Former NFL Players Tackle Problem of Obesity in Session with Khalili Center Weight Loss Surgeon

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to engage and educate former sports professionals on obesity issues,  Khalili Center (http://www.khalilicenter.com), a Beverly Hills weight loss surgery practice, represented by one of its leading surgeons Dr. Gregg Kai Nishi,  recently made a presentation to the NFL Former Players Association, Los Angeles Chapter. The Khalili Center has been designated as the Official Bariatric Consultant to the chapter.

While problems regarding football players suffering from brain injuries and other head traumas are well known, the obesity epidemic amongst current and former NFL players is far less publicized.  During the media blitz surrounding head trauma revelations, President Obama stated, "I'm a big football fan, but… if I had a son, I'd have to think long and hard before I'd let him play football." Perhaps his wife, Michele Obama, an advocate for healthy eating and lifestyles, would agree for a different reason. Her "Let's Move Initiative" mirrors the efforts of the Khalili Center to combat childhood obesity.

"Obesity and sports seems like an oxymoron," Dr. Kai Nishi says. "However, some athletes like NFL linemen, professional wrestlers and others, weight gain can be necessary to play their positions.  Unfortunately, once the sport ends for them, the eating habits and unhealthy weight can remain."

Former Detroit Lions offensive guard Chris Geile has a relevant personal story: "I was on a high calorie eating regimen to help replace calories burnt off in practices, workouts and games. But when my career ended, my eating habits stayed the same, and I gained quite a bit of weight due to the lack of physical activity I was used to."

At 461 pounds, Geile had difficulty working out and was diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Worried that he might not live to see his son grow up, he underwent Lap-Band® surgery and, three years later, lost 156 pounds, and sharply reduced pains in his back, knees and ankles. His diabetes and sleep apnea are gone, a healthy blood pressure is maintained, and he's off medications.

Geile's story is an all too common one, with many professional football players, linemen in particular, encouraged to "eat to play," in order to maintain the heavy weights the game demands. Upon retiring, many players discover that they're unable to shed this excess weight. Far too many retired players find themselves with obese bodies, poor eating habits, and a litany of injuries that make shedding their excess pounds difficult.

The rise of obesity in the NFL has coincided with the rise of the problem in the overall population. Back in 1970, there was only one player in the NFL over 300 pounds. By 1990, there were about 70 NFL players weighing more than 300 pounds. Currently, the number of NFL players exceeding 300 pounds has ballooned to over 500 players.

Khalili Center surgeons have performed weight loss surgery on numerous athletes, including former college football player, James Hardy, who has since successfully lost over 200 pounds. 

The Khalili Center is a one-of-a-kind medical practice offering a comprehensive approach to weight loss surgery, with tools and support to help people transform their lives.  Dr. Kai Nishi, a surgeon at the Center was named by HealthTap (http://www.healthtap.com) as the "Top Bariatrician in the Nation" for the Summer 2013 Top Doctor Competition.

The Center's surgeons, Dr. Theodore Khalili, Dr. G. Kai Nishi, and Dr. Eraj Basseri, have successfully performed over 5,000 weight loss surgery procedures, including Gastric Bypass, Gastric Banding, and Sleeve Gastrectomy.  The Khalili Center is located at 9033 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200, in Beverly Hills. 

SOURCE Khalili Center