Originally Published: 2010-07-18

Lose five pounds in five days with pills that promise miracles or on liquid and fasting diets befitting the most ancient of witchcraft practices. Every day, millions of people all over the world are bombarded by anti-obesity campaigns – TV ads and newspaper inserts that scold anyone even slightly overweight, reminding them of the risks of obesity. And when dieting no longer works, surgery comes into play – considered a last resort by many.
There are many procedures on the market that help one lose weight. Yes, the market. Because here in North America, individuals must suffer for beauty and dip into their savings account.
The cost for gastric banding in Canada varies from $15,000 to $20,000. In Italy, the procedure is covered by national healthcare, but at this point it appears to have been replaced by the more common vertical banded gastroplasty procedure.
Many patients also turn to abdominal surgery because they’re aware of the risks that obesity – the most widespread metabolic disturbance in western industrialized nations – entails, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and reduced life expectancy are all discussed. All these risks merge into much more serious consequences. A heart attack is foremost among them. So on to the race for remedies before it’s too late.

Toronto Man Loses 118 kg
It was a decision that changed his life – one, however, that’s not for everyone, he warns. But his self-esteem was rock bottom. He was tired of thinking only of food. The diets he tried were not enough. Exercise?
“I went to the gym once, but when you’re that overweight, you’re embarrassed being among people, so I never went back.”
Tom Saridis (pictured above) has been battling the bulge since childhood.“It was because of the quantity and quality of what I ate.”
Saridis decided to undergo stomach stapling in 2006; he has lost 118 kilos. The 38-year-old now weighs 101 kilos. He is the founder of Canadian Institute of Bariatric Options (CIBO), which opened its doors in July 2008 at Leslie Street and Sheppard Avenue.

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