Good Morning!
Thought I’d try something, see if it flies. A newsletter of sorts, with news, stories, and updates on anything WLS related. Please let me know what you think!
Update on “The Baron"
A few more pounds lost forever! According to the scale this morning, I’m now down to 228 – 37 lbs. since surgery, 52 lbs. total! We went to Eddie Bauer over the weekend where my wife got me a size large knit shirt and size 42 shorts – best of all, they fit wonderfully! I can't remember the last time I fit in a size large shirt. It feels funny, kind of like denial since less than 2 months ago I was wearing XXL!.
The “I Want To Save Him” Department
Annie's Mailbox®, July 2, 2007
Dear Annie: I'm a single mom in my early 40s, very fit,
(keep this in mind - very important) with no children currently living at home. I recently joined a running club in my community. In this club, I met a terrific guy. "Dane" is in his late 40s, in excellent physical condition, funny, charming, a true gentleman and very handsome. He's financially sound and in a good profession. Basically, he's the guy I wish I had met 20 years ago.
Dane and I meet once a week to run on nearby running trails with our group. From the first glance, I haven't stopped thinking of him. I have fallen in love with this guy. Once, I invited him to lunch, since our jobs are close to each other. During the meal, I asked why his wife isn't at any of our runs. He confided that his wife is extremely obese and not into fitness. He also admitted that he would love to have her companionship when running, biking and going on motorcycle rides.
A couple of weeks ago, I ran into Dane and his wife in a department store, and he was right. She is huge. I'm guessing she weighs close to 300 pounds. He didn't say it, but I suspect he's not in a happy marriage.
(Look out, here it comes!) Dane doesn't have a clue how I feel about him. I've flirted with him, but he doesn't seem to notice, although he always chooses to run with me. If he knew how I felt, things could be different between us. Should I tell him? — Floundering in Florida
Dear Floundering: (Should Be - "Dear Dumb@$$) You do not have the right to break up a marriage because someone's wife is obese. If you want a man in your life, find one who is available. If Dane wants to cheat on his wife, he will let you know, but we strongly urge you not to encourage him, or more than your running shoes will be covered in dirt.
(Oh, and the next time you want to feel superior, go to the zoo and stand next the monkey cage!)
The “Open Wide and Say Ahhh” Department
Previously published in Hopkins Research
Volume 3, Number 1, Winter 2005
PIG STUDIES PROVIDE A ROUTE TO INCISIONLESS PROCEDURES
In 1997, when Anthony Kalloo was asked to speak about the future of endoscopy, he had the audacity to tell his fellow gastroenterologists at the annual meeting of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy that physicians “someday” would be able to remove a gallbladder without ever making an incision. They had two words for him: “You’re crazy.”
That “someday” is fast approaching. Kalloo and his team of researchers, including Sergey Kantsevoy and Sanjay Jagannath, have successfully taken the first step to incisionless surgery on a pig model, which closely simulates human anatomy, by easing an endoscopy tube through the mouth.
Clearly, GI surgery is making rapid advances. In the last decade, surgeons, for example, have avoided huge abdominal-wall incisions by conducting less-invasive laparoscopic surgery.
Kalloo and his colleagues have worked for five years on the technique they call “the natural orifice approach,” in which a flexible, lighted tube is inserted through the mouth, esophagus and stomach into the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen. It potentially may allow surgeons to remove a gallbladder, take out an appendix, perform gastric bypass operations and conduct exploratory pain examinations by using an endoscope instead of a scalpel.
Initially, Kalloo notes, skeptics contended that this technique would cause stomach contents, such as gastric juice, to leak and cause infections. However, the pig studies have proven these skeptics wrong. Not only is the natural orifice approach technically possible, he says, but it also appears safe. Through survival studies, Kalloo and his colleagues already have been able to successfully conduct gastric bypass surgery—used for the treatment of obesity—and for fallopian tubal ligation. However, Kalloo cautions, “so far we’ve only tested the natural-orifice approach on pigs.” And he concedes that his team still needs to conduct rigorous clinical trials to determine whether their success with animals translates to humans.
“We’re looking forward to the day,” Kalloo says, “when patients will be able to return to work faster, experience less pain and generally recover quicker even than with laparoscopic surgery.”
The “But Did They Dump?” Department
Joey Chestnut of San Joes, Calif. won the Nathan’s “Famous Fourth of July Internaional Hot Dog Eating Contest”, beating former champion Takeru Kobayshi and setting a new world record by downing 66 Nathan’s hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.
Official Results: Joey Chestnut 66 – Takeru Kobayshi - 63
Kobayshi, the six-time hot dog-eating world champion, arrived at the 2007 event with a jaw injury. He reportedly received therapy on the jaw until two hours before the contest and appeared to compete at 100% - he ate 63, eight more than his personal best.
Many thought Kobayshi would be unable to compete, or that he would compete at a lower level of intensity. In fact, he and Joey were neck and neck until the final moments of the contest.
The contest has been held each year since 1916, according to archives. This years contest may have been the most highly anticipated match-up in the event’s 92 year history. Police reported that nearly 50,000 people attended the event in Coney Island.
"Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world in the eye."
-Helen Keller
Have a Great Day!
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