Virginia M.
My story is much like most of the people in need of this type of surgery. I was a premature at birth 3lbs. 4oz., that was the last time I was small :). The doctors told my mother to "just keep feeding her" .... and she did.I knew I was larger than all the other kids but when my family relocated to a bigger city, new schools and all.... the kids brought that fact to my attention by making fun of me and so my first diet was started (8 years old).I was 4'11 and 130lbs. in the sixth grade and had to face the President's physical fitness challenge in front of my classmates (hated it). Seventh & Eighth grade I continued to increase in size and decrease in confidence. I was encouraged to go a WW meeting by my sister who paid for my first month of meetings. I was encouraged when I did start losing and I thought I had a handle on things. High school weight was up and down and I continued on that roller coaster up through my twenties and early thirties. At 37 I hit an all time high of 276 (as a friend pointed out "that’s football player material").... my body hurt. I went on an 8 month doctor monitored fast. I lost 140 lbs. and felt great. I exercised, ate right and even kept a food diary.At 40 years of age my life changed dramatically. My father died, I got married (for the first time), changed careers and moved to a different town. I think that's about as much as a normal (?) person can handle. I quit exercising, started fixing large meals, gaining weight and getting depressed. .... the black hole :)Well, at 46 I've recovered from that "black hole" adventure and am ready for new, healthier adventure. I'm currently at 257 lbs. .... not all the weight has come back :). I have a wonderful husband and a great extended family that loves me and wants to see me healthy. I'm blessed. Everyone is ready to stand beside me as I start this new chapter of my life.
