My fight against fat

Those of you that know me, know that my love of great food is well represented in the proportions of my own human anatomy. Recently, as I have crossed the age of forty, my weight has become a bigger factor leading to some serious health problems: sleep apnea, elevated blood pressure and high tryglicerides are the primary villains.

A month ago, during a visit with my primary care physician, I heard some words that troubled me greatly. They were something to this affect:

"If you don't make some serious lifestyle changes, there is a greater than 50% chance that you could have a cardiac event that will end your life in the next few years."

I left that appointment knowing both that I wanted to live and that I to make a change in my life.

With that statement, my doctor and I began to discuss my options, one of which was referral to a bariatric surgeon. The morning after the words of dread were spoken, I found myself awaking early to attend an orientation session at the "Wish Center", the bariatric surgery center for Provena Hospital in Aurora.

It was an interesting morning. At first I felt good because, among the attendees, I was the healthiest of the crowd. One man there easily weighed 700 pounds.

We met several clients of the center, many of whom had spectacular weight loss stories to tell. Many of these folks looked like the kind of person who has been thin all his life. The presentation was about an hour and covered two types of bariatric surgery available:

1. The classic gastric bypass where one's stomach is cut from the size of a football to the size of a golf ball, with the small intestine rerouted from the stomach to the lower large intestine for the purpose of bypassing much of the calorie absorption process by the body.

2. The lap band procedure where a band is place around the stomach justb below the esophogus creating a pouch that is roughly the size of a golf ball inhibiting the amount of food you can eat.

I hear enough to peak my interest. So, I set an appointment to come back and spend a day with them being further introduced to their program.

My plan is to use this thread as sort of a journal to take those of you who are interested in learning more about my journey to better health through weight loss.

Below is a picture taken of me the same day of the doctor's appointment at which I learned my possible future fate. I'm officially 5'9" 328 pounds as of that day. This is the equivalent of 2x my recommended body weight.

Will,

I guess the stomach surgery is a reasonable option if that's the only way to lose the weight...but gosh, it seems like messing with your guts may have some unwanted side effects (not being a doctor, of course, I have little sense of what those problems might be, and I'm sure you're somewhat wary). But hey, it's working fine for Al Roker.

I'm a little too large to fit in some of my favorite pants, so I'm trying to drop a few pounds myself. I've cut out alcohol during the week, which reduces my weekly caloric intake by a few thousand calories, and I've been to the gym every day this week, though I've got a ways to go before I can wear my pants without secretly releasing the top button.

Best of luck to you -- I'll be watching for your journal entries.

Hammond

There is definitely risk, Hammond. No ifs, no ands, no buts. It is a decision that I will make over the course of the next three months while I meet the three month supervised diet rule that my health care provider requires me to go through.

So, please come along for the ride. Hopefully, others considering it, will gain something from my journal whether I decide to go through with this or not.

Considered South Beach? Really.

I checked into this same subject at our local bariatric facility here in South Bend. I learned that for many people the pre-surgery program can be effective enough that surgery is not necessary. I'm going to my first appt. today.

Best of luck to you Will! Just like many others this time of year, I'm making an effort to a lifestyle change, incorporating healthier options and behaviors in order to achieve my health goals. Your thread will definitely keep me motivated and I appreciate you sharing your journey.

~ Joan

Considered South Beach? Really.

Sure have. Lost lots of weight on it and put what I lost and more back on. Unfortunately for me, it's become more of a matter of protecting my long term health than just losing a few pounds.

One of the problems for me in terms of weight gain, Snark, is my professional life. I travel a good bit and eat out with clients for lunch or dinner at least twice a week. For my clients, lunch of dinner out usually means Gibsons or Mortons...maybe Fogo.

For example, I was in New York the first three days of this week. I'm a bit diasppointed in myself because I didn't stick to my pre-sugery diet (which i'll tell you a bit more about in a few days) while I was there. I'm making myself pay for my indiscretions with a couple of days of protein drinks in place of solid food meals.

In the past month, I have dropped 11 pounds from my 328 pound starting point. As Bruce says, there are some people who benefit so much from the presurgery diet and exercise program that they don't need to have the surgery. As to whether I am one of those people, time will tell.

Snark wrote:Considered South Beach? Really.

It's highly unlikely that a person considering major surgery as a weight loss option would be successful using the South Beach diet. For the majority of people diets just do not work. A complete lifestyle change is the only way, as many doctors will attest, to successful weight loss and healthy living.

I know two people who have had the gastric bypass surgery. Since you are considering it, you must know the risks and I won't scare you with some of the post-op issues that may arise.

However, if you have never considered a nutritionist and/or counselor in regard to your food issues, I'd highly recommend it before committing to the surgery.

