HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR FERRY GASTRIC BYPASS SLIMMING HIM DOWN.Byline: Eugene Tong tong 1 tr.v. tonged, tong·ing, tongs To seize, hold, or manipulate with tongs. [Back-formation from tongs. Staff Writer VALENCIA - A gregarious gre·gar·i·ous adj. 1. Seeking and enjoying the company of others; sociable. See Synonyms at social. 2. Tending to move in or form a group with others of the same kind: gregarious bird species. mountain of a man who once weighed some 395 pounds, Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, City Councilman Frank Ferry is looking slimmer than he's been for years. ``That's the fastest I've ever seen him run,'' said Nick Ferry, his 12-year-old son, recalling a comment he heard as his dad coached youth soccer. Ferry, who has struggled with obesity and such complications as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol Cholesterol, High Definition Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in animal tissue and is an important component to the human body. It is manufactured in the liver and carried throughout the body in the bloodstream. for years, underwent gastric bypass surgery Gastric bypass procedures (GBP) are any of a group of similar operations used to treat morbid obesity—the severe accumulation of excess weight as fatty tissue—and the health problems (comorbidities) it causes. earlier this month. Since going under the knife more than three weeks ago, he has lost about 40 pounds and reclaimed his health. ``When you look at those three things combined with morbid obesity morbid obesity n. The condition of weighing at least twice the ideal weight. morbid obesity Superobesity Bariatircs A condition defined as 45 kg > ideal body weight, 2 times > ideal/standard weight or, for , you're looking at 20 years off your life,'' he said in a recent interview. ``I'm going to be 40 this year. I didn't want to be 55 and have a heart attack and a stroke and not be able to enjoy my grandkids.'' Still, it's a tough decision. Besides the inevitable lifestyle changes, about one out of every 100 people suffer life-threatening complications from stomach-reduction surgeries. ``Almost 100 percent of your life revolves around food,'' he said, recalling the family occasions and holiday celebrations that include feasting. ``Your life is changed forever.'' Born into a family of large men, Ferry gains weight easily - a problem occasionally exacerbated by inattention in·at·ten·tion n. Lack of attention, notice, or regard. Noun 1. inattention - lack of attention basic cognitive process - cognitive processes involved in obtaining and storing knowledge . He recalled putting on the pounds during law school, when bad eating habits and stress made a volatile combination. ``I used to drink two Double Big Gulps just to stay awake,'' said Ferry, an assistant principal at Saugus High School Saugus High School may refer to:
He tried dieting on his own, though he has never made it lower than 325 pounds, maintaining an average weight of 375 over the past 15 years. Ferry was persuaded to take drastic action by the words of a relative. ``He said 'How many 6-foot-5, 375-pound, 60-year-olds do you see walking around?''' he recalled. ``Your heart only has so many ticks.'' Ferry had considered the operation for three years, though his health insurance only offered coverage recently. He said the provider recognized the $30,000 procedure cut down his long-term medical costs. Before surgery, Ferry spent six months in counseling, partly to ensure that he sticks with the rigid post-op diet plan. The average adult stomach holds about a quart of food, but the operation will give him a smaller stomach - only eight ounces in volume. Too much food or the wrong kinds of food could lead to serious complications including infections, malnutrition malnutrition, insufficiency of one or more nutritional elements necessary for health and well-being. Primary malnutrition is caused by the lack of essential foodstuffs—usually vitamins, minerals, or proteins—in the diet. , and kidney stones Kidney Stones Definition Kidney stones are solid accumulations of material that form in the tubal system of the kidney. Kidney stones cause problems when they block the flow of urine through or out of the kidney. . ``It's the 'don't be stupid' diet,'' he said. ``You have to be very disciplined and just follow what the doctor tells you. It's a tool. This is not in itself the cure.'' Two days before the operation, Ferry feasted with his family on roast ham, salads, and Mom's cheese potatoes - simple pleasures he'll be denied for months. Nick recalled these last words Last words are a person's final words before death. For a list of well known last words, see or use the link at right. Last words may refer to:
``I told him 'good luck', and that I love him,'' he said. Ferry was discharged within two days. The operation went smoothly, but now it's up to the patient to ensure its success. That means plenty of water, vitamins and protein shakes while his new stomach learns to cope with solid food. He was allowed yogurt last week, and he's working up to baby food. ``Once I can eat regular food again - if I could eat three regular meals, enjoy a tuna sandwich - I'll be fine,'' said Ferry, who wants to weigh 300 pounds by his 40th birthday in September. Eugene Tong, (661) 257-5253 eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Jake and Nick Ferry wear their father's old pants, which are now too big for Councilman Frank Ferry, here with wife Jodi. Since undergoing gastric bypass surgery, he's lost 40 pounds and hopes to lose much more. David Crane/Staff Photographer |
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