Transformative Journey of Yaakov Tabrizi

Yaakov Tabrizi vividly recalls a pivotal moment in his life. At just 12 years old, following the death of his father, he began to gain weight rapidly. This change, he believes, stemmed from emotional eating that spiraled out of control.

“If I felt sad, I’d eat. If I felt joy, I’d eat,” Tabrizi, now 19 and from the southern moshav of Noga, reflected. He recounted consuming massive amounts of food, sometimes eating what he described as meals meant for almost three people.

As time passed, the consequences of his weight gain became dire. By 13, he had diabetes, and by 16, he weighed 202 kilograms (around 445 pounds). This situation affected not just his health but also day-to-day activities.

“It was really tough,” he shared. “I couldn’t dress myself or tie my shoes because bending down was a challenge. Walking with friends became impossible; after a short distance, I felt faint.”

He also faced social difficulties, experiencing public mockery and embarrassment that kept him from engaging in normal activities.

Efforts to Lose Weight

Tabrizi attempted various strategies to shed pounds, including different diets and medications, but nothing seemed to work.

At 15, he urged his family to consider bariatric surgery. Due to being underage, he had to navigate a long approval process that involved thorough medical assessments.

Doctors determined that his condition was serious, with potential harm to vital organs like the liver and kidneys, leading to an exceptional approval for surgery.

The Surgical Process

Given the risks tied to his condition, doctors decided on a two-part surgical approach.

The initial procedure, a sleeve gastrectomy, helped him lose around 50 kilograms (110 pounds). Six months later, he underwent a second operation, a duodenal bypass.

Life After the Transformation

Currently, Tabrizi’s weight stands at 89 kilograms (about 196 pounds), marking a significant loss of over 110 kilograms (approximately 240 pounds) from his heaviest. He mentioned that this transformation has rejuvenated his health and independence, even reversing his diabetes.

“I’ve received my life back as a gift,” he expressed.

Now enrolled in a post-secondary program, he openly shares his journey and has noticed a shift in how others perceive him.

“People who once mocked me now come up and compliment how I look,” he said, also noting that he prefers to distance himself from those who belittled him in the past.

Staying on Track

Maintaining his weight loss hasn’t posed a struggle so far, Tabrizi explained, attributing this to a complete change in his eating habits and mindset.

“I can eat anything, just in much smaller portions,” he added. “My body feels full.” He plans to have additional procedures to address excess skin in the near future.

A Broader Medical View

Dr. Anya Feigin, a lead surgeon at Sheba Medical Center, emphasized that severe obesity is a chronic issue with extensive health implications.

“Obesity impacts every facet of life,” she noted, highlighting the increased chances of heart disease, diabetes, and more. She affirmed that bariatric surgery remains the most effective long-term solution for qualifying patients.

“There are no quick fixes,” she cautioned, noting that while some alternative treatments exist, they cannot replace surgery in such serious cases.