DELLA'S STORY

Della’s Weigh Station weight-loss story:

December 8th, 2009. There I was, almost 54 yrs old, weighing 509.6 pounds and barely able to walk, nervously waiting to meet the Doctor. For years, my entire family had been concerned about my how high my weight had gotten, but at that point I was totally overwhelmed and defeated; unable to do anything to help myself or even try to lose weight again on my own.  One of my son’s co-workers had lost 220 pounds since January, and told him about the medically-supervised weight-loss center, called The Weigh Station . Desperate for me to regain my health, he offered to pay for the entire program, if I would at least try it!  Knowing very little about the program, I agreed to make an appointment and he had come with me to check it out.  I was miserable, hopeless and broken, both physically and emotionally, from the tremendous weight I was carrying on my 5’6” frame! Having completed the paperwork, labs and the nurse’s review of the program guidelines, I looked up as Dr. Shaffer came into the room.

 Having experienced the unspoken rejection and judgment of others, I fully expected to see that same uncomfortable look of dread in his eyes, as he met me for the first time and saw how huge I was.  On the contrary, Dr. Chuck Shaffer came in smiling with the enthusiasm, positive energy, determination and drive of both a football coach and cheerleader, all wrapped up in one! He boldly declared that I wasn’t his heaviest patient, and that he could “MELT ME” just like many others who had come before me!  I listened in disbelief as he talked to me as if he knew exactly how I felt, what needed to be done in order to save my life, and exactly how to make it happen! He never seemed to have a shred of doubt! He practically oozed love and compassion!  It was his belief that God had provided that both he and my son be there, “for such a time as this,” in order to save my life.  As Christians, we agreed that it was God who would enable me to stay on the weight-loss plan, and he also assured me that he and his staff pray for all their patients on a regular basis. As we talked, He asked what I wanted to weigh, in my ‘heart-of-hearts,’ and cautioned me not to say something silly, like 300 lbs! What did I REALLY want to weigh?  I shared with him my lowest pre-pregnancy weight from 27 years ago, and the even lower weight that I had always wished I could be; a dream I had given up on many years ago.  To my shock, he proceeded to set that lowest ‘dream-weight’ as my long-term goal!  He confidently stated again, that he could “MELT ME” down to an ideal weight!  I just shook my head in disbelief, and laughingly said, "Yeah, right!"   His attitude was amazing! I couldn’t even imagine losing 100lbs, and there he was, planning on helping me to lose over 350 pounds as if we were planning a walk in the park! No way did I believe it could happen to me!  Fortunately, my doubt was matched by Dr. Shaffer’s confidence that he had the answer I was looking for.  He knew my life would soon be different!  It was his charismatic confidence in the program and in my success, which planted that first seed of hope in my heart. He was soon to become my biggest cheerleader!

How did I, a reasonably intelligent, educated woman, ever get to be super-morbidly-obese?  By dieting! During the past 30 years, I had lost 100 pounds or more, on at least three separate occasions, only to get sidetracked by the stress of life or an unexpected event.  Repeatedly, I was unable to start losing weight again. Defeated, I inevitably returned to the same foods that my body craved and my eating habits of the past.  The results of this behavior were always the same. By the time I had mustered up the courage to try again, I would have regained all the weight I had lost and more! Between 1984 and 1993, I had five children, and was never successful at controlling my weight during pregnancy. Following each birth, I would diet again, and the cycle of losing and gaining would repeat itself.  No matter how many diets I tried, with varying degrees of success, I never learned why food, or should I say, “certain foods” had such a hold on me; nor did I ever really understand why I couldn’t eat what everyone else was eating, without gaining weight.

Although I was still skeptical that Dr. Shaffer could really “melt me” as he claimed, I committed to giving it a try. From day one, I focused on the plan 100%. I was careful not to stray the least little bit from the food-lists and portion guidelines, just to see what would happen! Just like he had said, the pounds started melting away; week after week the scales at The Weigh Station reported amazing results! Having begun on December 8th, my first month on the diet included Christmas and New Year’s!  With total disregard for the holidays, I followed the eating-plan, took my medicines and supplements exactly as prescribed and went back to weigh each week. At the end of 4 weeks I had lost 32lbs! Still not convinced, but somewhat encouraged, I continued to weigh-in each week, stick to the eating guidelines, and after only six months my weekly losses had added up to 110lbs! As I continued to eat correctly, and follow all that Dr. Shaffer and Dr. Dums told me to do, the losses continued through the summer and the 2010 Holidays, for a current total loss of 170lbs! So, whether I believed him or not, it has become evident that Dr. Shaffer knew what he was talking about!  

Sometimes people ask me if I have exercised a lot, and my answer has to be “no, I haven’t.”  Although there are several excellent exercise classes offered at the Weigh Station, at 509 lbs, just getting out of bed, getting dressed and making the trip to the office was a major accomplishment. At home, I would try to do some simple arm and leg exercises while sitting in a chair or lying down. Naturally, the more weight I lose, the more active I am becoming. My most meaningful physical achievement, to date, is being able to climb the flight of stairs in my own home!

Our dietitian, Tricia Foley, prepares “Weigh Station friendly” recipes and shares important tips for continued healthy eating.

Is being on the Weigh Station weight-loss plan always easy? Of course not! However, realizing now, that “quitting” is the only thing that can keep me from reaching my goal, I am pressing on! The support offered by the Weigh Station community helps me to be accountable for my actions and to stay faithful to the weight-loss program that has brought me this far.   There is a support group for those who are in Phase I and II of the program and also a separate group for those who are on their maintenance program.  Recently, an online support group has been formed, where members can ask questions, share ideas, and celebrate their weight-loss experiences on a daily basis. In addition to the peer support, I continue to be impressed by the positive spirit and affirmation that the Weigh Station staff offers each client, regardless of their level of need.

Even after losing 185 pounds, it is clear that my weight-loss journey has only just begun. I continue to gain confidence, knowing that I am not alone. Dr. Shaffer and all of the Weigh Station staff are available to help me face the challenges and adjustments that losing 350lbs will bring into my life.  My plan for the future is to continue my appointments at The Weigh Station, “stick to the list,” and rely on The Lord’s power to overcome any obstacles along the way.  After two years of watching my weight go down and the pounds “MELT” away, I now gladly give Dr. Shaffer permission to say, “I  told you so!”