Edinburgh New Years Day Triathlon 2010

Completed Edinburgh Edinburgh New Years Day Triathlon, even momentarily overtook a few people on the downhill cycle but was then rapidly overtaken again on the hill climbs. This is my fourth ever triathlon and the first one I've ever done without any resting or stopping! Swim and cycle were OK but run was very slow, never been much of a runner. Rode my old heavy mountain bile with the thick tyres because was worried about slipping off in the ice, slick tyres on my road bike might have been too slippery. My final position this year overall was last but with a faster time than previous years, it does not matter, at least I competed and finished. I could not have never started prior to my lap band. It would be better to be below 100Kg and I wish to get to this weight before the 2010 Etape Caledonia which I'm going to do again this May. NYD Pictures here.

Well done to Catherine, Will & Anna who did a team swim, cycle and run. Anna is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro next summer for Child Reach International so if anyone can sponsor her follow this link

My fund raising for my cycle ride from Lands End to John O'Groats last summer for 500 Miles is now officially closed and I thank everyone who donated, a total of £10,490 was raised. Coincidentally there is a television program Africa's Walk of Hope all about Olivia Giles and 500 Miles, the documentary film charts Olivia's attempt to spread her charitable work to Zambia. Olivia experiences first hand some of the prejudice that surrounds disability in southern Africa which only makes her more determined for the charity to be successful. The program is on BBC One Scotland Monday 4th January at 1930. Because of all this I'm now thinking of taking a three month sabbatical to go to Africa next year 2011 to perform orthopaedic surgery

A few other bits in media, short article on advisory labels in clothing for the obese "Flab-fighting surgeon wants to collar obesity" article originally in last weeks The Sunday Post. 

Also on Sunday 3rd Jan should be a article in Scotland on Sunday on Lothian Cycling Campaign - Spokes Cycling Group which I strongly support. Joined this group for the picture and spent a lot of time last year getting fit with the Cycling Edinburgh.

 

Motivational Jamie

Lots happened over last few months since last post. Done a fair bit of whitewater kayaking and done theory part for PADI Rescue Diver.

Today have had radio interview with Radio 5 Live - Victoria Derbyshire about a man waiting for bariatric surgery but access to local hospital is difficult.

Today introduced Jamie Andrew at annual Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh Children’s lecture. Jamie lost all four of his limbs secondary to hypothermia and had bilateral below knee and elbow amputations. He made an amazing recovery, his tale is amazing. His story captivated the students and he gave two messages that run very true to my experience of bariatric surgery:

1) You are not alone, there are many people out there that can help, be humble and accept the help.

2) Take on bite size challenges to help you get there in the end. You have got time to achieve the challenge, whatever it is and to succeed to victory!

What an inspiration and an amazing man! It was an honour to introduce Jamie.

Cycling Inspiration

Have had much inspiration for my cycling back to fitness from Mark Beaumont whom is currently Cycling the Americas, have been following and messaging on Twitter. I would love to do a really long cycle like this one day.

Lothian Bariatric Service

I keep getting asked about access to weight loss surgery services. These services are evolving at various speeds around the United Kingdom. The local access to Lothian NHS services around Edinburgh can be found here.

Who to refer: In line with both QIS and NICE guidelines only the following patients should be referred to the clinic. Note that prospective patients must satisfy ALL of these criteria:
* Lothian resident referrals only.
* Those with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more, or between 35 kg/m2 and 40 kg/m2 if they also have other significant disease (for example, type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure) that could only be improved if they lost weight.
* Patients who have already demonstrated a genuine commitment to change their lifestyle (both diet and physical activity) in order to lose weight. As evidence of this patients should have been on a recognised weight management programme for at least three months before referral.
* All appropriate non-surgical measures have been tried, including prescribed weight-loss drugs unless contraindicated, but have failed to achieve or maintain, adequate weight loss for at least 6 months.
* Treatable medical, endocrine and psychological causes for the obesity have been excluded.
* Those who are fit for anaesthesia and surgery.
* Those who acknowledge the need for long-term follow up.

Patients who meet the criteria should be referred for assessment to the Bariatric Nurse Clinic at OPD 4, RIE. The main contact number for this clinic is 0131 242 1209 Only referrals that are made using the NHS Lothian Bariatric Referral Gateway Proforma will be accepted. Contact point for enquiries: The Bariatric Nurse Specialist Clinic, OPD4 RIE bariatric.service@luht.scot.nhs.uk All referrals must come through the patient’s GP.

Who not to refer: Non Lothian resident patients. Referrals for these are required to be made through their host NHS Board.
* Patients who do not meet the BMI criteria.
* Patients who have not had explained to them that surgery brings with it the potential for the same mortality rate associated with any elective general surgical procedure – and the potential for between 10-20% of patients to experience complications following surgery.
* Patients who do not understand or commit to the lifelong dietary and lifestyle changes that must be made to achieve a successful outcome from surgery.
* Patients with current drug or alcohol addiction.


Resources:
NICE Clinical Guideline 43 - Quick Reference Guide 2 (December 2006) – Obesity.

Weight, Taxes, Over-consumption!

