Testimonial
I met my miracle team last summer after attending a seminar in July. I was a patient in another hospital where I was in congestive heart failure. In October 2001, I started having problems with congestive heart failure. Being a nurse, I knew I was in trouble. That is when I visited a bariatric surgeon. He told me I was the largest woman he had ever seen. I left in tears. When another doctor joined their group I tried to get in to see him. He was going through all of the insurance red tape and my insurance did not take him. At that time I was devastated. Then I got very sick and was hospitalized with congestive heart failure. I was very anemic and had to have two units of blood and my kidneys weren't working well. I developed a blood clot and from November to the end of January I was hospitalized. It was not until June that I called and asked for this surgeon, I was told he did not practice in Tennessee. I was shaking but feeling very blessed. I could have been butchered or died if I had been allowed to have the procedure then.

This is when I met Dr. Husted and Jamie. I was able to meet with Dr. Husted right after the seminar. I remember asking him if I was the largest woman he had ever seen and he told me no. He told me my options and answered every question my mom, daughter, husband and I had. He did not rush us and made us feel very comfortable. He told me with my history I would be seen by a group of different doctors to get me ready for the big switch. My date was set for Friday September 13, but on August 16 I had to be hospitalized again for congestive heart failure. This had happened in June, July and now again in August. I was put on Dopamine and Lasix IV, after a week I lost over 40 pounds of fluid. I was taken down for a chest x-ray. I fainted crushing my right foot and also breaking bones in my left foot. I asked to be transferred to Baptist Hospital. I had surgery on my right foot. Then I was transferred to Select Specialty Hospital which is located in Baptist Hospital. Dr. Husted and Dr. Anderson kept up with me. You could say I got pretty depressed. I spent two months there. I knew I could not wait until summer to have my gastric procedure. I worked daily with a physical therapist. I was so scared it would never happen and that I was going to die. That something would always stand in my way. I had to put it all in God's hands. I knew He would only give me what I could handle. My miracle team was always only a phone call away, always answering all of my questions and concerns. Finally after a positive visit with my orthopedic surgeon in late November, I was told to have my switch.

Dr. Anderson was able to make my dream come true and gave me a new lease on life December 3, 2002. With the help of the entire team, they communicate with my primary doctor on a regular basis.

I am off of 31 medications that my previous primary doctor had me on. As of February 13, 2003 I am down 98 pounds. I am swimming and feeling stronger every day. Like I said I have a miracle team. Thank you for giving me life again.

UPDATE 10/3/03 - 360 pounds BMI 58.9
I am walking, out of my wheelchair (unless very long distances), and hardly ever using the walker. Hard to believe, my feet continue to hurt all the time. That old saying is true-NO PAIN NO GAIN!
I walked down the isle at my daughters wedding, this was also my 29th wedding anniversary I am so blessed..