| Testimonial
I've been overweight all of my life. After two spinal fusions (in 2/00 and 8/00),
I was still unable to get around very well, and suffered from a lot of pain. By
August 2004, I was almost unable to walk. I was miserable! At a consult with the
Spine Center at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, it was recommended that I have
weight loss surgery (WLS). The surgeon there felt that any spinal surgery would
not be successful until I had lost about 100 lbs. I
spent a year researching WL surgeons, and chose Dr. Husted, hands down. I spent
even more time wrangling with my insurance company, which never did agree to pay
for the surgery. I had a duodenal switch with biliopancreatic diversion in August
2004. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself and my family. Not the
easiest thing, by any means, but I would do it again in a second. I know WLS isn't
for everyone, and I recommend that each person considering it research, research,
and research again before deciding on WLS, but for me, it saved my life. I
can walk again! I am active again, and will not need any more back surgery (My
insurance company wouldn't pay for my WLS, but I have saved the insurance company
about $200,000 on the series of 3 spinal surgeries I was going to have to have,
prior to WLS, and now will not have to have! Go figure!) I rarely even need medication
for back pain, when prior to the WLS I was having to take significant medication
just to be able to work and function somewhat normally. I
cannot imagine my life without WLS. Sometimes, I can't believe how my life has
changed after WLS! I still overestimate the size of clothes I need to buy when
I am shopping(I went from size 22/24 to 8/10), and I even admit to a *bit* of
a clothing and shoe obsession these days! I'd like to lose about 10 more lbs.
to reach my ideal weight, and I'm working out at the gym regularly to help me
to get there. I also will choose to have a tummy tuck sometime later in 2005 because
of the loose skin. I can't believe how much better I feel physically, and I am
amazed at how feeling so much better physically has helped me to feel better emotionally,
as well. Thanks,
Dr. Husted and staff!
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