I know this is ridiculous, but I'm really inspired by the celebrity fit club on VH1. Watching it reinforces the idea that one can lose weight with extensive support, healthy eating, and exercise. Now, if we all could have Harvey pushing us to exercise we all would be in better shape.

This does not lead me to believe, however, that the surgical options are not necessary for some.

Good luck and good for you for talking/writing about it.

Will, thanks for sharing this with us. I look forward to seeing the slimmer you soon (will you still buy girl scout cookies? )

Like you and the others above, I've been trying to nail the fat that surrounds me too in 2006. I've been formulating a post in my head of late on why I stay fat--I know all about how to be thin(er) as I read all the literature. On top of that, I exercise pretty regularly. I used to think that one day, I'd finally lose the weight and then get rich on selling my formula. Now, I realize I may know more how to keep the weight on than to take it off. So, I look forward to hearing how it works for you.

Anyways, here's a bit of my theory:

Our bodies today our the results of our entire lifetimes of eating. When we go on South Beach or Atkins or whatever, we tend to think that things start anew, and perhaps end anew when the diet is "complete". I think that short term view is a problem. I believe I am fat not because day in day out I eat too much or too much carbs or too many high glycemic carbs or too much fat or too much whatever. Over time, though, I have had too many days where I've packed it in, and not enough days that I've packed it out. I believe that one long day one the line at Fogo de Chao can overcome many days of decent eating.

Which gets me to my next problem/insight. Damn the buffet. Surely, we have some instinct, some latent hormone in our bodies that goes back to the days of food scarcity. It tells us, when food's there, gobble up. You never know when the next mastadon will get stuck in the thorns. And when I'm at a buffet, I cannot help but eat like a pig. I knoiw it is partially that instinct that sez, gorge while the food's in front.

And if it's not the buffet, it's the party. I know too many gosh darn times, I've gone to a coctail party and eaten 10,000 calories worth of cheese cubes and peanuts. Often, this gets done because the best place it socialize is around the table. You chat and you nibble. Next thing you know, dinner plans are out and your liver aches. Again, a few of these efforts overshadows several days of decent eating and exercise.

Good luck Will!

I think that's an insightful post, VI, and I learned something from it. I'm not obese, but the thirty pounds that I'm too fat by (I'm 225, should be 195) are causing "minor" health problems like sleep apnea, high cholesterol, restless leg syndrome due to poor circulation, too-high fasting glucose numbers, and God knows what else. And I'm really trying--really I am--exercising vigorously at the gym twice a week, walking, eating sensibly most of the time (or so I believe), etc. But those times I'm not sensible are probably more frequent than I imagine, and probably enough to undo all the good, like you say.

I was already overweight when I got pregnant and that led to gestational diabetes. I had to go on a diabetic diet. At first it was hard, but I learned to modify it here and there to make it liveable. During a pragnancy it is normal to gain about 20 lbs. On the day I went in for my c-section I weighed 15 pounds less than when I went to my first doctor appointment!. So after I had the baby I weighed about 50 pounds less! My daughter is 1 and I have lost another 30 just by maintaining this diet and being mildly active. PM me if you want details. Either way really research having surgery. I personally know 2 people who had serious complications and my sisters ex died from complications from gastric bypass ( if that's even the one you were thinking of having)

Personally, the diabetic diet (developed by a credentialed REGISTERED DIETITIAN in consultation with YOUR PHYSICIAN) is probably the best way to go. I have had several friends lose 100+ pounds and maintain the new weight. However, to do that required a serious support structure that a lot of people do NOT have.

On the other hand, I have two neighbors who have had gastric bypass surgery who have done very well and have seen a number of the chronic symptoms of diabetes and obesity subside.

As for complications of gastric bypass potentially being fatal, consider one point. The complications of diabetes and obesity (i.e., heart disease, kidney failure, amputations, blindness, etc.) are ALSO potentially fatal. Cardiac bypass surgery, although widely accepted, is ALSO potentially fatal. Even when it is successful, cardiac bypass surgery carries some pretty serious emotional baggage.

In Will's case (as in mine) we are not talking about people who are 30 lbs overweight and want to fit in their smaller clothes. We are talking about a serious medical issue that needs to be addressed.

Will, I have been looking at the surgery myself for the past few months (under the table) as my wife is not sold on the idea. If you are interested in talking about it, please PM me and I will give you a call.

This overeating thing is a tough problem to deal with. An alcoholic or drug addict can avoid their substance of choice. It is hard to do the same with food.

After my visit today, I am more hopeful than my previous nutritional consulations (She is cuter than the others. ) but I really like her personality too.

