Mike Melloh - A Harrowing Surgery Story You Have to Hear to Believe

Рет қаралды 21,360

11 ай бұрын

For full episode show notes and resources, visit: www.plantstrongpodcast.com/blog/mike-melloh
Not long ago, we received an email that stopped us in our tracks. It was a letter of thanks written to Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., but the email also told a harrowing story that was so compelling, we just had to share it with you.
And, it’s actually the first time Rip and his Father have interviewed a patient together on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast.
Mike Melloh was seemingly doing everything right. He exercised regularly, ate a “healthy” diet, and even booked appointments for preventative tests to ensure he was a picture of health, as he always believed.
What happened next is something no one could predict, but it's given Mike a whole new appreciation for life and for the power of whole food, plant-based nutrition.
His story and the facts Dr. Esselstyn share today are powerful. Please listen and share because it just may save a life.

Пікірлер: 80

@cynthiahoskinds239 10 ай бұрын

What an ABSOLUTE LIFE~SAVING episode today! The mother of my dear friend died from this same procedure in June of this year. I’m asking for all who are willing to to agree with me in prayer that we all adopt this WFPB lifestyle asap! God,give me the discipline to save my own life!🙏

@freddistenbrain8287 11 ай бұрын

I have a similar cautionary tale to tell. I was diagnosed with early prostate cancer by three different urologists, all of whom only offered surgical removal of the prostate or radiation as treatment options. Just like with Mr. Melloh's doctors, there was no discussion of watchful waiting or watchful waiting in conjunction with diet therapy. This is despite studies published 10+ years earlier in top medical journals that showed the effectiveness of the latter approach for early prostate cancer. Being as ignorant of this at the time as my doctors, I chose radiation treatment and am now suffering the inevitable consequences, incontinence and impotence. These side effects were also not explained by the doctors. The hard lesson I learned is to not trust the doctors and to do your own research. Read, read and keep reading. Don't do any kind of treatment until you know more than the doctors and can make an informed decision yourself.

@returntoyehovahthelord6185 11 ай бұрын

Oh brother. I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve learned there are many procedures that don’t need to be performed these days. It makes me mad that we trust doctors to do the right thing but other factors affect their decisions. I hope you can find some relief or improvement for your condition. I don’t know enough about it but it might be possible. Take care.

@freddistenbrain8287 11 ай бұрын

@@returntoyehovahthelord6185 Thanks for your kind words. And yes, doctors have become completely untrustworthy.

@purityandplants 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m so sorry you went through this. Is there anything that can reverse it? 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

@purityandplants 11 ай бұрын

@@returntoyehovahthelord6185I was just telling my 12 and 13 year old children about this! Even at this young age I want them to know to do their own research instead of just blindly following medical advice from “the professionals” like I’ve done for so many years! After having my youngest child, I had a bit of incontinence and my doctor suggested mesh. I declined and the issue resolved on its own!!! I might have done some kegels or something but I don’t remember 😅

@freddistenbrain8287 11 ай бұрын

@@purityandplants Unfortunately not. My plumbing has been well and truly nuked. Doctors will claim success because the cancer is gone, but the chances are that diet therapy would have had the same result with the only side effect being improved health. I'm totally done with doctors and, when necessary, now tell them what I want them to do.

@DKR-1881 11 ай бұрын

Wow, my goodness. If this doesn't scare the living hell out of you to change to whole food plant based, then nothing will.

@bitfinesse 11 ай бұрын

What a great talk. Now that Dr. Esselstyn set me straight on which vinegar to use, I’m driving across the country with an Insta pot, full of potatoes and a large, rectangular Pyrex container, full of steamed purple cabbage, anointed with rice vinegar garlicand chili powder. Dr. Esselstyn is the man!

@LeeAnnahsCreations 11 ай бұрын

Balsamic Vinegar, right?

@billdublewhopper3064 11 ай бұрын

@@LeeAnnahsCreationsthe olive tap vinegar is delicious.

@jgrysiak6566 11 ай бұрын

I take my air fryer with me when traveling, I buy sweet potatoes, yams & potatoes when I arrive @ my destination. Try to get a motel near a grocery store.

