
The most frequently made comment is about the increase in energy that almost all of our patients have. Prior to obesity surgery the majority of our patients’, complain about how fatigued they are. They have no energy to get through day-to-day life. Cooking, cleaning, chasing children all of it is more exhausting than their energy allows.
Post surgical patients are amazed, thrilled, and grateful for the change in their energy levels. Not only are they now able to do all the day-to-day chores of life but since they have had their bariatric surgery they have an abundance of energy for all of the fun and entertaining things they missed out on before.
Are you ready to reclaim your life with weight loss surgery? Then join us at a FREE informational session where you can learn about Indianapolis bariatric treatment options and meet with Indiana surgeons. Click on the image at the right of this post for more information.
In my last blog post, I talked about how happy our Indiana post-bariatric surgery patients are about the excess energy they have. This time I want to talk about some of the more entertaining comments I have heard.
For most of us to tie our shoes is not an exciting thing, it is commonplace and does not give us any cause for celebration. However, I have learned that for a morbidly obese person this is not generally the case.
More than once in my year at Clarian Bariatrics I have heard from a patient how very exciting it is that they are now able to tie their own shoes! Now every time I tie my shoes I get an excitement and joyful feeling that I have helped someone have a reason to celebrate.
For most of us to tie our shoes is not an exciting thing, it is commonplace and does not give us any cause for celebration. However, I have learned that for a morbidly obese person this is not generally the case.
More than once in my year at Clarian Bariatrics I have heard from a patient how very exciting it is that they are now able to tie their own shoes! Now every time I tie my shoes I get an excitement and joyful feeling that I have helped someone have a reason to celebrate.
I get asked many times about post-surgical pain. Some weight loss surgery patients are amazed at how great they feel, while others ask me why nobody warned them they would be in so much pain.
Unfortunately, we have no way of predicting YOUR post-surgical pain. We give pain medication in the hospital including the On-Q pain relief ball attached to your upper most incision site through two catheters. Bariatric weight loss patients are also given a liquid pain medication for home use following discharge from the hospital.
Abdominal pain or tenderness, especially at the larger incisions, is common since these incisions have stitches through the muscle. Most morbid obesity surgery patients feel it especially while moving, bending or while turning in bed.
This is common and can last for about one to two weeks. It will, however, improve gradually on a daily basis. Most patients feel tired for up to four to six weeks due to residual anesthetic and the healing process. This is why we ask you not to exercise until after this period following surgery.
Unfortunately, we have no way of predicting YOUR post-surgical pain. We give pain medication in the hospital including the On-Q pain relief ball attached to your upper most incision site through two catheters. Bariatric weight loss patients are also given a liquid pain medication for home use following discharge from the hospital.
Abdominal pain or tenderness, especially at the larger incisions, is common since these incisions have stitches through the muscle. Most morbid obesity surgery patients feel it especially while moving, bending or while turning in bed.
This is common and can last for about one to two weeks. It will, however, improve gradually on a daily basis. Most patients feel tired for up to four to six weeks due to residual anesthetic and the healing process. This is why we ask you not to exercise until after this period following surgery.
Many patients ask me what is a Physician Assistant?
Physician assistants, or PAs, are health care professionals licensed by the federal government. We are credentialed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of our comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery and write prescriptions.
Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA's practice may also include education, research and administrative services.
Do you have a question about bariatric weight loss, weight loss surgery, causes of obesity, morbid obesity surgery or obesity medical problems? Then leave me a comment below and I will be more than happy to answer them for you!
Physician assistants, or PAs, are health care professionals licensed by the federal government. We are credentialed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of our comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery and write prescriptions.
Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA's practice may also include education, research and administrative services.
Do you have a question about bariatric weight loss, weight loss surgery, causes of obesity, morbid obesity surgery or obesity medical problems? Then leave me a comment below and I will be more than happy to answer them for you!
Powered by Compendium Blogware