1. Page 14 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Pine Belt ­— February 2015
feature story
W
e have all tried to lose weight at one time
or another, but life hands us so many other
things to do that the gym and a good diet are
often the last thing on our minds. We start with good
intentions, but the follow-through always gets the best
of us. You know the drill. First, there
is the planning (I’ll start tomorrow!),
then the gym membership, then the
hunger… oh, the hunger! The spiral of
disappointment all too quickly follows.
It seems that no matter what we do to
lose weight, circumstances make us
feel like it’s hopeless, and we eventually
give up.
Pam Hattaway finally found the end
to this spiral four years ago. Pam also en-
dured the struggles associated with the
attempts to lose a great deal of weight,
trying all of the programs and skinny pills
advertised on television. She joined a gym,
hired a personal trainer, and made a little
progress; all to gain it back in the end. She
suffered the mental anguish associated with
feeling “fat” and unhealthy; going through the
aisles of clothing racks with the desire to try
on the cute clothes but resorting to the real-
ity of plus sizes. The battle with her weight
followed her for years, and after all things failed, she
made the decision to lead a healthier life by undergoing
weight-loss surgery at Wesley Medical Center.
“My motivation for weight loss was the constant ups
and downs, the life-long battle with my weight; that, and
my kids,” said Hattaway. “I wanted to be healthy for
Weight
Loss Surgery
Learn Why Pam
Finally Feels Free
By Katherine Parker
Pam Hattaway feels “finally free” after weight-loss surgery at
Wesley Medical Center helped her lose 127 pounds.

2. February 2015 — Pine Belt ­— Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 15
them and be there for them when they graduate; when they have their
joys and successes in life. I knew that I could not do that if I continued
on the path that I was travelling.”
Hattaway heard about Wesley’s bariatric surgery program and
began researching the options and talking to people about the gastric
banding procedure. She finally made the decision to begin the process
and find out if she was a candidate for surgery.
“There were many emotional turns throughout this process. I was
scared about many things; mostly that I would not meet the criteria for
the surgery. Upon meeting with Dr. Girod, all of my questions were an-
swered and my fears were replaced with excitement at the opportunity
that I was going to have a chance to begin a new life.”
Hattaway had the surgery in September of 2010, and she was
thrilled that the weight began falling off as planned as she ate within
her diet guidelines. However, she reached a point in which she had to
choose to continue on her journey.
“After a while I reached a plateau that seemed to last forever,” she
said. “Dr. Girod helped me realize that I wasn’t burning calories, and
to do so and continue losing weight, I would need to start an exercise
program.”
Attending to the unique needs of patients, Wesley’s bariatric sur-
geons encourage their patients long after the surgery has been per-
formed to help ensure each person’s success.
“Pam was the typical patient in the beginning,” said Dr. Wesley
Girod, director of Wesley’s Bariatric Program. “She did really well for
the first few months, but she fought the band that helped her control
her eating. It took her six months to adjust until she finally decided to
either exercise, or give up and have the band removed. She made the
decision to stick with the diet and started exercising. That’s when she
really began to see results and lost weight even more quickly, simply
because of her dedication.”
With the surgery providing a firm foundation, dedication and exer-
cise helped Hattaway achieve further success. Attending Wesley’s In-
Hattaway, before receiving gastric banding
weight-loss surgery at Wesley Medical Center.
Hattaway (left) is committed to staying active and is
now able to participate in running events.
Wesley’s bariatric weight-loss seminars are free, one-hour
sessions hosted by one of Wesley’s bariatric surgeons and
designed to help you make the right decision about your
next step in weight-loss. Topics covered include:
• Lifestyle changes
• Lifetime commitment for follow-up care
• Risks and benefits
• Support group
• Surgical options
Seminars are open to the public, but reservations are
required. To make reservations, please call 601-261-5767.
