Pam Hart
My story actually begins back in preschool. At that time, my mother brought to the attention of my pediatrician that I would eat four plumbs in a sitting, along with other stories of over eating. He had two responses. The first one was that I was eating healthy foods, so don't worry about it. When she pressed him on it his other answer was "well, only give her one" Unfortunately during that time there wasn't a big emphasis on obesity, espeically in children. It was still just "baby fat" according to everyone. During gradeschool there was a short period of time where I played soccer and therefore stayed fairly fit. I didn't like sports though (When in the position of goalie, I ducked to avoid the ball. Get the idea?) so that soon stopped. My weight went steadily up from there. From the time I was in 7th grade I heard how "mature" I looked. I thought that was a compliment. Hind site 20/20 I realize I looked mature because I was already 5'" and weighed the same as an "adult" I was also shopping in the women's department when all my friends were shopping in the teens department. I started yo yo dieting and exercising. My mom had work out videos which I used (Jane Fonda step aerobics) Each time I would lose and then regain. In high school I discovered diet pills. I used every kind you could imagine. At one point Iost about 50 pounds, looked good, felt crappy. I was shaky from the caffeine and other stimulants, but kept up because they made me look good. All through highschool I gained and lost, more gain than lost. Shopping for prom dresses was, well, horrible. I cried and cried and cried. My senior prom dress came from a wedding store because that's all that would fit me. After highschool I got a strenuous job, so I dropped some weight. That job ended, and so did the weight loss. I had already met "the man of my dreams" My next crash diet, Atkins, was for the wedding. I bought my dress a year prior and then didn't fit into it. With the help of Atkins and some fancy seamstressing, the dress fit. I probably wouldn't have fit in it after the "all inclusive" honeymoon. I had been researching WLS for quite some time, but didn't think it would work, was scared of the complications, and didn't think I would qualify. Finally I did some serious on line research. A few co workers had the procedure done. 3 had great results, one did not follow the program and began regaining before even getting within 100 pounds of goal. I contacted Barix in December 2006. January of 2007 I had my consult. Consult to surgery was a very long time as during the summer I lost a lot of focus, was unsure of my decision, and therefore didn't contact them nor return phone calls. There were so many personal and professional issues, I let myself go. Finally in the fall I got my date - after a minor set back it was Oct. 30. Many people did not agree with my decision, but I did. And so then was my new birthday!
