Dr. Robbie's Personal Story:

Why I chose to have Lap-Band Surgery

(and how you could benefit from my experience)

Let me introduce myself: I am Roberta ''Robbie'' Maller Hartman; bariatric life coach, psychologist, musician, mom

of 2 kids and 3 dogs, and lifelong emotional eater. I struggled with my weight for most of my adult life; yo-yoing

up and down with the diet-binge cycle for years. I probably gained and lost close to 1000 pounds throughout the

course of my life.

After my second child was born, my weight slowly crept up and I eventually found myself 110 pounds overweight

with body mass index (BMI) of 41. I spent 2 years overcoming my emotional and stress-related overeating and

was still at the same weight. After all of my efforts, the merry-go-round stopped and I was morbidly obese.

I was getting scared that I was going to die. I had difficulty exercising due to severe knee pain, foot pain and back

pain, all from the stress of excess weight. My blood pressure was high enough to require medication, and poorly

controlled at that. I had dangerously high cholesterol and difficulty breathing due to asthma. My dad had died at a

very young age due to obesity-related heart and vascular disease. I realized I could easily end up in an early grave

if I didn't do something drastic. I wanted to see my kids grow up. I wanted to have a long and healthy life with my

family and loved ones.

I looked into gastric bypass but decided that I wasn't willing to take the high risks associated with it. I did more

research. I learned about the Lap-Band: a safer, less invasive, adjustable and removable alternative to gastric

bypass.

Next, I researched top surgeons in the field and found one of the most experienced Lap-Band surgeons in the

country. Within two weeks of calling for a consultation I had my Lap-Band surgery in November of 2003, the week

before Thanksgiving. My surgery went smoothly and I went home the same day.

• Within a week, I began walking and now walk several miles, several times weekly.

• One year later I was down 80 pounds.

• The second year I lost the rest of my excess weight and began to maintain my new slimmer size.

• I stopped shopping the Silhouettes Catalog and starting buying clothes off the regular size racks in local stores.

• I went from a size 22 to a size 6!

• I felt and still feel about 15 years younger.

• I look like a different person.

• I am off my asthma and blood pressure medications.

• My blood pressure and cholesterol are normal.

• And, I can run up a flight of stairs without getting short of breath.

I think the Lap-Band saved my life!

I believe in this program so strongly, that I have become a full-time bariatric life coach, helping and supporting

other gastric band patients and those who are considering gastric band surgery. Since a gastric band is in effect a

tool to aid in your weight loss, I have found that people who work with a coach do much better with the band.

As your coach, I work with you to do whatever it takes to help you succeed in achieving your goals. This could

include but is not limited to overcoming emotional eating, managing stress, meditation training, coping with body

changes and family issues.

I look forward to working with you and making a real difference in your life.

For a complimentary, 30 minute coaching session toward a happier, healthier you, contact me at: