Randy Jackson says farewell to Idol; We take a look back on his weight loss journey

Last night on American Idol, we said good-bye to a staple of the long-running talent competition, Randy Jackson. After a surprisingly sweet farewell video, viewers not only saw Mr. Jackson's journey on the show, but also his weight loss over the years. It reminded the team here at Dr. Feiz and Associates of the bariatric surgery that he has been so open to discussing.

Randy Jackson join a growing list of celebrity weight loss surgery recipients when he received the gastric bypass procedure about ten years ago. It's been reported that he lost 100 pounds in the first year and, by making dietary, exercise, and lifestyle changes, has kept it off. He even wrote a book in 2008 on getting "a jump on your best health ever," which even has weight loss surgery friendly versions of some of his favorite Southern dishes.

Michael Feiz, MD, FACS has seen many similar results in his many patients throughout the years. A top-ranked surgeon performing gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and the lap band in Beverly Hills, Dr. Feiz ensures that life-altering weight loss for his patients is attainable. He achieves this through compassionate aftercare, world-class surgical expertise, and a supportive staff out of his Beverly Hills clinic. Visit www.drfeiz.com for more information.

Woo Hoo! My Weight Loss Surgery Date Is Close!

By Callie Ellis

Yes! Next Wednesday, May 22^nd I will be having the gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Michael Feiz at the Huntington Beach, CA office.

Is that not the best news ever!?!?! I thought after the hassle with the paperwork that this day would never come and now almost here. I said it before, and I will say it again, I LOVE Dr. Feiz, Lupe and the rest of his staff. They have been the best to me. They have been so helpful giving me all of the information I need before and after my weight loss surgery. This time next year when I go to the beach, it will be in my new bikini body! Woo Hoo!!

Thank Goodness For Lupe and Rebekah!

by Callie Ellis

Another week has passed and it seems like time is moving slower the closer I get to my gastric sleeve/weight loss surgery date. Last week I submitted all of the paperwork to my insurance company. Let me tell you, that’s a hurdle and a half. Thank goodness for the staff at Dr. Michael Feiz’s Beverly Hills bariatric surgery office, especially Lupe and Rebekah. They have been helping me every step of the way. They're so good at translating all of the insurance mumbo jumbo and making sure to connect the dots on what is needed to move forward with my procedure.

I am going to share a little secret with you (well not a really a secret to all those that know me.) With the exception of Dr. Feiz, I really hate going to the doctors. HATE IT! So there isn’t much documentation of my weight throughout the years. We initially submitted pictures but that wasn’t enough for the insurance company. However, an accident from several years ago in Texas is actually turning out to be a life saver. Isn’t that funny? I was involved in a car accident and was taken to the ER where, of course, they weighed me. And my weight was high. So Lupe at Dr. Feiz’s office is now working with the hospital to make sure we get the paperwork to the insurance company so that my gastric sleeve surgery can be done on time. Just another day towards a healthier life!  

It Only Seems Like Magic

The news this week about Governor Chris Christie got us thinking about how some other well known people who have benefited from weight loss surgery over the years. Looking over the names, we realized that while almost all of them seem to have made some very genuine improvements that would have been all but impossible to achieve prior to such bariatric procedures as the lap-band. the gastric sleeve and bypass, life goes on. They are all obviously healthier, but all of them appear to have had their share of ups and downs, also. 

Comedian Ralphie May is not as well known as some of the others, though in his own way he's nearly as controversial and outspoken as Governor Christie. Although still a very large man by any definition, he's lost well over 400 pounds from a high that was reportedly close to 800 pounds. Even as May has made very obvious and public progress since his surgery, his struggles have continued in other ways. Having trimmed down considerably thanks to a serious diet and exercise regimen, his problems did not completely evaporate.

By his own account, May had to cancel appearances in order to go into rehab last year in order to deal with post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), and some resulting issues with drugs and alcohol, triggered by multiple brushes with death. Not all of his health issues were directly weight-related, as May's first major brush with death was from an car accident at age 16 in which he broke 42 bones. A more recent close call, however, involved a pulmonary embolism related to double pneumonia, which may well have been exacerbated by his weight and other lifestyle issues.

The point here is that, while Mr. May is actually doing very well in terms of his bariatric surgery, issues such as PTSD had to be deal with separately. Severely obese people often tend to think that losing excess weight will solve all of their problems. However, what they invariably find is that they still have many of the same issues, despite their significantly improved health and appearance.

Whatever types of weight loss surgery our patients are receiving, we always counsel them to look at their entire situation and not only their weight. We know it's hard to believe sometimes, but thin people have problems, too.

The Lap Band is in the News!

Yesterday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie shared with the world that he had weight loss surgery back in February. Here at Dr. Feiz and Associates, we are so happy that he has taken control of his health. It's an exciting time for him and his family on the start to a healthier life! Gov. Christie had the lap band procedure and you can learn more about it at drfeiz.com or call 1-800-868-5946 to schedule your free consult today! 

Watch a sneak preview of his interview with Brian Williams Here!

Dr. Feiz Must Read Summer Book: Big Brother

BIG Brother by Lionel Shriver is a fictional story about a sister trying to rescue a man who is eating himself to death.

I feel that this story told by an acclaimed prize winning author who has sadly experienced the very real death of her own 'big brother' Greg, four years ago at age 55 due to obesity related causes is important. Obesity is a very complicated subject and sometimes it is the literary experience that helps us better understand how a life can be cut short without medical intervention of this easily correctable condition.

With at least 2.8 million adults dying each year as a result of being overweight or obese, this book resonates with me personally in an emotional and impactful way. As a weight loss surgeon I understand how this epidemic of obesity can be stopped as I experience similar real life stories daily.

The reviews are calling it entertaining, gripping and intelligent. I know I am going to read it. What do you think?

Source

It’s Callie!

Callie Pre-Weight Loss Surgery at Video Shoot

Hi everyone! I am Callie Ellis and I will be in real life blogging about fingers-crossed, my soon to happen bariatric/weight loss surgery with Dr. Feiz. If you are reading this blog, then you know how amazing Dr. Feiz is and that you would do anything for him so when he asked me to live blog my weight loss journey, I happily said YES!

Friday, April , I went to a gorgeous house in SoCal to shoot a video about why I decided to have weight loss/ bariatric surgery. Look out for it, should be up soon! Here are some behind the scenes pictures. It was great to meet other patients who have had weight loss/bariatric surgery with Dr. Feiz and see their amazing weight loss results. 

Rocio and I after our endoscopy procedure Wednesday  4/24

As part of my insurance requirements for bariatric surgery, I need to have three months nutrition documented and, trust me, I have years upon years.  I went to a weight loss clinic in TJ (Tijuana, MX for non California peeps)  for six months which my insurance said would qualify but I needed to pick up the paperwork. So that is what I did this past Monday.  Wednesday, I had my Upper GI endoscopy with my partner in crime, Rocio, who is also having bariatric surgery with Dr. Feiz. I am so ready to have gastric sleeve and start my new Path For Life!