As you all know, I'm one of those fat slob types. (Oh, to be more PC, so I could say "weight challenged" with a straight face. 🤦 )

But, anyway, I'm starting to consider some radical options re: losing weight, namely expensive prescription meds (I'm told up to $100/week) and even stomach surgery. I'm starting to think there may be no choice -- the diabetes (still under control, but its there like the sword of Damocles) and increasingly worried about the state of my heart (doc says is in good shape, but the far-too-easily-winded and always-wanting-to-sleep), and given the plateau weight-wise I've now been on for close to 18-months (I've kept the 25-30 pounds that I lost before that off, but I can't seem to get myself beyond that, and I still need to lose at least another 100, and probably at least another 125). Not even Foster's "chart in the bathroom" approach seems to work to get my ass in gear (and gone).

We all know Rex Ryan had one type of surgery (though I'm not sure which), but my question is this....do any of you or friends/relatives of yours have any experience/insight on these radical options. Putting both positive hype and doom-and-gloom aside, what is the state of the medical art, the quantity of the risks, etc, etc.?

Of course it's all moot in my case if the insurance won't pay for it -- no way I could foot the bill for either "elective" approach; I ain't got an NFL coach's salary, or his health plan -- so if you have any insight into getting that to happen should I decide to go down one of the extreme routes, I'd appreciate that, too.

Thanks.

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I would recommend the Insanity workout and follow a healthy diet. If you drink soda, gradually eliminate it. And even if you can't do the full Insanity workout, you will get slimmer and you will feel better.

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My SIL was looking at the stomach shrink thingie. Her ins co would pay for it (and she works for a health ins co.) so she didn't do it. From what my wife was telling me they don't simply do the surgery there are steps before that including some kind of a Psych eval. A cousin of mine, her ex did it and lost a lot of weight there are a lot of risks.

My wife was told to go on one of he pill pushing diets by her doc only to find out a couple of years later that the meds were recalled and lawsuits came flying out of the woodwork.

My secretary's BIL went on a juicing diet and lost a lot of weight. I do some juicing but not exclusively. I like of like shredding carrots and celery and stuff at the end of the work day.

I have talked to a few dr over the years including my brother who is a cardiologist. The best way is diet and exercise. Everything else is a crutch at best and potentially dangerous. My own personal physician once told me just try and lose 1 pound a week. It is realistic. It doesn't stress the body and after a year that is 50 pounds. (He gave me Christmas and and other week of my choosing off.)

Lots of water. Along with diet and exercise. Tons of water. I got a liter glass and fill it up 5 times a day. When I am consistent, I lose weight. When I get busy and forget I don't.

I am not as motivated as I can be. So I will lose a couple of pounds 1 week and then add one of them back on the following week. Something that worked real well for me a few years ago was an online weight program I did. I post on another board for U of Illinois. Some guy said he was going to post his weight eery week and invited others to do so as well. A lot of people were willing to offer him advise but no one else was putting their weight down. I did. I lost about 35 pounds in less than a year. Holidays bit me in the butt and after a little over a year he stopped posting so I did too. I was pretty pleased with where I was. I thought I would be able to maintain at that place and I didn't. I gained it all back and a little extra too.

It was amazing that I was so motivated by people I never met and putting the gain or loss on the board. I didn't really care what their opinion was. I wouldn't know them if I saw them walking down the street.

The measures you are talking about have to be last resort. Have you really tried "everything" else? I got a wedding next summer so if you want to try the posting your weekly results here I am willing to do so too.

Weekends were the hardest for me so I chose Monday morning for my reporting day. My wife was in weight watchers at the time so I kind of followed their plan. Mainly I was just trying to be aware of what I was eating. Many times I wold get up and leave the house after dinner so I wouldn't be tempted to sit in front of the tv and eat. I also found out if I am chewing gum I was less likely to want to eat.

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How goes it Wade? Make any decisions yet?

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Hello Wade,
Sorry to read about your challenge. I hope you will win your battle.

If I may just suggest a few things.

First: Do you adhere to a schedule, exercise is very important. Perhaps an early morning and an afternoon walk. Start slow, what you can do, then slowly increase by 5 minute intervals. Even just up to the corner and back is helpful.

Second: Lay off the Bread, Pasta, Potatoes, etc. Eat more salads with low cal dressings. No add ons in the salad either !

Third: Avoid fried foods whenever possible. Bake or Broil Chicken/Fish , tasty and better for you.

Forth: Lay off the Chips, Dips, Crackers, and Sodas. Drink water, squeeze fresh Lemon in your water to add taste.
Snack on carrot sticks or celery or an apple or an orange.

Fifth: No more Sugar ! There is enough in our daily intake .

Sixth: Take care of yourself and that Diabetes. Follow all of your Doctors orders .

Most folks seek help, and expect the usual good wishes, best of luck. I wanted to offer some real heart felt advice, not just a best wishes. I understand better than many, I've always been a size L/XL myself. I try to follow my own advice, when my bad knees will allow. I like the great food as well, but restrict myself as much as possible.

Keep Fighting !

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.... Go Wade Go !!...

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Wade.....before my heart surgery, I was WAY over weight. I'm 5'8" tall and was up as high as 240lbs. After the surgery, I MADE myself walk every day. It was VERY hard to get started, and I still don't "enjoy" it. But the thought of having to go through open heart again has made me keep at it anyway. Getting hit by the car last year screwed me up big time, but I've been trying to walk anyway. I'm about 185lbs now, and trying to keep it below 190.
I also am diabetic, and after surgery my blood sugar was real bad. I got it under somewhat control with the exercise and watching what I eat. Mostly portion size. Quit eating when I'm full.

Something that has helped me too is still eating the "goodies" I like, but not pigging out on them. I found out that if you completely cut out all the foods you enjoy, you are most likely to give up and end up back on the same old bad eating habits.
Try walking every day. I KNOW it's hard, but you will build up stamina and will be surprised how much easier it gets if you keep at it. Walk a block the first day, then increase the distance each day. I had my surgery in February of 2009 and it was too cold to walk outside. So my wife would take me to Target, and I would walk around the store. When the workers there asked me if I was looking for something, I told them my situation, and they kind of cheered me on and looked out for me.

I now walk about 2 miles each day, at about 3 to 4 miles per hour.
I just passed my heart stress test too.
I hope this might help you to beat this weight thing. I know it's not easy.
If you need any support or have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll try to help any way I can!!!!

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I've know people who have done the gastric bypass, and it has really worked well. But the key to that is the lifestyle changes that go along with the whole process. If you are comitted and willing to make those changes, then the surgery might not be necessary. The surgery is really the last resort in this whole process.

But losing weight, especially as we grow older, is very difficult. Metabolism has slowed down, and the exercise thing only gets more difficult. I work labor intensive jobs and don't have the ambition for the exercise anymore. That might be different for you. A lot to weigh in, but I think your first step would be to talk to a nutritionist - and then a personal trainer and see what you can do on your own first.

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A follow up to your note about walking Cheesey-

My brother is a cardiologist. He was telling me a year or so ago that if people walk for 45 min every day they will have a significant reduction in heart disease. Even if it is broke up into 2 or 3 walks a day.

Sadly he IS my younger brother. I was already doing more than what he was telling me so I didn't listen to all the details. Since then I have slowed down. I take my dog for a walk and he has arthritis and I am reluctant to take him that far.

If anyone wants me to get more details on statistics I will be glad to get more from him. His area of emphasis is prevention so is comes out like a fire hose with facts and data some times.

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