Heard a reply on Radio 1, about my thoughts on advisory weight checks, someone replied jokingly that your tax code should be directly linked to your weight, whatever next? A bit severe perhaps? However, when I was born in the sixties the world population was 3 Billion now its nearly 7 Billion, its more than doubled in half a decade. This is unsustainable. all the food is certainly going to run out one day, probably just coinciding with our totally overheating the planet. Food prices are already going up due to shortages. However by the time the planet overheats there will be no infrastructure for taxes anyway? This is depressing.

However there was a not unreasonable story a few years ago about clothes made in larger sizes should carry a tag with an obesity helpline number. Sweets and snacks should not be permitted near checkouts, new roads should not be built unless they include cycle lanes and food likely to make people fat should be taxed, they say in a checklist of what we might “reasonably do” to deal with obesity. Writing in the British Medical Journal, the team says that “pull yourself together, eat less and exercise more” is an inadequate response to obesity, voiced only by “less perceptive health professionals” and the media. I would agree!

The checklist of possible actions includes:
* Printing a helpline numbers for advice with all clothes sold with a waist of more than 40in for men and 37in for boys, women’s garments with a waist of more than 35in or size 16 or above, and more than 31in for girls
* Banning the placement of sweets and fatty snacks at or near shop tills and at children’s eye level
* Taxing processed foods that are high in sugar or saturated fat
* Introducing health checks for all school leavers, both primary and secondary
* Allowing new urban roads only if they have cycle lanes
* Establishing a dedicated central agency responsible for all aspects of obesity

BBC - Time to get tougher on obesity?

Bit of a media frenzy yesterday, BBC TV satellite truck arrived at house at crack of dawn, two live interviews for BBC Breakfast and then radio with BBC Newcastle, BBC Ulster, BBC Wales, BBC Scotland. Later in day had a further interview with Radio 4 PM with Eddie Mair. This all came about because of the article I was asked to write by the BBC for Scrubbing Up - Time to get tough on obesity. The article is here. The follow up comments (mostly supportive) are here. The article was provocative and advocated yearly advisory weight checks for obesity for all. I realise that many will not like the idea and wish to remain in ignorance of their BMI, but its the unaware; the people who do not realise they are obese and the children whom may not know better that I  worry about most. Many people have still got their heads stuck in a barrel regrading obesity. I wonder how much my story and thoughts will change behaviour?

The statistic for 50% of the population to be obese by 2050 is truly worrying, we must get tough on the obesity epidemic and I guess its going to get unpalatable (no pun intended) in the future. I wonder about the carbon footprint of obesity, it must be gigantic. We have outgrown our evolution into a sedentary, lazy lifestyle with for the present over abundant access to inappropriate food for those in the western world. I was flattered by the follow up I have had, was nice to be asked to be a guest speaker at the National Obesity Forum meeting next week in London, but just cannot attend as its only five days away and I must do my on-call, will get involved with this group I hope.

Look forward this weekend to the 500 Miles Ball, I'm doing the Miles for Smiles Challenge, not surprisingly on a bike.

Obesity In Mid-life Reduces The Chance Of Healthy Survival In Women

Obesity In Mid-life Reduces The Chance Of Healthy Survival In Women

A new study by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) researchers has found that, among a large study population of women who lived until at least age 70, being overweight in mid-life was associated with having more health problems later in life, including multiple chronic diseases, and impaired cognitive function, physical function and mental health. Women who were lean at age 18 and maintained a healthy weight through mid-life had the best odds of achieving optimal health later in life. It is the first study to show the role adiposity may play in the overall health of women who survive to older ages.

Next ten years and beyond with the Lap Band

Fund-raising all over, £10,000 raised for 500 Miles Flyspec. Thankfully now will not bother anybody for years! Thanks again for all the kind support to those that donated and those that gave good wishes. But I am planning to do Lands End John O'Groats Cycle again in 2020 and 2030, perhaps beyond......fitness plan for the next decades. I’ll be 60 and 70 then. Who knows what next? Well booked for the next year; white-water kayaking in Scotland Grand Rivers tour this November, more diving this autumn and in 2010 going to white water kayak the Sun Kosi river in Nepal. Still need a few targets to chase. Remember the band is just a tool.

Pedal for Scotland 2009

Pedal For Scotland 2009 Glasgow-Edinburgh cycle was really quite easy this year, with the route into South Queensferry taken out it was all over very quickly. Memories go back to three years ago when I first completed the ride in the pouring rain. This year all the hills seemed a lot flatter. Now thinking of doing a AUDAX endurance cycle ride of 200km later this year, whatever next?

500 Miles Flyspec fund-raising going well and I'm sure will reach the 10K target by the end of the month.

BBC Health have asked me to write a piece on obesity for the Scrubbing Up Column which should come out at the end of the September.

BBC Radio Scotland Interview Medical Matters Gastric Banding

BBC Radio Scotland Interview; Cathy MacDonald talks to former TV-am presenter Anne Diamond and also Chris Oliver about weight gain and decisions to have a gastric band fitted.Interview with me was done at Holy Corner in Edinburgh 2/3 of the way through my Lands End to John O'Groats cycle. My bit is about 20 minutes in! Link is here on BBC Listen again. (available to 16th September 09).