It's slowly killing this nation, one calorie and one fat gram at a time. Whether it's diabetes or heart disease or orthopedic complications directly connected to the excess weight you're carrying around, sooner or later, it will kill you.

We continue to read the saturated-fatty headlines of the day, from lawsuits against the fast-food industry to reports about the fattest generation of kids in our

I became aware of gastric bypass surgery as a result of the media play surrounding singer Carnie Wilson over a year ago. Here was a young woman that you knew was struggling her whole life with the weight and finally decided to do something drastic about it. She leveraged her celebrity status and as a result, probably saved countless lives by bringing attention to obesity and aggressive treatment strategies. I'm convinced she saved my life, because I was on a path of self-induced destruction, caused by the excess pounds I've picked up over the years–a direct result of my horrific motorcycle accident in January 1989.

In the 3 years following the accident, I endured 12 surgeries designed to [hopefully] put me back together. Of the 12 surgeries, 7 of them were knee surgeries. I spent countless hours in physical therapy, and consumed innumerable quantities of Vicodin and Wild Turkey in an attempt to mask the pain–both physical and emotional–that resulted from that near-tragic day almost 12 years ago. I call it my "Elvis Period"...a time that I ate, drank and took lots of pills [all legal, of course].

My weight continued to steadily climb, and my ability to exercise was greatly impeded by the permanent damage I was left with as a result of the accident: arthritic inflammation in both knees (blown out anterior cruciate ligaments in both), my right shoulder (dislocated) and right hip (dislocated the femur from the hip socket on impact) made it painful to engage in any meaningful physical activity–and my slow but steady weight gain would continue to increase the stress on all of these joints...further exacerbated  by an auto accident I was in a couple of years ago in California that blew out the ligaments in my right ankle. (This one wasn't my fault, either! My little sister was driving, and some moron ran a red light and caved in my side of the car!!!) An ankle re-construction surgery in December ‘99 and the 3 months on crutches that followed added another 20 pounds of stress to my already orthopedically over-taxed frame...and I knew I was in deep doo-doo if I didn't do something aggressive–and permanent.

After seeing Carnie Wilson's story, I began researching gastric bypass surgery. It sounded drastic, but I had to do something...so I sought out respected surgeons who would help me transform my life for the better (hopefully) forever.

Here's the key to getting this deal done: If you've got health insurance and after hitting their scales, are deemed "morbidly obese," then it's up to your insurer to get off their butts and pay for this procedure. It's not cheap, but it makes a helluva lot of sense for them to cover it.  They know all too well the long-term consequences of obesity...and the potential success of this procedure.

Thank God my insurance company was one of the smarter ones out there: United Health Care approved me for the surgery inside of 24 hours...and a week and a half later, my life was changed for the better.

I've been through a bunch of surgeries from the motorcycle accident, but they were all orthopedic...and they were nothing compared to the gastric bypass surgery. Was it a hard surgery? No question. In fact for the first couple of weeks, I was absolutely miserable.

And if you'd like to learn more, there's a slew of links available with some empowering information; as well as Carnie Wilson's story that got me to do something about my life once and for all!

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CAPABLE SURGEON?  I've verbally whacked so many otherwise "smart consumers" for not spending more time checking the credentials of their doctors before they allow them to start cutting.  It seems like more people are willing to do their "due diligence" and get second opinions about automotive repairs or home air conditioning repair work than they do on something as critical as allowing a medical provider to begin treating them.  Don't take my word for it...do your homework and check out any prospective doctor before you sign up! 

November 2000 UPDATE: As I write this on Sunday, November 5, 2000, I'm now just over 3 months post-surgery, and my weight's dropped 71 pounds. I expect to lose another 30-40 pounds in the months ahead and if you've fought your weight, you'll appreciate this: I rarely step on the scale anymore. Why? Because I know I don't have to be obsessed with where my weight is today because I know it's going down and will reach that point of equilibrium in the months ahead and there's not a whole lot I can do about it. Except exercise the best I can,eat enough protein and thank God for modern medical  technology and expertise.

May 2001 UPDATE: Let's see...I'm now 9 months post-surgery and down 110 pounds and leveling off.  My aches-and-pains from all of the orthopedic work performed as a result of the motorcycle accident have disappeared.  I sleep better, have zero heartburn, and probably added 25 years to my life.  The smartest thing I ever did...and I hope that if you're battling the bulge and have health insurance, you'll get off your butt and do something dramatic and drastic.  You'll be glad you did...(and so will your family.)

June 2004 UPDATE: So it's been awhile since I've given you an update on my life, post-surgery.  Maybe it's because post gastric-bypass life's been pretty good.  I'm coming up on my 4 year anniversary and there's never been a doubt in my mind that I made the absolute best decision possible back in August 2000.  I don't worry about what I eat and have never taken my "second chance" for granted.