Wednesday, January 06, 2016
For years, Dennis Piccin’s all-too-common fear of going under the knife prevented him from scheduling bariatric surgery, despite a one-time peak weight of 530 pounds.
It wasn’t until he built solid relationships with support group members at the Beaumont Weight Control Center in Royal Oak that he was empowered to take action in October 2014.
“I wanted to wait until my kids were in college in case something happened to me in the operating room,” says the 57-year-old Warren man. “If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t have waited so long.”
Now, 15 months and 270 pounds later, members of that same support group are helping Piccin tackle another common fear – fear of regaining the weight.
“People who have been there for a while – those who have taken off and kept off the weight – mentor the rest of us,” Piccin says. “They are a strong testament – ‘It’s hard, yes. But possible’.”
In the end, it comes down to personal accountability, Piccin says. But doing so in and with the company and support of others has made the difference.
Piccin’s other key strategies include: attending meetings consistently, tracking food intake, weighing in once a week and regular appointments with his doctor, psychologist, dietitian and physical therapist.
And “exercise, exercise, exercise!”
Piccin’s exercise of choice? Cycling. Mild late fall early winter temperatures were supportive of his commitment. Piccin also joined a gym where he enjoys the treadmill, elliptical machine and weights.
“Bariatric surgery helped me know what it is to feel full,” Piccin says. “Before that, my stomach was so stretched out. There was no bottom.”
The support of his wife, Beth, has also been instrumental, Piccin says.
Since achieving success through surgery, the changes in Piccin are extraordinary, according to his physician, Kerstyn Zalesin, M.D.
“In the past, Dennis struggled with carbs, breads, sweets and emotional and boredom eating,” Dr. Zalesin says. “He put a lot of effort into various diets that worked in the beginning, but became impossible to maintain. He was sick, anxious, exhausted, discouraged, breathless - and trapped in a cycle he couldn’t escape.”
“With these things in mind, it’s great to see Dennis’s progress and newfound confidence,” Dr. Zalesin says. “He’s eating and exercising regularly, consuming lean protein and fresh fruit and avoiding trigger foods, such as rice and bread.
Like Piccin, many Beaumont Weight Control Center patients say they wish they hadn’t waited so long to take that first big step, says Wendy Miller, M.D., director of Beaumont Health Weight Control Centers in Grosse Pointe, Rochester Hills and Royal Oak.
“The common denominator among people who want to lose weight is that it can be overwhelming to take that first big step; to attend a free seminar and learn about Beaumont’s many options,” Dr. Miller says. “Bariatric surgery is only one alternative. Beaumont offers a host of programs and opportunities, ranging from open support groups, to workshops, classes, clinical support and meal plans.”
In addition to bariatric surgery, Beaumont offer a medically-supervised weight control program, a Beaumont Healthy Kids program for overweight children, and a nutritional health program aimed at optimizing health through nutrition, physical activity and emotional well-being.
Also available: cooking classes for kids and adult cooking demonstration classes.
“Our multidisciplinary team of experts, including physicians, dietitians, psychologists, exercise physiologists, and nurses, each of whom provides ongoing education and support that empowers participants to develop long-term, healthy lifestyle habits,” Miller explains.
Long-term success, according to Miller’s research, often hinges on a patient’s ongoing commitment to the weight loss and maintenance process, particularly through regular, support group attendance.
“We have support group members who have been coming to meetings for 20 and 30 years,” Miller says. “Members share tips and strategies for getting through the rough patches and sticking with the program long term. They work through their fears together.”
Visit beaumont.org/weight for more information about Beaumont Health’s Weight Control programming, offered in various formats throughout its eight-hospital system.