North County OutlookPosted on 02/16/2009
Advertisements for weight loss products and services tend to play the "look at me now" game. Giant pants, sexy dresses and bikinis all highlight the outward results of weight loss. But the real people who struggle with difficult weight issues usually agree that they're less concerned with the mirror than the medicine cabinet.
"My mother died at 58 from heart disease and diabetes complications," said 44-year-old Jesse Benavides, "and I was going down that same path."
Obesity can have disastrous health consequences. The Snohomish Health District recently released a report detailing obesity rates by zip code, and Marysville was at the top of the list, with a whopping 33.8 percent of adults living in 98270 classified as obese. Childhood obesity is also on the rise, both locally and nationally, presenting a sobering national health risk.
Physical ailments are only the tip of the iceberg for many who are extremely overweight.
"I hadn't left the house in three years except to buy groceries," said Toni Lieurance, 36, of Marysville. "I guess it was like agoraphobia. I felt like everyone was judging me when I went anywhere, so I just stayed at home."
Surgery has been an option for "morbidly obese" patient for decades, with the gastric bypass option the most common surgical procedure. An invasive and somewhat risky procedure, gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of a patient's stomach, removes a portion of the large intestine, and reroutes the digestive tract. Complications from the operation include dangerous leakage around internal staples, hair loss and nutritional deficiencies, and the operation has a mortality rate of up to 2 percent.
A viable option to gastric bypass is a relatively new procedure called gastric banding. The Lap-Band is an adjustable system that is installed during minimally invasive surgery. No internal organs are surgically altered, but the band creates a patient-managed restriction to help control portion sizes and encourage healthy eating habits.
One of the benefits of the band is its ability to be adjusted. Through a port placed just under the skin on the patient's abdomen, liquid can be added to the band, or removed, to find just the right amount of restriction for each individual.
At a weight of 285 lbs., 5'4" Teri Wilson of Marysville knew she was in trouble. She began battling weight issues about 15 years ago and had seen a steady decline into obesity.
"I actually lost about 100 lbs. on the Atkins diet about six years ago," said the local woman, "but when my father died unexpectedly, I slipped back into my old habits and slowly gained it all back, plus more."
After years of diet failures, the thought of dieting again was just "too much to bear," and Wilson began to despair. She knew she was endangering her health with the excess weight, and her life was affected by decreased energy levels.
"If I had to take something to the other side of the house, I'd try to combine everything into one trip," Wilson said. "I just didn't have any energy."
In 2007, she saw a TV commercial for the Lap-Band surgery performed by Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Center, and she instantly seized upon the idea. She called the number on her screen and signed up for an informational seminar that same week.
In March 2007, Wilson underwent the laparoscopic procedure to install the Lap-Band and adjustment port. She lost 95 pounds the first year, with a total weight loss of 125 pounds so far.
"It's not a magic wand, but the band helps you make better choices," Wilson explained.
At her heaviest, Toni Lieurance carried 378 lbs. on her 5-foot-6-inch frame. "I was so afraid of being that fat person on TV who couldn't get out of her house."
Like many women, Toni's weight problem began with pregnancy. She gained 90 lbs. during her pregnancy and just never lost any of it. More weight gain followed and, as the pounds piled on, her energy level went down.
"I was just always tired. I couldn't walk up or down even a few stairs without being out of breath, so I asked my husband and son to do everything around the house," she remembered.
After her mother's friend had Lap-Band surgery, Lieurance watched her progress with interest. She began to research the surgery on the Internet and joined online forums to find out about the experiences of other "bandsters."
On September 11, 2007, Lieurance had surgery. In her first year, she lost an amazing 135 pounds, and has now shed a total of 148 lbs. Although she hasn't quite reached her weight loss goal, the change has been life-altering for the local mother.
"Before the surgery, I was ashamed to go to my son's activities," Lieurance confessed. "Part of my decision to have the Lap-Band was that I wanted to be a part of my son's life. I didn't want to miss out on that."
Benavides, a home visitor for the Migrant Education Program in Mount Vernon, had been "heavy" all his life. In 1986 he was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and was relying on insulin injections to control the disease. Despite the medication, he began to develop neuropathy, an extremely painful nerve condition related to diabetes.
"I remembered my mom having these terrible pains, but I didn't understand what she was going through," Benavides recalled. "I was terrified that I was going to end up like her, in pain and with an early death."
A Larry King interview with Muhammad Ali's daughter opened his eyes to other possibilities. Khaliah Ali talked about her success after Lap-Band surgery, and Benavides was inspired to find out more.
Just like Teri Wilson, Jesse Benavides underwent surgery in March 2007 and has since lost more than 80 pounds. Even more important, his diabetes is under control without medication, and he's also been able to stop taking medication for high blood pressure.
"The surgery was a lifesaver," Benavides claimed. "It's not cheap, but you can't put a price on your life."
While individual costs may differ, the average patient can expect to pay between $16,000 and $19,000 for Lap-Band surgery. The fee includes one year of follow-up care and adjustments. Free support groups and online forums can also contribute to patients' success.
These three people, and thousands of their neighbors in Snohomish County, found the key to a healthier life through Lap-Band surgery. Lieurance, Wilson and Benavides all chose Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Center in Everett for the procedure.
"Surgery is not for everyone," said Benavides. "But it was the right answer for me."
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