Dropping Pounds: Debbie Biagini
Debbie Biagini, 36, of Middle Island, lost 128 pounds in less than 12 months, thanks to gastric bypass surgery on May 17, 2013. She went from 265 to 147. Credit: Handout; Newsday / Chuck Fadely
HER STORY After a lifetime of being overweight, it was a dream of having a family that finally convinced Debbie Biagini to have gastric bypass surgery.
"I was always overweight, and having polycystic ovary syndrome was a big factor," says Biagini, who adds that the disease also affected her hormonally, making weight loss that much harder.
An emotional eater, Biagini's go-to comfort food was anything with carbs: pasta, bread, sour- cream-and-onion potato chips.
"I could look at food and gain weight," Biagini says. "I was told I would have a high-risk pregnancy because of the obesity." (Biagini is now divorced and does not yet have children.)
"I was letting five minutes of pleasure from food affect my entire life," says Biagini.
"I did the research about what was expected and what to expect," says Biagini, who adds that ideally she'd like to lose 17 more pounds.
"But, if I don't lose another ounce, I'm still just as happy," says Biagini, who went from a size 24 to a size 8-10.
DIET After years of eating whatever and as much as she wanted, Biagini now eats six small meals a day.
Breakfast is usually yogurt or a scrambled egg with bacon. Midmorning and afternoon snacks are a protein roll-up of a slice or two of low-fat turkey breast and a slice of cheese or a protein shake. Dinner is a protein with vegetables.
Because the size of her stomach is severely limited, she doesn't drink liquids with a meal. And carbonated drinks, bread and most carbs are off the menu.
EXERCISE After a lifetime of either ignoring exercise or doing it halfheartedly, she now goes to the gym three to five times a week for 45 minutes to an hour. Because of the excess skin, she spends time toning her stomach, arms and legs.
ADVICE "You have to do the research, the work before and after the surgery," says Biagini, who adds that surgery is a tool, not a cop-out, as some people see it. "You have to know what you're getting into because it is a lifestyle change."
Debbie Biagini
36, Middle Island
Occupation: Employee benefits supervisor, Middle Country Central School District
Height: 5-foot
265 Weight before May 2013
147 Weight after April 2014
'Success is zero deaths on the roadway' Newsday reporters spent this year examining the risks on Long Island's roads, where traffic crashes over a decade killed more than 2,100 people and seriously injured more than 16,000. This documentary is a result of that newsroom-wide effort.
'Success is zero deaths on the roadway' Newsday reporters spent this year examining the risks on Long Island's roads, where traffic crashes over a decade killed more than 2,100 people and seriously injured more than 16,000. This documentary is a result of that newsroom-wide effort.
