Making a life-changing choice

CNA photo by BEN FROTSCHER Teaching moment: Creston cross country coach Pat Schlapia demonstrates running technique with help from Dana Miller during CrestonÕs cross country camp held in August. Since having the Lap-Band surgery, Schlapia has lost more than 100 pounds.

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

Pat Schlapia didn’t have an epiphany — he just said enough was enough. In the winter of 2007, Schlapia’s issues were mounting — dizzy spells, knee problems and rising blood pressure. All of these were increasing due to reaching an unwanted peak — weighing 344 pounds. “I was getting some messages from my body,” said Schlapia. “I started to do a lot of thinking and a lot of soul searching. There is a level where you’re considered morbidly obese — I was there. I’m not afraid to admit it. I was more than obese.” And in the United States, the statistics are staggering — 1 in 4 Americans are obese and 26.9 percent of Iowans are obese, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. But Schlapia’s weight gain was unique — he’d once been a 5-foot-11, 156-pound cross country and track star for Creston High School and Division II Northwest Missouri State. After graduating college and going into teaching — where he is now a computer keyboarding instructor for grades three through six in Creston — Schlapia noticed a trend. “The weight kept kind of moving up each year and I started to run a little less to the point where I wasn’t running any more,” said Schlapia. “It was easy to get to 344 and I was starting to wonder if the big 400 was going to happen.” And also as Creston’s boys track and coed cross country coach, he’d noticed that it was harder and harder every year to keep up with the daily grinds as a coach. “I was wondering if I was going to continue with the coaching cross country and track,” said Schlapia. “During practice, I could tell I wasn’t getting around as well as I should. I didn’t want to give it up — I needed to do something.” In June of 2007, Schlapia, 50, started a process that would change his life forever. That process uses what is called the Lap-Band, which is an inflatable silicone prosthetic device placed around the upper portion of the stomach. The Lap-Band creates a small pouch in the upper portion of the stomach, limiting the amount of food a patient can consume. Schlapia found out the day before the 2007 State Cross Country Championships that he’d been approved for the surgery though his insurance provider. He’d been rejected once before due to needing a current diet plan in place. “There was a letter in the mailbox saying you’ve been approved,” said Schlapia. “It still gets me — the emotions of it all. I didn’t say anything to the boys then, but that was a sweet weekend — Matt (Lanning) running at state and knowing I was approved. I did let the family know I was approved when I was leaving town. It was almost the moment of truth.” Schlapia had the procedure done Dec. 3, 2007. The days that followed involved a full liquid diet, pureed diet, then to soft foods and finished with his current plan — a 1,500 to 1,900 calorie-a-day diet. Dr. James Mansour, his local physician, said that the key to making this work for the rest of your life is following the guidelines. “You have to diet like this — it doesn’t do this automatically,” said Mansour. “You still have to say no. You have to keep motivated to stay healthy, eat right and exercise.” And that kind of diet has been a big change for Schlapia. “I like food — I like a lot of food,” said Schlapia. “There wasn’t a buffet I didn’t like. Yeah, super size me. I went to the local convenience store and started my morning with three frosted candy donuts and a big 48 or 60 ounce Diet Coke.” With changing what he can eat and drink, Schlapia has had to change how he consumes a meal. To avoid hiccups, you must chew each bite 25 to 30 times and you can’t drink anything 10 minutes before a meal or 30 to 40 minutes afterwards. In essence, a meal should take 30 minutes to consume. Along with a change in diet — no pop, smaller portions — Schlapia has also picked up an exercise routine. Starting at 10- to 12-minute walks, Schlapia now walks between 30 to 60 minutes six to seven days a week. “I’ve made it part of the daily routine,” said Schlapia. “If I don’t do it, I’m missing something. That’s kind of the feeling now.” It’s really a life-long commitment. Schlapia goes back for periodic adjustments in Des Moines at the Bariatric Surgery Program and when an adjustment is needed, a needle is inserted into the Lap-Band with a saline solution. The solution tightens the Lap-Band itself. “He’s doing very well — he’s losing weight a little bit more than normal,” said Dr. Todd Eibes, medical director for the Bariatric Surgery Program. “The last time I saw him, he lost more than 60 percent of his excessive weight. He could not be doing any better.” And while the results have shown through physically, Creston cross country runner Dana Miller has noticed a change in Schlapia’s attitude as well. “I’ve noticed his attitude is a lot more positive and he has the will-power to stay away from the sweets and goodies,” said Miller. “In the future, I kind of want to see him run with us.” For Schlapia, it’s a goal down the road. “I always enjoyed running — No. 1 thing in my life with coaching cross country and track,” said Schlapia. “I have many goals, but one of them is to get back to running. I want to go to some of the fun runs and road races — those were always a blast.” And in the eight months that have passed since the surgery, Schlapia has noticed the benefits in coaching. “The kids mean a lot to me — I wouldn’t be teaching and coaching if the kids didn’t mean a lot to me,” said Schlapia. “That was one part of my life that I didn’t want to give up. I knew something had to be done and I can see a big difference in getting around.” Schlapia said the only way he could have achieved this higher quality of life — his No. 1 reason for going through this process — is because of the people around him. “They say you need a support system and I’ve had a great support system — starting out with my mom and my family,” said Schlapia. “My friends, school administrators, fellow coaches, kids and staff have been real supportive of this whole process.” —————— Ben Frotscher can be reached at 782-2141, ext. 246 or bfrotscher@crestonnews.com