Bariatric Weight-Loss Seminars
February 12
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11
July 9
August 13
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10
2015 Seminar Dates

3. Page 16 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Pine Belt ­— February 2015
stitute for Wellness and Sports Medicine regularly,
she is able to keep the weight off and do things
that she never thought possible.
“Exercise is still the key to success,” she said.
“I still attend the gym three to four times per week
and walk a few times per week. In the last few
years, I have even done a few 5K runs and a mini-
triathlon. These are things I could not have ever
done before my surgery.”
Staying true to Wesley’s mission statement —
Loving God, Serving Others, Excelling in Health-
care — the team at Wesley was right by Hattaway’s
side every step of the way.
“On my weight-loss journey, I had tremendous
support from Dr. Girod. So many times he has
seen me and asked, ‘How many pounds now?’
Usually followed up with ‘great job’ or ‘keep it up.’
Those words really encouraged me.”
“We’re in the business of life-long change,” said
Girod. “We’re helping people change their habits,
and we will do all that we can to make this happen,
but it all begins with you making a commitment to
change your life for the better.”
Having reached her weight loss goals, and now
able to be the more energetic mom she wanted to
be, Hattaway is proud of her successes, and she is
happy to use her experience to encourage others.
“I have been asked many times if I would rec-
ommend this surgery to others, and my answer
is always ‘Yes!’ If you cannot seem to lose the
weight, and are tired of feeling the way you do,
inside and out, do your research, talk to the staff
at Wesley, attend one of their seminars, and make
the decision to change your life. It will be the best
thing you’ve ever done for yourself. I have lost 127
pounds and couldn’t be more pleased to be a part
of the success story at Wesley Medical Center.”
Wesley Medical Center’s bariatric weight loss
surgery program includes two surgical options. It
is designed to help those who struggle with their
weight improve their quality of life by using surgi-
cal intervention for weight reduction and promote
a lifestyle change for long-term health. Interested
candidates are encouraged to attend a free semi-
nar to find out if they qualify for surgery and to learn
about the process, benefits, and options available.
“For anyone seeking to have a weight-loss pro-
cedure performed, we recommend doing all of
your research,” said Girod. “Each procedure has
its own benefits and we will help patients determine
what’s right for them, so they can get started on a
healthier life path.”
For more information, or to find
out if you may be a candidate for
bariatric weight-loss surgery,
contact Wesley Medical Center’s
Bariatric Coordinator Leeann
Bookout at 601-261-5767 or visit
LoseWeightAtWesley.com.
feature story continued
Wesley Medical Center was founded more than 100 years ago on the
principles of its primary mission: Loving God, Serving Others, Excel-
ling in Healthcare. Wesley is consistently recognized for its commitment to
excellence in categories ranging from patient safety and cardiac care to
emergency room service. Building upon its commitment to providing supe-
rior cardiac care, Wesley became the first and only hospital in the Pine Belt
to earn Heart Failure Accreditation and Chest Pain Accreditation. Wesley
prides itself on its 45-minute or less ER Service Pledge which ensures that
a provider will work diligently see each patient within 45 minutes of their
arrival. With nearly 250 physicians on staff, Wesley offers state-of-the-art
technologies, dedicated employees and specialized services while always
striving toward its commitment to providing quality, compassionate, Chris-
tian care. Wesley’s specialized services include:
For more information, visit Wesley.com or call 601-268-8000.
• Bariatric Weight Loss Services
• Cardiac Care
• Women’s Health Services
• Primary Care
• Orthopedic Services
• The Joint Center at Wesley
• The Wesley Spine Center
• Behavioral Health Services
• Pediatrics
• Diabetic Education
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Emergency Department
• Home Health Services
• Institute for Wellness Sports
Medicine
• Laboratory Services
• Neurology Services
• Pulmonary and Respiratory Health
• Rehabilitation Services
• Robotic Surgery
• Sleep Center
• Surgical Services
• Transitional Care Unit
• Work Well Clinic
• Wound Care