Testimonial
Where did it all begin? I turned 54 in August and have been overweight for at least the past 28 of those years. Danny (my husband) and I lost our youngest child at the age of 2 in 1976. He dealt with the loss in his way and I tried to eat myself to death. I ate myself up to a high of 275 pounds! Being only 5'2" tall, I looked like a beach ball! Over the years, I probably joined Weight Watchers at least a dozen times and did every other program you can imagine including Medifast, Nutri System, Phen-Fen, on and on and on. Like everyone else, I would lose a few pounds then gain back even more.

My work as a nurse has been increasingly more difficult every year due to my weight along with the health problems that have cropped up over the past few years--asthma, high blood pressure, severe sleep apnea, depression, etc. One of the nurses I work with told me about a wonderful surgeon she went to by the name of Dr. John Husted. She had a DS done in 2002 and became the poster child for the surgery on my unit!!! My first visit with this wonderful surgeon was July 2, 2003. He told me I was a good candidate for the surgery and the real work then began--the insurance company fight. My employer finally decided to cover the DS after completion of a wellness program called SUCCEED which included working with a personal trainer, working out 3 times a week and weekly attendance at a group session.After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, my date finally arrived--June 4, 2004!!! My surgery was uneventful and I was sent home after 3 days in the hospital. I have not had any pain and only a minimal amount of nausea. At my 2-week visit I had lost 19 pounds!!!

This has been such a life-changing experience for me. I finally see that there is hope. I thank God for this wonderful gift and for the amazing surgeon who has given me my life back. Thanksgiving this year will really be a day of giving thanks for me!

Update June, 2005 - I had my first anniversary on the 4th and my visit with CCFOS today. I am now OVERWEIGHT and no longer OBESE!!! What a thrilling thing to hear. My BMI today was 29. This has been the greatest experience of my life. I am down to 158 pounds (haven't been that low in over 30 years).

Update December, 2005 - My weight today was 149!!! That puts my BMI at 27!!! I am so excited. My labs are all ok, I feel wonderful and am close to my personal goal of 140 pounds (the goal set by Dr. H is 135 but at my age I will be satisfied not to be skinny). This surgery has been a real miracle for me and I will always be thankful for the skill of Dr. Husted and the support of everyone in his office as well as the "family" on line in the discussion group.