But you should not take that into consideration when I say I am disappointed in Weis’ latest action, suing the doctors that performed his gastric bypass surgery in June, 2002. Weis is claiming his two doctors acted negligently in failing to recognize life-threatening complications he suffered after the surgery that put him into a coma for two weeks.
Obviously he pulled through, but Weis has claimed mobility problems in the five years since going under the knife.
Now I’m not here to question whether Weis’ lawsuit is right or wrong. Few people have the knowledge and expertise to intellectually comment on medical lawsuits, and frankly I’m not one of them. What bothers me is how Weis, and thousands of other obese Americans like him, let their health get to the point where they feel they need weight loss surgery in the first place.
An estimated 177,000 Americans had some form of weight loss surgery last year, according to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Whether you think that sounds like a lot or a little for a population of 300 million plus, consider that number is nearly four times the 2001 estimate of 47,000.
While there are serious complications that can develop from weight loss surgery – like the internal bleeding Weis suffered – surgery is often the only way for severely obese Americans to move toward a more healthy weight.
Tipping the scales at almost 350 pounds before the surgery, Weis said he was afraid one day he would “drop dead” if he didn’t lose weight. So why did he let it come to that? Why did he let himself swell up to 350? Why didn’t he take a stand at 250, 275 or even 300 pounds?
He said he’d probably been on every diet known to mankind, but nothing worked. That is the argument that bothers me the most. The growing idea in America that people have no control over their weight, that living a healthy life is hard and not possible for everyone.
C’mon Charlie, not one diet worked? That sounds like typical American laziness to me. Living a healthy lifestyle is as simple as diet and exercise. Eat well and exercise daily, and you will live a relatively healthy lifestyle.
Of course, dieting and exercise is not easy, especially if you are trying to lose weight. It’s tough. You have to make sacrifices. Say goodbye to fast food and hello to an hour working out everyday, none of this 10-minute abs baloney. There is no quick fix in a healthy lifestyle.
Now I understand everybody is different. Some people are blessed with healthier genes, others predestined for thunder thighs and others still suffer from medical problems that limit exercise opportunities. But everyone is able to diet and get some form of exercise. Do that and every American can avoid obesity, avoid a number of serious related health problems and live healthier, longer lives. Sounds like a pretty fair trade for an hour a day on the treadmill.
No more excuses. No more complaints. A simple motto: If you’re too busy to take care of your health, you’re too busy.
Now if you don’t care about your health, that’s fine. Do what you want. You may drop dead at 40, you may live to 100, just know that everyone is personally responsible for their health, or lack thereof.
Kevin Bruffy is a former Lantern sports and opinion editor. He can be reached at [email protected].
