A Nation at Large:Local man prepares for gastric bypass procedure

Although weight has been a problem at times for Oak Grove resident David Offenberger, it hasn't always been such an issue.

Offenberger, 53, and a shade under 400 pounds, said there was a time when he could lose 50 pounds or more with little effort.

"The difference today is that I have health problems that prevents me from doing the things I need to do to burn off those calories," he said.

Battling a bad back, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a host of other complications, Offenberger said it was time for a "gut check."

In a few months, he is expected to undergo gastric bypass surgery, which is expected to help him lose as much as half his current body weight and get off most, if not all, of the 19 medications he currently takes.

"Twenty years ago, I would have said this was a vanity issue," he said. "Today it is about health issues and whether or not I want to live another five years or another 20 or 25 years."

Still, there was excitement in Offenberger's voice when he spoke about his hopes for life after the surgery.

"I have become something of a recluse," he said. "I've become less involved in the things I like, like acting or going out with friends. I can't buy clothes off a rack at a store. I hate to go to a restaurant because I don't want to be the person looked at or talked about.... This is a tremendous opportunity for me to have a whole lifestyle change."

The change for gastric bypass candidates begins with a three- to six-month counseling course prior to surgery. Patients learn about the procedure, but also how and what to eat after the surgery. For the first several months after a gastric bypass surgery, a patient's stomach is only able to hold about 3 ounces of food or fluid. The stomach "pouch" will slowly stretch to be able to hold about a cup.

Patients who undergo the process are capable of losing 50 to 80 percent of their body weight. Most of the excess weight will be lost within the first year after surgery. Only morbidly obese individuals are considered as candidates for the procedure.

"You learn a lot about the things that trigger you to eat," Offenberger said. "This surgery isn't a simple cure. It can be undone, because that pouch will stretch and you still need to eat right afterwards."

Offenberger said he does not fear the surgery.

"I'm ready," he said. "The pain from the surgery will go away. I live in pain every day, now. So I can take whatever pain there is.

"I'm looking forward to getting my life back and not taking all of these pills everyday."