I have struggled with being overweight all of my life.  When I was thirty, I was diagnosed with “Hypothyroidism”, a deficient activity of the thyroid gland characterized by lowered metabolic rate which leads to weight gain, fatigue, depression and other symptoms.  My doctor put me on medication, something I would have to take the rest of my life.  Counseling provided me with the information I needed to maintain and regulate my weight.  However, I still managed to gain weight, an average of ten pounds per year.

By the time I reached forty, I weighed over 300 lbs. I had developed several health-related problems due to my obesity.  For example, I became a diabetic, having to take medications and check my blood sugar daily.  I was taking the maximum amount possible of oral medications to treat my diabetes, but with little success.  My doctor advised me that it was just a matter of time before I would become insulin-dependent and have to start shots.

I then developed a sleeping disorder known as sleep apnea.  I would actually stop breathing for periods of time while sleeping.  It was impossible to get a “normal” good night’s sleep.  I never slept without interruption for more than two hours at a time.  My weight did not allow me to lie flat in the bed for sleep; I had to sleep sitting up in a reclining chair. Naturally, I was always tired.  Sometimes I would have trouble driving home from work- almost falling asleep at the wheel.

I also suffered from gastric reflux disease.  My stomach was always upset.  I ingested antacids like they were candy, taking them before, during and after each meal.  I exhausted every kind of medication offered over the counter as well as the expensive prescriptions that had been prescribed.

All of my medical conditions had begun to take their toll.  I never felt well.  I began avoiding family members and friends.  I started missing lots of work and spending most of my days in bed or watching T.V.  My mental health became increasingly worse.  My self-image had dissipated and I was beginning to think of ways to completely shut out life.  Even though I was being treated for depression, it was apparent that I had reached a point of no return.  I explained to my doctor that nothing mattered to me anymore.  I broke down in his office, crying, and pleaded for help.

We immediately began to discuss the possibility of a stomach surgery.  It had a high success rate and was becoming very popular among doctors and patients for the severely obese.  After much thought and research, I decided that the surgery was a medical necessity in order to restore my health and quality of life.  Dr. James K. Champion at Emory Dunwoody Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. performed my stomach by-pass surgery.  The procedure went very well and I was released from the hospital three days later.

Before leaving the hospital, I had been taken off of all my diabetes medications.  My first night home from the hospital I slept for six hours uninterrupted!  When I awoke, I felt like a different person.  I feel so rested now after a good night’s sleep.

No longer do I suffer from gastric reflux disease.  I rarely ever have any stomach discomfort of any kind!

My mental state of mind is great; I have lost over 100 pounds!  My goal weight has not been reached; however, I have gained back my self-respect.  I am able to do things that most people take for granted, such as going to see a movie, because now I can fit in the theatre seat.  I have become spiritually happy and have a positive outlook on life.  I am enjoying my family and friends, and pursuing new adventures.  I can’t imagine what my life would be like today without the surgery.  Having stomach surgery not only changed my life, I sincerely believe it saved my life.  It helped to improve my health, both physically and mentally, and has provided me with a wonderful quality of life, for which I am eternally grateful!

Respectfully,   Sybil Sikes

• CBC
• Comprehensive Chemistry
• Serum Iron
• B12 Level
• Lipid Panel

By roasting veggies, you’ll caramelize the natural sugars that they contain and add a depth of flavor that naked veggies lack.

Set the oven to 450 degrees.  Slice the veggies about ¼ to ½ inch thick lay them in a single layer.  Lightly spritz with olive oil to prevent them from drying.

Beets:  1 to 1 ½ hours
Winter squash:  8 to 12 minutes
Carrots:  15 to 20 minutes
Green beans and read peppers:   12 minutes
Onions:  30 minutes
Sweet potatoes:  15 minutes
Summer squash or zucchini slices:  5 to 8 minutes
Eggplant:  10 to 15 minutes

Hints for healthier cooking:

Use sun-dried tomatoes in recipes to add the mellow richness and smokiness that fatty pork adds to soups, stew, and pizzas.

Swap fruit for most of the fat in baked goods:  Reduce the amount of fat to about ¼ of the original amount and replace the rest with prune pill filling (lekvar) or applesauce.

Brown butter to use less:  Heat a bit of butter in a skillet until it becomes fragrant and turns nutty brown.  This increases its flavor so you’ll need to use less.  A little bit drizzled over corn, eggs, or vegetables tastes like you’re using a lot.

]]> http://www.drchampion.com/latest-news/hints-for-healthier-cooking-roasting-vegetables/feed/ 0 http://www.drchampion.com/latest-news/i-knew-i-had-to-do-something-about-my-weight/ http://www.drchampion.com/latest-news/i-knew-i-had-to-do-something-about-my-weight/#comments Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:43:21 +0000 admin http://www.drchampion.com/?p=716 When my husband died in 2005, I knew I had to do something about my weight.  My husband was morbidly obese and died from a massive heart at the age of 49.  I was terrified that I was on the same path.  I did a lot of soul searching and finally decided to contact Dr. Champion.  I truly believe he saved my life.  At 5’3″, I weighed 246 lbs, had high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, osteo arthritis, and couldn’t walk to the end of my driveway without stopping to catch my breath.

I had RNY on 3/12/08 and after one year feel like a new person.  I now weigh 140 ( on my scale) and am able to walk without pain, and garden again.  I can play outside with my yorkies now!  Dr. Champion gave me my life back -  there is no way I can thank him enough.

I can not say enough good things about Dr. Champion – he is truly a caring, professional man.  His program WORKS and he has an excellent staff made up of people who can answer all your questions quickly and efficiently.  Thank God for Dr. Champion.

Kim

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