⏰ Appointment Times: Get the Most from Your Visit | | |
At IWLS, we are committed to providing each patient with the time, attention, and care they deserve. To help us stay on schedule and ensure you receive the full time with your provider, we kindly ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
This allows our team to complete check-in, rooming, and any necessary updates so your provider can begin your visit right on time.
To support all of our patients and keep clinic days running smoothly, we will be implementing a firm appointment policy. Effective immediately, patients arriving 15 minutes or more after their scheduled appointment time will be asked to reschedule.
We understand delays can happen and appreciate your understanding as we work to respect the time of all patients and our care team. Thank you for your partnership in helping us provide the best possible care!
| | Greetings from the IWLS team! In this month’s newsletter: | | |
🆕 Details on Foundayo, another new FDA-approved daily pill for weight loss, as well as Medicare coverage for GLP-1’s
💭 IWLS mental health therapist Patti Hart discusses the emotional side of weight loss surgery
🏆 Our March Madness bracket + April challenge winners!
🌳 Staff picks: where we like to get moving outdoors + farmers market favorites
❓ We want your input! Complete our poll about this newsletter and patient services
✈ Our providers went to the Annual Obesity Medicine Conference in San Diego – check out a picture from their trip
💚 May is Mental Health Awareness Month – Make It OK is a campaign IWLS takes part in to reduce stigma about mental illness
📅 Mark your calendars – join the IWLS team for a community event this summer!
| | OMA Pillars - FDA Approves New Pill for Weight Loss | | |
The Emotional Side of Surgery: Adjusting Beyond the Physical
Patti Hart, LISW
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Many people are surprised to find adjustments after surgery aren’t just physical, but emotional. For years, food may have served as a primary coping strategy – a way to manage stress, numb difficult emotions, celebrate, or simply get through the day. When surgery removes food as an effective option, it can leave a noticeable sense of emptiness, discomfort, or emotional exposure. Without that familiar buffer, feelings that were once softened or avoided may surface more clearly, leaving people unsure how to respond or regulate themselves.
It is common to experience a sense of grief as your relationship with food changes after surgery. Food may have been a source of comfort, predictability, pleasure, or even companionship during difficult moments, and losing that familiar relationship can feel like losing an old friend. You might grieve the rituals, the freedom to eat socially without thinking, or the way food once helped you cope or feel soothed. This grief can show up as sadness, irritability, longing, or even resentment, and it often catches people off guard. This is a normal part of the adjustment process and not a sign of failure.
Post-op coping often involves learning to pause, identify what you’re actually feeling, and experiment with new tools such as movement, journaling, connection with others, relaxation techniques, creative outlets, or self-compassion practices. Over time, developing a broader set of coping skills can lead to greater emotional resilience, a stronger sense of self, and healthier ways of meeting emotional needs beyond food. With time and support, many people find that while their relationship with food is forever different, it makes room for new sources of comfort, connection, and meaning that support both emotional and physical well-being.
If you find yourself struggling or feeling unsure how to navigate these emotional changes, scheduling an appointment with one of our mental health therapists can provide guidance, support, and tools during this adjustment period.
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Challenge Winners
This month, we have winners for TWO contests to announce! Unfortunately, there is no new challenge for May, but be on the lookout for one next month (hint: it will be geared toward physical activity, so break out those sneakers).
🏀 Congrats to the top three performers in the IWLS March Madness bracket:
🥇 Chad C.
🥈 Tracy A.
🥉 Tim M.
🥦🍇 Congrats to John N., our winner of April’s fruit and vegetable challenge!
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re proud to participate in the Make It OK campaign - a movement dedicated to reducing stigma and starting conversations about mental health. Make It OK encourages open dialogue, understanding, and support for those experiencing mental health challenges.
If you’re visiting the clinic in May, we invite you to join us in “Chalk the Town Green” where we will fill the sidewalk out front with uplifting messages, hopeful words, and positive artwork using green chalk. It’s a simple, creative way to spread encouragement and remind others they’re not alone. You can also do this at home and tag the campaign on social media with #MakeItOKIowa.
On May 14, we will celebrate “Wear Green Day.” By wearing green, you show your support for mental health awareness and help spark meaningful conversations in our community.
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This month, we asked the team:
- Where do you like to get moving outdoors as the weather gets warmer?
- What is your favorite thing to do or buy at the farmers market?
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“Sands volleyball club!”
“Flowers!”
Jordan Leu, Supervisor, DSM Clinic
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“I like waking up earlier to walk/bike my kids to daycare. I can get 10k steps just from walking to and from daycare.”
“The cherry pineapple smoothie from Sister Smooth at the Ames Farmers Market.”
Bailie Ryen, Dietitian, Telehealth
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“Raccoon River Park, Gray’s Lake, and attending the grandkids’ sporting events.”
“Veggies, flowers, and homemade salsa.”
Chris Mallen, Medical Secretary, Des Moines Clinic
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“Definitely a lake guy, but also love going for runs on the trails.”
“I’m a sucker for a loaf of sourdough or any kind of apple treat.”
Derek Groathouse, Dietitian, Ames Clinic
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“I gravitate to lakes for paddleboarding for summer activity.”
“I typically choose vegetables at farmers markets. And I like simply walking around seeing what’s there!”
Kathryn Flynn, Dietitian, DSM Clinic
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“Walking outside on the trails around Saylorville Lake or Big Creek. Really looking forward to kayaking at Big Creek as well.”
“Flowers! I love all the beautiful flower arrangements you can get at the Des Moines Farmers Market.”
Maria Decker, Provider, Ames Clinic
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“I love going to the Downtown Farmers market and getting a bunch of fresh veggies and flowers!”
DeeDee Eilbert, Medical Secretary, DSM Clinic
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“As the weather gets warmer, I feel HOPE that the cold, dark yuck of winter is gone, and HAPPINESS as the sun shines down on me. There is nothing like feeling the warm hug of the sunshine, hearing the birds sing, and smelling fresh cut grass. I love being out on the lake (Saylorville or Big Creek), either with friends on their boat, in our kayaks, or fishing. I also like to spend time in my garden, seeing what is poking up out of the dirt, what is blooming, and to touch and smell the fresh herbs.”
“Farmers market – seeing all the dogs out, and the fresh breads and exotic vegetables that are available.”
LeAnn Hindman, Provider, DSM Clinic
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What do YOU Want to See?
In case you missed it last month – we posted a new patient poll asking for YOUR feedback. Please take just 1-2 minutes to complete it HERE.
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Happenings
✈ Several IWLS providers traveled to San Diego last month for OMA’s Annual Obesity Medicine conference. Pictured are IWLS providers (left to right): Maria Decker, LeAnn Hindman, Lynzy Devary, Javier Lisboa, and Julie Yount.
👟 Join the IWLS team for a community event this summer – mark your calendars for the evening of Friday, August 7th, and be on the lookout for more details.
💻 Connect with peers and dietitian Kathryn Flynn RDN in our virtual support group. Email connections@iowaweightloss.com to sign up. Upcoming sessions via Zoom:
🎙 Check out the latest episodes of the Well-ISH Podcast below. Available via YouTube or your favorite podcast app:
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Fresh Reads - IWLS Blogs
Want to catch up on the latest topics on weight loss, nutrition, exercise, and more? Visit our website and read our blogs for even more helpful tips and information.
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IowaWeightLoss.com
515-327-2000
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