Dispelling the Myth of Guilt and Shame: Embracing the Positives from Your Previous Life as a Bariatric Patient
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Insights from our Reconstruct Community Members and Medical Specialists
Meet our regular Contributors
Registered Bariatric Dietitian
Nicola Drabble
Nicola Drabble has been practising as a dietitian since 2001, and as a specialist in bariatric surgery, obesity, metabolic diseases of lifestyle and gastroenterology since 2008. She loves this field of medicine as it is a marriage of her two passions – surgery and obesity / diseases of lifestyle. She regularly competes in endurance sports such as triathlons, multistage mountain bike races, road cycling and running. She is a mother of two, and has a passion for travelling, dancing and (of course) food!
Business woman on her bariatric journey
Brenda Thambe
Brenda is a powerhouse businesswoman, the owner of MUD South Africa and Smink Emporium. She is passionate about empowering women by boosting their self-confidence and bravery through make-up. She had a SADI procedure in 2022 and is a passionate advocate for bariatric surgery in South Africa. When she gets a chance to take a break from business, she enjoys exercising with her husband or going for a massage or pedicure. She rarely misses a Sunday church service and her three nieces are the apples of her eye.
Counselling Psychologist
Amorie Burns
Amorie has been in private practice since 2016. She completed her masters in psychology at the University of Pretoria and is currently the psychologist on a number of bariatric surgery teams in Pretoria. She values education and has assisted as a guest lecturer at the University of Pretoria. She prides herself in matters relating to Health Psychology. She is also a wife, and mother to two young children.
Founder / Life Coach
Dr. Marietjie Strauss
Marietjie founded Reconstruct Community to help guide bariatric patients to reconstruct not just their bodies, but also their minds and their lives through bariatric surgery. As a life coach, she is passionate to guide people in discovering who they are and what they want out of life. She loves going on adventures and making memories with her husband and three sons.
Communication specialist on her bariatric journey
Mari Lee
Mari is a world class communication specialist, and founded her company, DevCom, in 2005. She is a mom to two boys, a partner and friend, and active in many community circles. As a registered wellness counsellor, she knows the importance of identity, the pillars of a fulfilling life, and the value of health. She contributes here as a bariatric patient with experience in all facets of life.