In addition to your specific health issues Will, I can add diabetes and a "foie gras" liver too. My need for insulin has been steadily climbing over the past couple of years. Fortunately, I started a new medication that has side effect of suppressing appetite. The result has been a 9 lb weight loss since Nov. 11 without my effort. But I know I need the behavioral/lifestyle change also with more exercise.

I commited $4000 to my flexible benefit plan this year to make my health better. I'm on 17 medications plus fish oil and aspirin. If I can make the behavior change over the next year, I can probably take a nice vacation just by eliminating a few medications. I am also committing to no more Italian Beef desserts from Al's on Taylor on the way home after having lunch/dinner with Gwiv.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their ideas suggestions about becoming healthier. At the risk of sounding to smooshy, can I recommend another support/resource whether you are contemplating surgery or changes in diet/exercise? There are psychotherapists who specialize in issues and behaviors related to food and eating/overeating. Sometimes its easier to change behaviors once we understand what is motivating that behavior. I saw a therapist specializing in weight and overeating issues several years ago (it was so long I can only remember her first name), and I can't tell you how valuable it was. Worth every penny and every minute that I spent on the couch (actually, it was a reclinging chair...).

HelloDali, part of the process for doing this requires me to do at least eight sessions with a psychotherapist for those exact reasons.

I have not chosen one yet. If you have a recommendation, I'd love to hear it. Please feel free to PM me.

Good luck in your quest to take off weight -- a difficult but really important effort, and I hope you succeed, however you determine to achieve this goal. My February issue of Consumer Reports just arrived in today's mail, and the issue is devoted to healthy living -- including an article on the pros and cons of weight-loss surgery. For objective and informed advice, I would say CR is a good source. For those interested in this topic generally (prompted by the mentions above of diabetes) the New York Times has run an excellent four-part series on the rapidly escalating diabetes epidemic, its connection to the American diet, and the social costs of this problem. (I don't want to sidetrack this discussion into one on the politics of diabetes -- I merely mention it for those interested.) The last article was today, and can be found here:

Best of luck to you. I'll be interested to hear more about your decision-making process.

I must take issue with some MISINFORMATION that was stated earlier in this thread by jlawrence:

Evil Ronnie and I have both had cardiac bypass surgery, 5 years and 7 years, respectively. ANY surgery can be fatal so to single out this surgery only is ridiculous. This surgery is somewhat routine at this point and MOST of the time successful. Additionally, I'd like to know what the "serious emotional baggage" is. The only scars Ron and I have are the ones up our chests.

Sounds like someone is telling scary stories.

I had cardiac bypass surgery four years ago. My scars run the length of my chestbone. I also have scars which run from my groin to my ankle which are the sites where the required arteries were harvested. The cardiac surgeon who performed the surgery (his practice performs 300 a year) described the surgery as "barbaric but essential and generally effective" - his quote, not mine. He is hoping for the day when medicine can utilize a synthetic artery of some sort rather than harvesting arteries from the leg.

"Emotional baggage" refers to the significant depression that I felt for a year or two after surgery - dealing with all the scars and other lifestyle changes. Most of the cardiac rehab nurses that I worked with told me that depression was normal but that it could be overcome.

Gastric bypas has a mortality rate of about 2% which is high. But, you have to consider that many gastric by pass patients are not in the best physical condition to begin with.

The lap band surgery appears to have a much less sever mortality rate of .2%(it's a much less invasive procedure)according to the independent statistics I have been able to find.

Both of these rates will be a big factor in my decision when I make it.

Will,

I"m betting if you can do the pre-surgery program you won't need the surgery. I'm focusing my energy on the lifestyle change and plan to avoid the surgery.

Good luck,

jlawrence01 wrote: This overeating thing is a tough problem to deal with. An alcoholic or drug addict can avoid their substance of choice. It is hard to do the same with food.

Amen to that, brother. Just think if an alcoholic had to have only one sip each morning....

I believe I am fat not because day in day out I eat too much or too much carbs or too many high glycemic carbs or too much fat or too much whatever.

Nope, I think that's a myth. Until recently, very few diets concentrated on caloric absorbtion....at least not directly. Your body only absorbs so many calories from food, we know what happens to food that is not absorbed. Overtime your body has said "we have more food coming in on a regular basis, let's store some of it." Now, the glycemic index an attempt to show how and the rates the body converts food to energy (stored energy is fat) are the basis for Atkins, South Beach, Zone and others.

A few of my tips are in this thread: http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=55419&highlight=#55419

Will, I wish you all the best, whatever you decide. And I too have one piece of advice, gleaned from a couple years of observation. (My best friend was 400 lbs+ when she had bariatric surgery two years ago.) Please be sure to get as much nutritional counseling as you can from qualified people. Nutrition knowledge -- what to eat and how much -- is so important, just as important as the surgery.

