One of the most difficult things in life is trying to achieve one’s goals, more so for women in a male dominated field. This is the story of Dr. Michelle Bernadette Lim-Loo whose driven and passionate attitude helped her attain her goal of being a Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon. The field of bariatric and metabolic surgery is focused on weight-loss procedures to help aid patients suffering from obesity and diabetes, both of which are increasing in number within the populace.
One of the factors that heightened Dr. Lim-Loo’s interest in the field of bariatric surgery was because of his brother who was obese and eventually developed diabetes. It was through her firsthand experience with obesity and diabetes which inspired Dr. Lim-Loo to undergo training as a bariatric and metabolic surgeon to help her brother, and at the same time try to increase its practice in the country given that there are only a handful of bariatric and metabolic surgeries being done locally. Additionally, Dr. Lim-Loo saw a need to cultivate the practice of advanced laparoscopic surgeries in the Philippines, a less invasive form of surgery compared with open surgeries wherein only small incisions are made and a viewing tube (laparoscope) is used to view the inside of the abdomen while doing a procedure. Laparoscopic approach is one of the current trends in bariatric and metabolic surgeries; hence, learning it was very important for Dr. Lim-Loo.
Given that there is limited practice of laparoscopic surgeries in the Philippines, Dr. Lim-Loo knew that she had to undergo training abroad, specifically Taiwan. For one year, Dr. Lim-Loo was under the tutelage of one of Asia’s most renowned bariatric surgeons, Dr. Chih-kun Huang from the Body Science and Metabolic Disorders International Medical Center (BMIMC), at China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, Taiwan. Dr. Lim-Loo’s fellowship training included hands-on surgeries, clinics, ward rounds, didactics, and research. During her fellowship training, there was an average of 10-15 surgeries per week for a total of about 300 various cases in that hospital.
Dr. Lim-Loo says that among the challenges during her training were being homesick, the cold climate, the language barrier, and being underestimated because of her age and gender. However difficult, she overcame these challenges through her own perseverance in proving herself, the support of her family and new found friends in the unfamiliar environment she was in. Dr. Lim-Loo was able to complete several research papers and publications in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery and is now a surgery hospitalist in Providence Hospital Inc.
She is very grateful to God, her husband, her parents and in-laws, friends, and the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. who all believed in her potential and walked with her in her journey to success. Dr. Lim-Loo aims to give back to the community and help the Filipino people with her knowledge in order to help the development of medical practice in the Philippines, increasing awareness in obesity and diabetes as well as managing them especially after failed attempts of diet and exercise. Through her enhanced skills and improved services to her patients, she wants to inspire others to go beyond what the country could offer them by offering themselves for the good of the country instead.
Given that there is limited practice of laparoscopic surgeries in the Philippines, Dr. Lim-Loo knew that she had to undergo training abroad, specifically Taiwan. For one year, Dr. Lim-Loo was under the tutelage of one of Asia’s most renowned bariatric surgeons, Dr. Chih-kun Huang from the Body Science and Metabolic Disorders International Medical Center (BMIMC), at China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, Taiwan. Dr. Lim-Loo’s fellowship training included hands-on surgeries, clinics, ward rounds, didactics, and research. During her fellowship training, there was an average of 10-15 surgeries per week for a total of about 300 various cases in that hospital.
Dr. Lim-Loo says that among the challenges during her training were being homesick, the cold climate, the language barrier, and being underestimated because of her age and gender. However difficult, she overcame these challenges through her own perseverance in proving herself, the support of her family and new found friends in the unfamiliar environment she was in. Dr. Lim-Loo was able to complete several research papers and publications in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery and is now a surgery hospitalist in Providence Hospital Inc.
She is very grateful to God, her husband, her parents and in-laws, friends, and the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. who all believed in her potential and walked with her in her journey to success. Dr. Lim-Loo aims to give back to the community and help the Filipino people with her knowledge in order to help the development of medical practice in the Philippines, increasing awareness in obesity and diabetes as well as managing them especially after failed attempts of diet and exercise. Through her enhanced skills and improved services to her patients, she wants to inspire others to go beyond what the country could offer them by offering themselves for the good of the country instead.
RSS Feed