Testimonial
My story begins at the time of my birth, weighing 6lbs and 1/2oz and gaining up to 24 lbs. at my 3 month checkup. The doctor was so shocked at my weight gain that he asked my mother what in the world have you been feeding this baby?

And so began the life-long struggle of a gaining, losing, gaining, and losing cycle. I have spent all of my life dieting, losing and gaining hundreds of pounds and have been on every diet invented and even invented some on my own (what a disaster!)

I was researching the Cumberland Center for Obesity Surgery site on the web about 1 ¾ years ago and was following the patients who were pre-op and post-op.I was very impressed by the honest outpouring of feelings expressed by the patients
who were trying to deal with insurance issues and preparing for surgery. I attended a seminar and was able to meet some of the patients who had undergone a most dramatic transformation and decided to make the most important decision to have the DS surgery.

It has been so exciting to have found the most wonderful group of professionals at the Cumberland Center.I can't say enough about Dr. Husted and Dr. Anderson. Jennifer and Jamie are such caring, genuine, nurses who have been such a support for me!

When I found out Dr. Husted was doing the hand-assisted Lap DS, I knew that it was the procedure for me. On November 18, Dr. Husted, assisted by Dr. Rabkin from California and Dr. Spaw performed my DS.
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This is the beginning of the rest of my life! I plan on embracing life, meeting it head-on, holding my head high, and following my dreams.

"The key to happiness is dreams. The key to Success is making those dreams come true."
I have a Dream that I will not be embarrassed when the server attempts to seat me in a booth I can not fit in.
I have a Dream that people will know that I am not lazy and I do care about how I look.
I have a Dream that I will not see the look of pity on people's faces when I walk down the street or get out of my car.
I have a Dream that I will go hiking with my son, walk the streets indowntown Gatlinburg, and go shagging on the boulevard with my husband.
I have a Dream that I will be able to buy regular sized clothes in a Regular Dept Store and not extra, extra large in a Specialty Shoppe withextra super prices.
I have a Dream that I will be an acceptable size and not be discriminatedagainst because of my size.
I have a Dream that I will overcome the disease of Morbid Obesity and be an inspiration to encourage and provide support by being an advocate to help others with this burden.