Thank you for sharing this with us. We're all pulling for you.

(edited for clarity)

Just want to chip in and add support whichever way you decide to go. I hope you'll keep updating.

Will, I wish you only the best in this journey to good health. A close childhood friend of mine just had the lap band surgery in November. So far, it has been a very good move on her part. I expect to see a much thinner version of her soon (we haven't seen each other since August).

I also got bad news from my doctors a few months ago. After a recent visit to my endochronologist, it appears I will be starting on diabetes medication and medication for my (new for me) high blood pressure. This is in addition to the medications I already take for high cholesterol and thyroid replacement (that will never go away -- I had thyroid cancer 20 years ago). My kids are relatively young and I want to be around for a long time to watch them grow. We are making a concerted effort to eat in a more healthful manner this year, which includes eating at home as often as possible, where I have control over what I put on the table. I think it's working -- my pants slid down to my knees Saturday afternoon in the grocery store parking lot! While it is encouraging to know I'm getting slimmer, my family still can't stop laughing about it.

Looking forward to hearing about your weight loss journey. And, speaking from personal experience, buy a new belt.



Suzy

Ha! I guess you found a positive in your pants sliding to your knees.

This week has been a really tough one for me. I didn't make much prgress in changing my eating habits. I was really busy at work as well as traveling and neglected the six small meal a day schedule that the Wish Center Nutritionist put me on.

My biggest fear is that my problem isn't me, it's my job and my schedule (in other words, it's me putting my job nd schedule in front of my good health. I don't want to fail at this, so I'm back at the salad and protein shake thing beginning again tomorrow.

The Wish Center has given me a set of goals I have to reach in order to qualify for the surgery. This week, I'll be seeing a psychiatrist to talk about what drives my propensity to binge at night when I get home from work. I'll do a minimum of 6-8 appointments with this person. If it feels like it is helpful in addressing my overeating, I may continue it beyond that.

I'm also sending them logs every two weeks of my diet and exercise habits. The funny thing is, throughout this crazy 100 pound weight gain over the past seven years, I've exercised pretty religiously.

Tonight, I'll do a pretty aggressive cardio oriented weight lifting session and 30 minutes on the ellipitical trainer.

Last night, I was watching an ninterview on television with Star Jones. She had gastric bypass 18 months ago and has lost 150 pounds. I would not have recgonized her had her name not been on the bottom of the screen.

Thanks to everyone for their kind wishes and PMs of support.

I think it's working -- my pants slid down to my knees Saturday afternoon in the grocery store parking lot!

It will no doubt relieve your embarassment to know that you were reenacting the iconic work of a legendary American artist.

(In all seriousness, good luck.)

Will -

Good luck! I've also been questioning why I eat late at night. I've been doing it frequently, even though I know it will add to the 20 pounds I've put on in the last four years (since moving to Chicago) and I know I'll wake up depressed. It's a self-defeating cycle that I've had a hard time breaking out of.

I look forward to following your progress. I hope you will post what the psychotherapist says about the late-night eating.

Theresa

sdritz wrote:We are making a concerted effort to eat in a more healthful manner this year, which includes eating at home as often as possible

someone ban this woman from the forum for her own good?

Tomorrow night, my doctor has me going for a sleep study. Over the past few months (really since my return from vacation in November) my sleep has been infrequent and constantly interrupted. It's getting to the point that I don't get enough rest to function the next day. Given my weight, I'm a good candidae for apnea

I did a weigh in yesterday. I've lost 10 pounds since I began the diet and exercise plan on Jaunuary 4. It seems like a little loss in exchang for a lot of sacrifice to me. I give myself one day a week off the diet. It was yesterday. I ate lunch at Priscillas Ultimate Soul Food Cafe. So, maybe it wasn't a good day to weigh.

From an exercise perspective, my workout cardio-weightlifting workout is becoming easier which is a good sign. It means my heart and lungs are getting stronger. It's creating a strain on my knees though. I think I'll grab a personal trainer at the gym this week and develop a part of my workout to strengthen my knees.

YourPalWill wrote:
I did a weigh in yesterday. I've lost 10 pounds since I began the diet and exercise plan on Jaunuary 4. It seems like a little loss in exchang for a lot of sacrifice to me.

Will I'd say 10 pounds in just over 2 weeks is actually very, very, good. I obviously can't speak to the sacrifice but anyone losing ~ 5 lbs/week while following a sensible, healthy (read - not some bizarre, unsustainable "fad") diet is doing great - as they are engaged in a process which won't just take off the weight but keep it off. Hope things continue to go well for you.