Susan B. Dopart M.S., R.D.

This week’s LA Times article by Michael Hiltzik regarding the man who had gastric band surgery and died 3 days later was jarring.   A 6 foot 6 inch man who weighed 300 pounds sought out surgery thinking he could get a better job weighing less.  He was only 36 years old, a schoolteacher with 6 children who had his whole life to live.

I remember back to the initial days of being a clinical dietitian at UCLA and taking care of those who had had gastric bypass surgery.  More than a few had severe health problems and some died of complications related to the surgery.  These experiences in themselves biased me towards not being an advocate for weight loss surgeries.

Personally I feel the surgery is treating the symptom, not the cause.  Research shows many who lose weight regain the weight within a 5-10 year period of time.  Why?  They have not dealt with the underlying root cause of their weight issues.

Many individuals are genetically preprogrammed to be overweight or have a weight issues.  However, a healthy lifestyle of exercise/activity and an individualized eating plan can do wonders for weight management.  It may be hard work but no surgery is required.

The conferences I attend on how weight loss surgeries change appetite, hormones, and result in high amounts of weight in a short period of time do sound appealing.  However, both the short and long-term complications scare me.

A client of mine had bypass surgery and lost half her weight 6 years ago.  She bought a new wardrobe, and was thrilled with her new self.  However, since she had not dealt with the emotional issues that brought on the weight in the first place, she regained most of the weight within 5 years.  She found herself in my office distraught and needing lifestyle skills to manage her weight.

Another one of my clients who had lifelong issues with weight was considering bypass surgery and after speaking with someone who had it decided against it.  He realized if he set his mind to it he could lose weight.  He sought out my services and is losing weight at a good clip due to his efforts of mindful lifestyle eating and exercise.

There are several types of weight loss surgeries which all require eating a very small amount of food.  If one tries to overeat, there are physical consequences.  Why give the control of your body over to a “forced” control of food? 

If the emotional issues of eating are not dealt with, no amount of surgery will keep it off forever.  Most people find a way to eat around it.  Healing your relationship with food is hard work but instead of physical it requires emotional surgery but no knives are not required.

Seek out help from a qualified professional who can bring you on a safe journey of lifestyle intervention.  You’ll save yourself more than the physical scars and financial burdens – you might even safe yourself from death – fast or slow….

Remember, it’s prevention not prescription.

Many people start the New Year off with a rigorous eating or lifestyle plan only to be back to old habits by the end of January.  How do you sustain change with your eating and lifestyle throughout the year?

The answer to that question is different for each person, but here are a few tips to start off 2010.

1.  Have reasonable expectations – many of us start with harsh plans only to be pulling out our hair by day 3 and then doing nothing.  Ask yourself:  “what do I expect of myself and is that reasonable?”  If not, what is a reasonable expectation for eating, exercise, sleep or other lifestyle changes?

2.  Think of what to ADD to your life rather than what to delete.  This approach is friendlier and allows you to feel in control.  Incorporating more protein at meals helps even out your blood sugars and can keep you from eating everything that crosses your path.  Adding omega-3 –fats helps lower inflammation in the body.  A small serving of a dark green leafy and orange/yellow/red vegetable can do wonders for increasing disease-fighting vitamins and minerals in your body.  AND a square or two of dark chocolate adds important phytochemicals essential for health.

3.  Change ONE thing at a time.  One week focus on one or two things you want to add to your diet.  The next week add 15-20 minutes of walking several times per week.  Change what is most reasonable and doable over a years’ time.  It does not matter what you weigh today – it matters more what you weight a year from today.

Having a lifestyle that works does not happen overnight: it evolves over time.  Keep your expectations for 2010 reasonable and slowly add one thing at a time till you are in the health you desire.  Your body will thank you as 2011 turns the corner.