Testimonial
Thank you, Dr. Husted, from the bottom of my heart!!!
I have been FAT all my life. I have been on every diet, tried every diet pill, every fad…you name it I did it. I would always lose for a while, several times I even lost 100 pounds, but just as soon as I started eating "normal" again, I would gain what I had lost plus more back each time. I was so frustrated with myself. I had "dieted" my way all the way up to 495 pounds!! Why could I not conquer this one thing in my life? I was a success in every other area of my life, why could I not be successful with losing the weight? I prayed to God for years and years to help me, to show me what I needed to do. It seemed there was just no solution for me. I had started a weight loss program at the hospital where I work and lost over 100 pounds (again!!) but the pounds were beginning to creep back on. I knew I was back on that rollercoaster of lose/gain/lose/gain.

Then, in God's perfect timing, He led me down the path that led to Dr. John Husted and the surgery that was going to change my life!! I had to fight to get my insurance to pay for the surgery, but they finally agreed, realizing the life-changing benefits it was going to have on my life. I had the Duodenal Switch on April 9, 2002 and have had no problems whatsoever as a result of the surgery. I have never been nauseated or sick. I am so blessed!! I weighed 378 pounds on the day of my surgery. Eight months later, I have lost 130 pounds and continue to lose.

I have just returned from a trip to New York City - and have done things I never would have even dreamed of before. First, the seat belt fit!!!! No extensions for this ole girl!! I just sat there with the biggest ole smile on my face - made everyone wonder what I was up to - ha ha!! I walked all over NY!! My legs got sore (muscle soreness) a few times - but I was never too tired, or out of breath, or wanting to sit down. What a difference that was! Last year I would not have even thought about going, this year, it's "where else can I go now??" I didn't even mind having my picture made. I am so blessed.

So, thank you again, Dr. Husted. You saved my life - and extended my years with my children and grandchildren. (and did the same for my daughter, too - talk about a double blessing!!)

I am so glad to thank God for leading me down this path, and to Dr. Husted and his staff for their caring and skill. I am a new woman. I am so happy. God is good. Dr. Husted is a Godsend!!!

UPDATE - April, 2006 - 4 year update
Can it really be? Four years ago, on April 9, I had DS surgery and am now a living testimony to what God can do to a "fat woman" - one with no hope, with no energy, no life at all it seemed.

Yes, I've made it 4 years - truly four of the best years of my life. My years with my children and husband were so special - but as I kept getting fatter and fatter I was doing less and less - in fact I spent most of my time in the bed - except when I dragged myself out to work, then right back home, eat, eat, eat - and head for the bed. What does that say about my quality of life??

God has blessed me in so many ways. I can eat anything I want and not gain weight nor feel guilty that I'm eating (no, anything does not mean ALL the sweets and carbs in this world, but I do eat what I really want when I want it). I have so much energy, just so much joy in every day that I am allowed to live. Not only have I experienced this miracle in my life, but my daughter and sister have had the DS too - so we all celebrate with each other on the marvelous new life. Who knew that clothes shopping would be fun - that you could buy something off the rack at a nice store - or even at Wal-Mart, where before we had to go to the FAT stores and pay a double price for everything. I have also been blessed with so many new friends who are DSers - we all share a common bond - friends who would have never crossed my path except for the DS.

All I can think of now is where can I go next and what can I do? So much energy, so much life to live. I thank God for every single minute He's given me - and ALL the ones that lie ahead. If it ended today, I can say I was blessed - and so happy.

Four years, no problems. Beginning weight - 495 Weight today - 195. Yep - 300 pounds gone forever!!!! Love it, love it, love it!!

Bottom line: This surgery will change your life!! Do all your research, prepare yourself - then when you know it is the right thing for you to do, don't let anything stand in your way of having it done. Fight for insurance to cover it - if that is an option, but if it ends up that you have to pay for it yourself, do whatever you have to in order to make it happen. Knowing what I know right now, I would mortgage my house, sell my car, even raffle off my kids - ha! - whatever I had to do to get the money to do it - it makes that much difference. No one (except a post op DSer) can tell you how really wonderful it is, you just have to take the leap on faith. Don't let insurance, don't let anything going on in the surgeon's office, don't let anyone who isn't in your shoes change your mind or talk you out of this. IT IS SO WORTH IT!! JUST DO IT!! You'll never regret it - you'll only
regret all the days you wasted before you had it done.