FYI

[Guest guest]

November 17, 2002

Dr. Weil, M.D.

c/o Dr. Weil's " Self Healing "

42 Pleasant Street

Watertown, MA 02472

Dear Dr. Weil,

............Another topic I would like to see covered in " Self-Healing " are

the supplement requirements for people who have had bariatric surgery, as

those requirements are quite different from the general population. The

number of people having this surgery grows exponentially each year, and it is

a life-saving procedure for those suffering from multiple co-morbidities due

to extreme obesity. The vast majority who undergo the operation enjoy a rapid

return to good health as excess weight is shed. I myself suffered from type 2

diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, stasis dermatitis, edema, high blood

pressure, high triglycerides, obstructive sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, and

depression. I definitely considered myself as having Syndrome X. The skin on

my legs blistered and " wept " incessantly. It was a toss-up whether I'd

succumb to a heart attack or stroke before I'd need a limb amputated. I could

walk only a few steps, and that only with a cane. I could not stand on my

feet for more than 2 minutes at a time. My back ached constantly. Besides 60

units of insulin daily, I was taking eight other prescription drugs,

including a painkiller of which I took 8 tablets a day.

Today, 14 months after this surgery (roux-en-y), I have lost 114 pounds, and

I take NO prescription drugs-just lots of supplements. All of the above

health problems have been resolved. I eat healthily and I exercise regularly,

generally an hour a day. I don't like exercise very much, but I am abundantly

grateful that I am now capable of exercising. This surgery is not a magic

bullet, and I have worked very hard to successfully turn around the course my

life had taken. What it did do for me was level the playing field and give me

a fighting chance that I never had before. Some of us out here just CAN'T do

it without the help. I am 60 years old, and have been yo-yo dieting,

regaining every pound lost each time plus an extra 20 or 30, and trying

desperately to change my lifestyle, since I was in 2nd grade. In one short

year I have turned a lifetime of failure into a future I am sure holds

continued success. Just the fact alone that post-ops of this surgery don't

produce ghrelin anymore gives me the confidence to expect that this is a

permanent change. My body won't be fighting with my brain all the time,

urging me to eat more when I know I shouldn't.

I would like you to know that I have followed your " antioxidant cocktail "

religiously for a number of years, and that I credit my quick and easy

recovery from surgery, with no complications, to having fortified my immune

system and recuperative powers by following your advice. I had to stop the

" cocktail " a couple weeks prior to surgery, and had no guidance afterwards

whether it would be okay to resume it. After having had no colds for 10 years

or more, I got 2 in 2 months! I was back on the cocktail in a flash after

that, guidance or no. And have been cold-free again ever since.

My guess is that you would most likely not be a proponent of bariatric

surgery. But for some of us, it is the only route back to good health. Please

recognize our need and provide us with the same kind of excellent nutritional

guidance you give to our more fortunate brothers and sisters who have not

needed to take such drastic measures to stay alive. Perhaps you could even

consider maintaining a regular column or section in the newsletter for us and

our special concerns.

Hopefully,

Carol A

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Hi, All

Maybe if you'd add your own letters to the newsletter, we could make an

impact and get something going -- another venue to address our

concerns...........