@returntoyehovahthelord6185 11 ай бұрын

Dr. Esselstyn summed things up around the 1:06:00 mark. The part i wish everyone could get a hold of. Eating this way is inexpensive; you don’t have to be a chef; you can make simple meals (like baked potato with salsa, or black beans with brown rice). So many people want to run to supplements instead of eating the foods from which they’re derived. Rip, I know you and your family preach and live that daily. I just wish the word could get out even further. Thanks for sharing Mike and fir all you guys do! 👍👊👏👏😎

@Jeffs60 11 ай бұрын

Here is a more proven diet. Ernestine Shepherd, 86, oldest Guinness world record female bodybuilder, her diet consists of 1,700 calories a day, mostly from boiled eggs, chicken, vegetables, and a liquid eggs drink, and she runs about 80 miles a week. Johanna Quaas, age 97, 2012 Guinness record world’s oldest gymnast, likes to eat vegetables, fruits as well as a moderate amount of German meat. Herbert P. Douglass Olympic Medalist, age 101 favorite food, ham, spinach, macaroni, eggs, milk and Italian bread. Kenny Meyer age 102, the world's oldest skydiver eats 2 eggs sunny side up every day. He was very health conscious and very fit. Guinness World record highest IQ Marilyn vos Savant 5’8” 125 lbs favorite foods are burgers, fish, vegetables, potatoes plus bread with butter. Manohar Aich, 1952 Mr. Universe, age 104, he credited his good health with a simple diet of milk, fruits and vegetables along with rice, lentils and fish. Jim Arrington, 90, Guinness world record oldest bodybuilder eats daily, cottage cheese, beef, chicken and fish, also has raw salads with each meal, consumes about 1 liter of olive per week and has moderate carb intake. Betty Linberg age 98, does the 5K run, eats for breakfast eggs, bacon, toast, raspberries and blueberries. Guinness World record oldest physician Dr. Leila Denmark eats 1 egg every day and each meal has a high quality protein, starch and vegetables.

@tabitharussell5567 11 ай бұрын

Mike, after hearing your story I am committed to stick to this way of eating no matter what. Thank you for taking the time to share it and thank you to Rip and Essy for all you do. ❤

@racheledwards1727 11 ай бұрын

Incredible. Thank you Rip, Mike and Dr. Esselstyn for sharing this conversation. What an important story and great message.

@purityandplants 11 ай бұрын

Unreal!!!! 😱 Praise God he survived! 🙌🏾 This certainly makes me want to take the whole food plant based lifestyle more seriously. 😨

@lorrainestone 6 ай бұрын

That is so true. My husband had stents and the doctor was asked about diet and his words were, it's patients like you that keep us in business.😢

@okcarter2404 4 ай бұрын

@lorrainestone I'm so sorry for the professional abuse your husband and you were subjected to. It is such a self-serving, selfish arrogance of too many in the American profession that I learned of during my career in health care policy. I have been exposed to similar attitudes, not quite that blatant! Blessings! ❤

@MicheleMoore7161959 11 ай бұрын

Wow! What a story. Thank you for sharing this!

@tosca... 11 ай бұрын

What a saga! And what an amazing outcome. You can see Dr Esselstyn's concerns are quite rightly the medical profession and its inability to accept diet as a factor in treatment for heart disease. It's just incredible that the medical profession remains so ignorant and arrogant about a whole food plant based diet (WFPB). I always think back to my own father's death when I was 27 and he had just turned 53. He had been jogging (as running was called back then), as he did every morning before work when he had a massive heart attack next to the duck pond and my mother after his run. I think of my beloved father every time I see Dr Esselstyn and know things could have been so different. The struggle with the medical profession is problem number one!

@joemcgrath8090 11 ай бұрын

Great interview Rip and Dr E. I love when you and your dad are on together.

@demesrvl6761 3 ай бұрын

I listened to this podcast when it first came out. Recently, my cardiologist prescribed a cardiac test and wants me to get a stent. I am asymptomatic, and I've been WFPB SSO-free 18 months. I just watched this again. Thank you to Mike, Rip, and Dr. E. I won't be having a stent!

@charlesdeshler202 11 ай бұрын

Mike... Thanks for sharing your story. Prayers for you and your health, and happiness. Thanks to Rip and his Father for their efforts and input. We need to educate ourselves and process with caution especially when surgery is considered.

@tracyscheig2522 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing this story. Very impactful. I am so happy for you, Mike and your family that you made it through.

@beccasteele6874 7 ай бұрын

My God in heaven this was a nightmare of a procedure i am so sorry you went thru all this

@jamie86403 11 ай бұрын

Wonderful interview. So glad Mr. Melloh shared his experience. This should be a part of anyone’s “scared straight” program for anyone who’s looking to be convinced of sticking with a heart healthy diet and lifestyle.

@cathyscott5548 11 ай бұрын

He was pescatarian and ate eggs before his surgery. So he eliminated those items and took statins to bring his cholesterol down. Not sure how plant eating after surgery affected his blood work unless he was eating vegetarian junk food prior. Glad he is doing ok. A follow-up interview after he stops taking statins would be interesting.

@live4avocados616 10 ай бұрын

He said he ate “a lot of eggs & yogurt”. His LDL has dropped 30 points since he started eating WFPE.

@lovetolearn881 3 ай бұрын

@@live4avocados616 Was that without the statin?

