Hope in the Size of a 429-Pound Man
Obesity has become increasingly prevalent and weight loss surgeries are on the rise. However, the risks of weight loss surgery have brought a new meaning to fat farms and new hope for many.
Television reality shows feature obese and morbidly obese people as they eat healthy and exercise to reinvent themselves. If national television proves that it can be done the right way, just what does a day-to-day scenario really look like?
Corey Dillaha is living under 24/7-weight watch. At 429 lbs., 6’1” age 44, he is the most critically obese client that I have ever had the challenge and privilege of helping. His weight loss experience and the role that I play in helping him to overcome his challenges on a daily basis will be the featured focus of this blog content for the next 16 weeks. This is a pivotal point in the life of a 44-year-old man; a turning point for him after a major call to action when gastric bypass was said to be the only answer.
A devoted husband, father of three teenagers, and dedicated member of his church and community—Corey has put his service to others before his own health. As a truck driver in his family-owned business, he spends long hours daily in a sedentary position. What’s more, he suffered a serious motorcycle accident, which set him back even further in his physical abilities.
Always a larger heavyweight guy, Corey wrestled competitively in college at 270 pounds. To weigh 300 pounds did not scare him. To him, that was just his off-season weight. Years of driving trucks and poor eating habits caused weight gain, but after his accident Corey lost control. He felt powerless over his weight.
Corey had attended the classes for gastric bypass surgery. He heard the doctor tell the group of 50 people that one among them would die on the operating table with the odds of 1/50. Researcher David R. Flum, MD, MPH, assistant professor of surgery at the University of Washington says, “In fact, in the real world …the risk of dying within 30 days of gastric bypass surgery is about one in 50.”
With those odds, Corey knew that this was not the route for him. Furthermore, he knew that he needed to empower himself to conquer this challenge himself and do it the right way. It finally got to be time for Corey to call on his faith to overcome the issue of morbid obesity that had taken hold of his life. It not only had a hold on him, but it had become a life threat and a ticking time bomb.
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