Elvis Duran, the host of the nationally syndicated "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show," has openly shared his struggles with weight and his successful journey to a healthier lifestyle. His story is one of courage, determination, and the importance of seeking help when needed.
The Turning Point: A Wake-Up Call from Dr. Oz
Duran's weight had been a long-standing insecurity. A pivotal moment occurred when Dr. Mehmet Oz, the famed cardiologist and host of "The Dr. Oz Show," visited Duran's studio. During the show, Dr. Oz took Duran's blood pressure and was alarmed by the results. He urged Duran to seek immediate medical attention, stating that his blood pressure was dangerously high. This encounter served as a critical wake-up call, prompting Duran to seriously consider options for addressing his obesity. "He wanted to rush me to the hospital, he wanted to put me in a cab and take me to the hospital,” Duran, 54, recalled of the moment Oz suggested the radio personality seek help for his struggle with obesity. Duran credits Dr. Oz with pushing him "over the ledge" and encouraging him to explore weight loss surgery.
The Decision: Gastric Bypass Surgery
After considering his options, Duran decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery in December 2014. During the procedure, known as a sleeve gastrectomy, a large portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller, banana-shaped sleeve. This smaller stomach restricts the amount of food a person can eat, leading to a feeling of fullness sooner and for a longer period. "Push comes to shove, I weighed 140 lbs more than I do now. [I] went in and had the bariatric sleeve procedure done. Basically, what that is, is they take out two-thirds of your stomach so you get full faster. It’s a simple thing and so far, knock on wood, it’s still working." The procedure also decreases levels of hunger hormones so they feel less hungry. Patients typically lose up to 65 percent of excess weight over an 18-month period.
Dr. Ajay Goyal, founder of New Jersey Bariatric Center® and Director of Bariatric Surgery at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, notes, "The Gastric Sleeve, like the Gastric Bypass, works to control hunger hormones so patients who choose these procedures feel less hunger, which helps in controlling portion size and caloric intake".
The Transformation: A New Lease on Life
In eight months, Duran lost 105 pounds, going from 265 to 160 pounds. Duran added that along with surgery, he’s made several lifestyle tweaks to maintain his weight loss. “I’m doing really well with working out. It’s something that’s still a little newer to me. With food, I basically eat what I want, I just can’t eat the quantity I used to eat. I’m doing really well there too. I feel better now. I can walk without sweating like [I’m wearing] a sweater. I’m thankful that I had the guts, literally, to go through with the procedure and get it done. "I feel awesome! I’ve got all this energy,” Duran, 51, told “Nightline” in an interview this week. “It’s still kind of a shock. I don’t even know who I am. I look at old pictures of me … and I don’t feel like I’m that guy anymore but then I look at pictures of me now and I’m not quite sure I’m this guy. So I don’t know, It’s kind of confusing. I’m an alien living in someone else’s body. It’s kind of strange.”
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Adjusting to a New Lifestyle
Duran has openly discussed the challenges of adjusting to his new eating habits. "Going through this procedure is a lot of needles, a lot of blood work, a lot of testing. It’s a lot,” he said. “And then after the procedure you have to re teach yourself how to eat. It all starts with fluids. You eat fluids for weeks and weeks and slowly introduce solids into your life. It’s not easy. It’s not easy at all. I would not recommend this for anyone unless they truly had to save their life by doing it.” He admits to missing the ability to "pig out" on his favorite foods but understands that he can only eat small portions.
Sharing His Story: Inspiring Others
Duran has been very open with his listeners about his weight loss journey, sharing his experiences and encouraging others who may be struggling with obesity to consider all available options. “I had no hesitation in coming on the air and talking about it because it’s an option for a lot of people who are battling obesity and they need to take care of that. Like cancer, it can kill you. If you have cancer, you have surgery, you dig it out. Same thing with this; if you’re obese, you can save your life.
“I think the message I’m trying to send is, ‘look if you’re in a position where your future, your health, your life depends on losing weight and you’ve tried other ways and it hasn’t worked for you, consider this, look into it and see if its right for you, don’t be ashamed of it,’” Duran said.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Along with surgery, Duran has made significant lifestyle changes to maintain his weight loss. He is committed to working out and being more physically active. He also pays close attention to his diet, focusing on eating healthy foods in moderation.
Visualizing Success: The Mannequin
Oddly, one of the most striking objects in Duran's office has little to do with the radio business. When he was more than 100 pounds overweight, Duran pointed to a mannequin and said, "that's the body I want." After reaching his 130-pound weight loss goal, he placed a mannequin in his office to remind him of how far he's come. He also has a map detailing where the program is #1 across the country to "show us where we are and where we want to go," Duran says.
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The Importance of Support
Duran emphasizes the importance of having a strong support system throughout the weight loss process. He credits his boyfriend, Alex Carr, with providing unwavering support and encouragement. "We are extremely low-key. We would prefer to stay home, watch TV, wear our stretchy shorts and T-shirts and pet the dog,” Duran said. “I’m a city guy, he’s a suburban guy. I’m more of a white-collar guy, he’s more of a blue-collar guy. He can fix things, I break things. I’ve learned so much about animals, conservation, reproduction and saving species. We’ve been on safari together three times. I never would have done that until he came into my life. I try to think, ‘What have I done for him?’ Not really anything as monumental.
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