@bretthenley7541 10 ай бұрын

Thank you Mike, Rip and Essy. Keep it PLANTSTRONG! 🥦🥬🍎🥕

@Cyd1057 8 ай бұрын

Phenomenal conversation! Mike, thanks for telling us your harrowing story. Your courage is remarkable. I’m so glad you are alive to tell it! Rip & Dr. E., thanks for ALL you do for so many. Speaking the truth so that we all can act on it has great power to affect lives. What treasures you are!

@PegHaustArliss 11 ай бұрын

I am sharing this video, powerful stuff. Thank you!

@plantpoweredcertifiednutri6740 9 ай бұрын

Powerful message here!🌱🥗🌱🥬

@suesbent 11 ай бұрын

A gripping account. Thank you and I wish you well.

@justeatplantsnike 11 ай бұрын

Just whaoooo... ,So happy for you Mike. Thank God for you and your family.

@davidweden1413 Ай бұрын

This is an amazing story. I just got my CAC scores back, which came in at 1,096. I have been eating well and run 4 miles every day, with no symptoms. After I got my score, I took a stress test which I passed with flying colors. I'm being scheduled for a CT angiogram to determine if I have any blockages. In the past two weeks I've been binging on Dr. Esselstyn's videos and his book, and have completely changed my diet to conform with his recommendations. Seeing this makes me wonder what I would do if a stent or other invasive treatment is recommended......

@Lady_Clare4 10 ай бұрын

Wow! I’m so glad he pulled through. Thanks for the information.

@teamt8088 11 ай бұрын

Great interview, glad Mike found the wfpb lifestyle, my husband was born with a congenital heart condition, has an aortic valve replacement, cardiac arrest, afib, icd. We eat this way for many reasons (my health initially) one of which is that we dont want to add to his condition by needing a stent or bypass. I hope Mike continues to do well.

@stephenkavalin4939 3 ай бұрын

Outstanding podcast. Great Information ... Amazing Journey

@sharonhall1909 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for this important conversation. Wishing all 3 of you many blessings.

@kathyballard8589 11 ай бұрын

Great interview

@foleyjp1 11 ай бұрын

Amazing story!! I have just re-committed to center my diet around complete WFOB - (I do cheat a bit now) I am going to the farmer's market and grocery store and will adjust my list before I go to get more green leafy veggies

@lindaripp5902 11 ай бұрын

Thanks

@carlaweems72 11 ай бұрын

Mr. Melloh's story was truly informative. I'm so happy he's doing better, I hope, after ALL THAT--- that he truly does (like he stated in the podcast) stick to his new eating lifestyle. Wish I was attending the Arizona retreat (or gathering), I would love to have met Mike and his wife. Hope everyone has an amazing time and everyone makes new like-minded friends. 🙂

@oceanbreezesuburbanfarm 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your story. Very impactful.

@lisamarie9918 10 ай бұрын

SO motivating. Thank you for sharing. 💪🏽🥗

@leonieduplessis4467 10 ай бұрын

Dr Esselstyn you such a great doctor, fantastic to remind people of the PLANTBASED EATING😊

@goguten 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Mike. A story to remember. Most important takeaway for me is not neccessarily a plant based diet, rather the medical professions overeagerness for dangerous interventions. As far as I could understand Mike became health conscious and changed his lifestyle at 46, 10 years before this harrowing surgery. At that point he became a pescatarian. So he probably ate lots of fish and vegetables. And he says he also ate lots of eggs, lots of yogurt. No cheese and no milk. He eliminated all meat - chicken, pork. Also got rid of carbs like pasta, grains etc. On this regimen he lost weight and felt good. He was doing strength training 4 days a week. And cardio also two more days. So working out 6 days a week and prioritizing it. So lots of energy, apparently. A question is the wiseness of pescatarian diets in an age where seafood often is polluted with heavy metals and other contaminants. Also I would eat organic.

@Mimulus2717 11 ай бұрын

This quote from the author of the ISCHEMIA trial says it all: "“Taken together, the quality of life and clinical results suggest that there is NO need for invasive procedures in patients without symptoms,” said David Maron, M.D., director of the Stanford Prevention Research Center at Stanford University and the study’s lead author and principal investigator. “For those with angina, our results show it is just as safe to begin treating with medication and lifestyle change, and then if symptoms persist, discuss invasive treatment options.” Two other ISCHEMIA companion studies produced other key results. ISCHEMIA-Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and quality of life studies, also published in the New England Journal of Medicine, did not show a reduced risk for death and heart attack for participants who had advanced chronic kidney disease, stable coronary disease, as well as moderate or severe ischemia with the invasive treatment compared to the conservative treatment. There were no benefits in quality of life, even if participants had angina symptoms." Stay plant strong!

