Special Operation Helps Obese Teens Shed Pounds

Thanks to a special program at the New York University Medical Center, some severely obese teenagers are shrinking.

According to the New York Post, 81 super-sized teens ages 14-17 enrolled in a fat-busting program at the medical facility and have collectively shed a whopping 7,300 pounds. The treatment they received involved undergoing a gastric-band surgery that both reduced their stomach size and curbed their appetites in general.

On average, the teenagers weighed 300 pounds prior to the surgery. One in particular registered at 530, and three others at 400. The average loss was equal to 90 pounds of body fat. The total loss, equivalent to 3.65 tons, is about the weight of your standard sport utility vehicle.

The procedure is designed to control the patient's hunger, according to the head pediatric gastric-band surgeon at NYU, Dr. George Fielding, who first performed the surgery in his native Australia.

"Not being hungry is the key to the whole thing. The size of the stomach goes from a football to a golf ball," he said.

In each patient, an adjustable white silicon ring, affixed to an inflatable and wiry prosthetic belt, is fastened to the top of the stomach after small incisions are made (and tubes inserted) during a laparoscopy. The LAP-Band, as it is known, thus creates a smaller pouch, or stomach. A balloon inside the band helps regulate the size, which is adjustable by injecting a saline solution into the stomach wall.

Ira Harris, a local retiree and past patient of Fielding's, made a donation of $2 million to fund both the surgery and follow-up treatment for the 81 kids. Of the 81 subjects, 35 are part of an approved clinical trial and all of whom have been diagnosed as being morbidly obese.

A significant majority in an NYU survey said they were no longer short of breath, fit in better at school and play sports they never had. Even better for the females, the previously plus-size girls can now shop in regular stores. Three-quarters of the patients are female, while most are white.

"It's very hard being a fat teenager. Being a morbidly obese teenage girl is as close to being in hell as you can imagine. This surgery gives them a shot at a normal life," Fielding said.

Many of the teens came in with ailments more frequently associated with the elderly, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and joint pain. The usual diet plans had failed these kids, making the gastric bypass, or intestinal rerouting, medically necessary, despite the fact that it's considered far more invasive and dangerous.

"We want to show LAP-Band surgery is a valid treatment for kids. It is much safer," said Fielding, who himself dropped 115 pounds (to 215) having undergone the surgery.

There exists a risk of infection from excess skin, and some doctors fear the bands may dissolve or break over time. But there's been no evidence of that, according to Fielding, and in any event, the bands are easy to retrieve and replace -- unlike the teenage years the kids are wasting.

-- Randall Stevens

Babysteps to Health

Slow and steady wins the race. When you slowly take off the pounds and stick to an exercise program, you are more likely to keep those pounds from coming back. Look at every pound lost as a small victory in the road to health.
Don't set yourself up for failure; set goals that are attainable. Lofty goals are hard to meet and only leave you frustrated.
Make it easier on yourself--use half the cream and sugar in your coffee. Make small changes that add up to a big defecit but don't leave you feeling like your giving up everything you love.
Reward your success--the right way. We'd all like to celebrate that 5 pound milestone with a hunk of chocolate cake, but consider treating yourself in a different way. Why take five steps forward and then two back?
Keep it interesting. Variety is the spice of life; try new things and new foods. If you eat yourself into boredom, you won't be able to stick to a diet or workout routine.
Small changes for big results. Love eggs? Ditch the yolks. Chicken? Lose the skin and try baking or grilling instead of frying. It all adds up over time.
Keep track of activity. Keeping a log or journal of your workouts not only keeps you honest, it allows you to take a look back and see just how far you've come.
If you must eat sweets, eat dark chocolate because it has many health benefits
Stay away from the scale. When your clothes get looser and your measuments shrink should be proof enough that you are on the right track. Numbers on a scale are just overrated.

When is a Fad Diet a Bad Diet?

Time for a reality check: there is no magic bullet, instant cure, or easy way out. Losing weight is not easy, and many fad diets fall easily into the bad diet category. Be wary of any diet or weight-loss program that:

Promises rapid weight loss. Any weight loss of more than 2 pounds per week is too rapid, unsafe, and is unlikely to stay off.
Promises easy weight loss without exercise or that weight loss can be maintained without lifestyle changes.
Uses miracle or magical foods. No food can melt away fat or undo years of overeating and lack of exercise.
It's basis lies in consuming only one (or a limited number) of foods, encourages consuming certain foods in mass quantities, or calls for specific food combinations.
Relies on undocumented case histories. Testimonials and anecdotes mean nothing if there is no scientific data to back up claims.
Promotes unproven or inauthentic weightloss aids such as herbs, supplements, body wraps, pills, cellulite creams, etc.
Sound too good to be true. Most of the time it's because they are.

Splurge vs. Smart: Dining Out Without Breaking Your Diet

High-calorie, fat-laden, large portioned restaurant meals don't have to be a diet breaker. With some careful reading, you too can enjoy a night out without the guilt of a caloric splurge.

When dining American, be wary of words like buttery, fried, pan-fried, crispy, au gratin, creamed, sauteed, and hollandaise. Look for items that are described as steamed, broiled, grilled, roasted and poached to help cut back on calories and fat.

In the mood for a little Italiano? Sauces created from cream or cheese, such as Alfredo sauce, quickly pack in the fat. Go for sauces that are tomato based, and take half home with you--almost all pasta dishes weigh it at well over a serving or two.

Craving some late-night Chinese? Stay clear of batter-coated, breaded, or deep-fried foods and go for the stir-fry. Plain rice is better than fried, and go easy on the sauces; soy sauce and other Asian sauces tend to have high sodium content.