Dr. Liza María Pompa
By Angelica Gavaldon
Dr. Liza María Pompa is a renowned bariatric surgeon and the founder and director of LIMARP, International Center of Excellence for Obesity in Tijuana. Patients travel from all over the world to see her. She has performed over 3,000 bariatric surgeries and is the author of How Much Does Your Life Weigh. She changes lives and inspires women to never stop learning. As I like to say, the more you know, the more you grow and can help others. In addition to her work life, she is a dedicated daughter and mother. Here she shares with us a day in her life and how it all started:
Rise and Shine
Dr. Pompa starts her day at 5 am by meditating, then answers emails. Around 6 am, she starts making breakfast for her son and makes sure he is ready for online learning. Then at about 7 am, she works out for an hour by either walking or jogging on her treadmill or doing some Ashtanga yoga. She usually only has coffee for breakfast, which is around 8 am.
Mid-Morning Routine
By 8:30 am, Dr. Pompa is already giving consults or attending patients. Surgeries start at 9 am. Dr. Pompa knew she wanted to be a doctor from an early age. In middle school, she realized medicine combined all her favorite subjects. By the time she had to decide on a specialty, she knew she had a talent for surgery. So of course, she became a surgeon. As a surgeon, she has developed leadership skills and a passion for her work, helping people who suffer from obesity to overcome chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes, dangerously high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and other serious health issues. She also wanted to help people recover their health, which is why she founded LIMARP.
Lunch Break
Around noon, she has a smoothie made with lots of veggies and fruits that are low in sugar. Her main meal is around 3 pm. While she sometimes has to eat at work, most of the time she eats at home, where she enjoys a meal with her mother and son for some quality family time. They always cook at home and meals usually consist of a salad with lots of vegetables, protein (either chicken or fish), healthy fats, legumes and a small serving of carbs.
Afternoon Activities
The afternoon consists of being at home, helping her son with homework, and doing her own schoolwork; she is currently working on a master’s degree in management for health. Balancing everything may be challenging, but she sees everything as a privilege and is grateful for every moment. Her family, friends and coworkers have been her support system, while praying helps her remain spiritually and mentally healthy. In her downtime, she also reads a lot and or plays sports, which help her destress. Every now and then, she will play golf or shoot some hoops.
Time to Unwind
At 6 pm, Dr. Pompa has a healthy snack like fruit or a protein bar. She ends her day with stretching exercises for her shoulders and arms. She also had a strict facial routine that helps her reduce the irritation from wearing a mask all day. She likes to use a medical-grade diffuser, which helps her relax and breathe better at night. At the end of the evening, she goes to sleep on alert in case of a work call – medical emergencies do not have a bedtime.
Dr. Pompa embodies what it is to be driven and passionate, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. If she can do it, you can too!
