You probably remember recent blog items I've written about Patrick Deuel, the former half-ton man, who opted for dangerous gastric bypass surgery. After seven months of monitored care in a Sioux Falls, S.D., hospital, Deuel, now weighing in at about 610 pounds, will be heading home in a couple of weeks to begin the process of truly living a healthier lifestyle.

But it won't be easy. Deuel has felt conflicted about leaving the hospital and their constant care. And, because the 42-year-old man suffered wound infections after his bypass surgery from a tube that provides extra protein, Deuel's mobility and weight loss -- just 41 pounds since the surgery -- has been limited.

Think about it. Thanks to a restricted diet -- probably limiting or eliminating grains and sugars from his diet -- and a controlled exercise program, Deuel lost about 90 percent of those 451 pounds to date WITHOUT SURGERY. Just taking those simple steps can make a world of difference in your quest for optimal health.

Yahoo News January 5, 2005