@ritamorelli3869 11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much I know about plant based but SUPPORT IS NEEDED 😮😅😢🎉😊

@natalieamore8195 10 ай бұрын

Shared

@carlo6912 11 ай бұрын

He could have avoided all this had he simply gone on a WFPBD instead of going to that clinic.

@daricefrost664 6 ай бұрын

After hearing this about the stints, I'm curious after eating properly and rebuilding things, can the stints be removed? Instead of putting one inside of another?

@returntoyehovahthelord6185 11 ай бұрын

When I read the description and heard Mike had a harrowing experience, I thought “yeah sure”. How bad could it have been. Then I listened. Holy Toledo! He was awake while a grown man was on too of him giving chest compressions for 2 1/2 hours! Okay. He wins. That’s a tough guy. My chest hurts just thinking about it. (Don’t worry Dr. Esselstyn. I think it’s just sympathy pain. 😮😁😬

@janicecarter7487 10 ай бұрын

He was unconscious when they gave him chest compressions. They were putting intense pressure on where the catheter when in to stop the bleeding. He was awake and in pain when they were continually applying pressure for several hours to the insertion site.

@returntoyehovahthelord6185 10 ай бұрын

@@janicecarter7487 - Oh wow. Okay. Thank God. I misunderstood that. Either way it was a harrowing experience. Thank you.

@user-rb8qv2mw1z 11 ай бұрын

When will your food been available in Australia

@spreadingwellness 4 ай бұрын

My question is, if you get on the esselstyn program and eat really well and your arteries are healthy why can't they go in and just take that stint out and sew everything back up? Is that possible?

@trishmarck7798 10 ай бұрын

Can stents be removed??

@rsalehi6568 9 ай бұрын

80% blockage with no symptom! People live with much greater occlusion for many years. Dr Essylstein is right that the surgeons need to disclose the operation risk, and the availability of low tech alternative by altering diet to treat these conditions that are scientifically now well established. But since the scalpel is needed to bill the insurance company, the more sensible approaches fall by the way side.

@thekingschildsx 11 ай бұрын

I have just been diagnosed with severe aorta stenosis (told I have a sticky heart murmur). I have been told that diet/lifestyle change cannot help with a murmur and need a heart cath. What is your opinion as to whether a WFPB diet can help with this condition?

@charlesdeshler202 11 ай бұрын

I would definitely contact Rip , his father, or Dr. Fuhrman.....ASAP!!!

@thekingschildsx 11 ай бұрын

@@charlesdeshler202 how do I contact the.?

@StanDupp6371 11 ай бұрын

@@charlesdeshler202 None of those 3 are cardiologists, you need to contact a licensed cardiologist with at least 10 years face to face experience and if you hire an electrician make sure they are also licensed.

@katiemaguire9073 10 ай бұрын

Where does a person go to heal who is not well and not wealthy?

@maureenwhite5632 11 ай бұрын

Can someone answer this question that has been plaguing me for a while. There is a well-known cardiologist that wrote "Wheat Belly". In fact, I know someone that was a patient of his. What are the long-term effects of those that follow that WOE? It is so confusing to see doctors with certain specialties be miles apart in treating heart disease. Also, is this WOE beneficial to those that have heart valve issues?

@dinamariea61 11 ай бұрын

WOE stands for what?

@charlesdeshler202 11 ай бұрын

@@dinamariea61Way of Eating

@plantbasedethos5726 10 ай бұрын

I have tried cutting out all the scources of fat, after a few weeks i do notice my cognitive functions and memory begins to get affected. How can one counteract or mitigate these symptoms of overall fatigue ?

@truthseek3017 5 ай бұрын

Did cutting out the fat help your brain?

@user-zh9sq2zk3v 10 ай бұрын

Dr. Esselstyn, are kale/collard green chips an acceptable way to eat greens 6 times a day? A lot of chewing, but are the nutrients still there?

@Jeffs60 10 ай бұрын

You might wear out your TMJ prematurely and what type of doctor will fix that? They forgot to tell you that. You want to consume the most nutrient dense foods with the least amount of chewing.

@annemccarron2281 10 ай бұрын

Only if you make them. Don't eat processed foods. Likely the ones you buy have canola oil in them and lots of salt.

@shelleyclarke9325 11 ай бұрын

Shouldn’t Mike be eating greens 6 times a day?

@user-nn1uy1sv8k 10 ай бұрын

My boss had a second heart attack and had another stent put in. He has type 2 diabetes, so his solution to his problem was to double down on the meat and eggs and butter in his diet. He knows I eat a vegan diet, but he thinks I am crazy. I want to tell him he may be preventing insulin spikes with his heavy meat and fat diet, but what about all that saturated fat he's consuming. He won't listen. He's another heart attack waiting to happen.