Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
As a family physician, I know the health consequences of obesity from a professional perspective. I also know the consequences from a personal perspective. In 2005 and 2006, I experienced a series of strokes and as a result have a stent in a large artery in my brain. My other medical issues include hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, arthritis, asthma, pre-diabetes (insulin resistance) and hyperlipidemia. The worst problem I face, however, is a large abdominal hernia in my lower abdomen. It affects my balance and pulls on my lower back. Walking is very, very difficult for me.
About 15 years ago, I managed to get to my goal weight (180 pounds) with a low carb approach to diet and a lot of walking. I kept the weight off for a year. But after I got married and added children to our family, I found it hard to stay low-carb. It's hard to tell a hungry kid to just have a few almonds, and keeping their foods in the house makes it difficult for me to stay on track. I've tried Weight Watchers (still the main program I recommend to my patients), but after awhile, I stop losing and it is hard to continue.
I've known about weight loss surgery for a long time, but I've always considered it a last resort. I really wanted to "do it by myself." I now realize that surgery is a tool. I will still be doing it by myself. If I want to see my children grow up, I must choose this life saving surgery.
What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
Not being able to keep up with my family is heartbreaking. I can't walk with my kids around the block. When we go to the beach, I can't balance myself to walk on the sand and have to stay at the motel while my family enjoys the waves, searches for shells and builds sand castles. In November, we visited a regional theme park and I had to rent a scooter because I couldn't walk that much. I found that quite humiliating.
I'm also heartbroken that I can't serve as inspiration to my patients. I think I'm able to empathize with those who can't control their food intake, and I know the right things to say to them, but I'd love to be able to inspire them with my increased health.
If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?
I am pre-surgery.
fatdoctor
