Dropping lbs. Alan Fink of Lynbrook
Alan Fink
53, Lynbrook
After years of yo-yo dieting, where he'd lose -- and regain -- 50 to 60 pounds at a time, he finally turned to bariatric surgery.
"I first talked to my doctor about it in 2001-'02, but he thought it was too risky for me," says Fink, who was consistently topping 300 pounds by 2006.
"I was 47 and running out of time," says Fink, whose father died at age 52. "I had high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and joint pain. I was afraid I wasn't going to live."
He finally had lap-band surgery at NYU Medical Center in October 2007. Afterward, he lost 20 pounds a month consistently. By summer 2008, he was down to 180 pounds.
What would he say to those who think surgery is taking a shortcut? "Do you have a car, or do you drive a horse and buggy?" Fink says. "I think of the surgery as just another tool in the battle against obesity. "
He says his diet now is about 50 percent protein, 25 percent vegetables and 25 percent starchy vegetables. He starts the day with vegetable juice and oatmeal. Dinner is lean protein, vegetables and dessert.
"It is the first few bites that are really satisfying,'' says Fink.
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