Andrew T.
Where to begin..well I will reveal my earliest memories of my childhood and dealing with my weight. I can remember being eight years old and being on a diet. My whole life has revolved around that single word, "diet." My weight put a hold on many aspects of my early life - kids at school picked on me horribly until about eighth grade. Up until that point, I did not understand what a friend really was. Being picked on constantly is something no child should ever endure, no matter what. I suppose I can say I broke out of my shell in eighth grade, which really encouraged me and actually saved me from all of the hiding out I was doing my whole life. I became quite popular and it has continued until this day. I continued to battle my wieght, even with the acceptance of my peers. The lowest weight I can remember being in high school was 280 pounds - that was after my third try at Weight Watchers. High school was pretty normal for me and the idea of surgery never entered my mind until about a year after high school. I feel that my wieght has restricted me the most at this stage in my life. It has kept me from being myself - I have lost a lot of confidence in the past year or so. Even though I am making a life for myself, which many people don't find important these days, I still feel at the lowest of my lows. I know this surgery isn't a cure all but I want to have a life without any restrictions. I want to go to Cedar Point or Kalahari with my friends without feeling uncomfortable. I want to be able to take ANY class in college and not have to scope the room out before the semester starts to make sure I can fit in the desks. I want to feel comfortable enough with myself to share a relationship with someone else. Acheiving these goals are important to me and my future. I began looking for surgery in March 2010, turned down by St. Vincent Charity Hospital in May 2010 - they said I was too young and not capable of handeling the surgery. I began visits at the Cleveland Clinic in June 2010 and am waiting to finish up my six-month insurance requirement which will be over in November! I'm looking to have surgery suring winter break from college. I wish everyone who has read this the best of luck in whatever ventures they have taken to help themselves become healthier and hope to gain friends and support from this website(:
