Tom and Chuck with Schloss Chillon on Lake Geneva

Is weight loss surgery the answer to the obesity epidemic in America? Looking at the people in our weight loss surgery network, we can attest to the power of these surgeries to eliminate or reduce obesity in individuals. Is it the cure-all?  We can definitely say that it is not.

If you have read our posts over this past week, you will see a theme that obesity can be fought successfully with education and awareness. Programs that educate children and adolescents on obesity and its relationship with inactivity and poor diets are key in getting our youth in the right track. Programs that educate adults on healthy food, being active and choosing food wisely help put our society on track to live a healthy life.

Weight loss surgery is a tool that people who have chronic problem with weight loss chose to help them overcome the disease of obesity. For weight loss surgery to be successful and the results sustainable over time, people first need to be educated and made aware of the effects of their actions on their weight. People who fail with weight loss surgery are those who do not make the necessary life changes to their diet and activity levels. Weight loss surgery is not the magic bullet. It is truly a tool to help people reach a healthy weight.

There are many changes in a person’s health that can be attributed to losing a significant amount of your body weight. We have personally experienced many positive changes in our lives. Below is a sampling of positive changes in health that a typical weight loss surgery patient can expect to experience.

• High blood pressure may either be alleviated or eliminated.
• High blood cholesterol may be alleviated or eliminated and in as little as 2-3 months post-op.
• Many of the risks of heart disease may be reduced with a healthy weight and lifestyle.
• Most of our fellow weight loss surgery patients’ Type II diabetes was reduced or eliminated.
• Sleep apnea is generally greatly reduced or eliminated in the people we know.
• Acid reflux is generally a thing of the past.

Friday September 30 Tour Update from Chuck and Tom

Today we closed the loop and completed our circle around Switzerland. We had a 97 mile ride ahead of us as we left Zermatt and headed to Geneva. Taking the advice of Franz, our guide from yesterday’s trip through the valleys at the foot of the Matterhorn, we used his service to guide us to Geneva. As we have found during the past week, there are many mountain bike paths winding through these valleys. Today’s ride used these paths as we left the Alps in the distance and approached Geneva.

Once out o f the Alps, we returned to country roads passing through scenic valleys framed by the Alps. Soon Geneva appeared in the distance and our quiet past few days in the remote alpine regions were replaced by the hustle and bustle of the city. We left our bikes and Franz at the city’s edge and caught a cab into Geneva. We are spending the night at the Hotel Edelweiss where we began out tour. We opted for dinner at a traditional Swiss restaurant close to the hotel before calling it a night. Today’s distance traveled was 97 miles (157 kilometers). That brings our tour total to 509 miles (819 kilometers). We will finish up our tour tomorrow with a visit to CERN.

Donations

We hope that you enjoy following us on this somewhat unconventional tour. If you are able, we would appreciate your support on our upcoming Walk from Obesity. All donations are tax deductible. It’s easy to donate on-line by most credit cards.

• Tom’s Walk from Obesity Fundraiser Page
• Chuck’s Walk from Obesity Fundraiser Page