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Doctors lose weight, inspire patients
Three Boca Raton doctors try different diets to shed pounds
Published Tuesday, January 13, 2004
by Kelli Kennedy

After years of doling out prescriptions and medical advice, these Boca Raton doctors are finally taking a dose of their own medicine. Although some said the dieting game was a bitter pill to swallow at first, they stuck to their goal and together lost more than 200 pounds.
ATKINS DIET
Dr. Jonathan Berman joined the Atkins craze, beefing up his protein intake and banishing carbohydrates from his diet. The long time plastic surgeon said he spent the majority of his days performing liposuction and breast enhancements on patients and decided it was time to start focusing on his own phsyique.
He lost 51 pounds cutting carbs “cold turkey,” which Berman said wasn’t tough because he filled up on his favorites-eggs, chicken, bacon, cheese and steak.
“The biggest plus is that I could eat all the things that I like,” said Berman, 44.
During his pre-Atkins lifestyle, the busy surgeon said he was always skipping meals and grabbing a cookie here and there. Now, he eats three protein rich meals a day and still manages to cheat with a morning cup of coffee.
“I feel terrific. I have renewed strength and energy,” said Berman, who lost 4 suit sizes. “My staff can’t keep up with me.”
His patients are also noticing a difference.
“My patients can’t believe it,” he said. “I’m always preaching to them about healthy diets, but now it’s much easier for me to say.”
GASTRIC BYPASS
General internist, Dr. Leon Goliger, lost 140 pounds with gastric bypass surgery and said his dramatic weight loss has also given him more credibility with his patients.
“I definitely did this for myself, but if it helps them address their problems, then it’s an added bonus,” said Goliger, whose private practice is based in Delray Beach.
As Goliger’S weight pushed 325 pounds, he was already suffering from serious health effects including high blood pressure, reflux disease, extreme fatigue and muscle ache.
And with more than 38.8 million Americans classified as obese, meaning their health is seriously at risk, Goliger said he didn’t want to become another statistic.
“After repetitive failure at conventional diet plans and with a rather formidable family history – it was clear that I needed to do something different,” said Goliger. “By the time you get to be as big as I was, diet and exercise alone aren’t going to cut it.”
He had the surgery in March 2002 and said he noticed an immediate decrease in his appetite. The procedure, which reroutes your intestines, essentially shrinking the stomach, drastically restricts how much and what types of food patients can eat.
“I eat basically anything I want-just less of it,” said Goliger, but heavy starches, like pizza and sweets, leave him feeling nauseas. “[The surgery] was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.”
DIET/EXERCISE COMBO

Unlike his colleagues, Dr. Mark Fisher said he decided to lose weight the “old fashion” way.
The Delray Beach cardiologist completely changed his lifestyle and incorporated a strict exercise regimen, which he believes is the key to changing your body.”
Although he lost 20 pounds by exercising six days a week and eating a diet rich in proteins, fruits and vegetables, Fisher said his poor eating habits were hard to break at first.
“I loved Ring Dings. My typical breakfast would include coffee and a handful of Ring Dings,” said Fisher, 47. “But a few hours later I would feel miserable.”
Now Fisher, who totally eliminated junk food from his diet, eats a bowl of oatmeal or dry cereal with fruit to get his morning off to a good start. Lunch and dinner consists of fish and chicken.
And Fisher said his regimen isn’t a trendy diet, but a lifestyle he will stick to for the rest of his life.
“I think people take their youth for granted and day you wake up and you see yourself in your early 40’s and you don’t like what you see,” said Fisher. “Now I feel great. I wake up and greet the day and there’s a big difference in my energy.”
Like Berman and Goliger, Fisher said his weight loss has also inspired his patients.
“It helps to serve as a role model for my patients,” said Fisher. “I tell them what I did and try to encourage them to do the same thing.”

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