Testimonial
It's basically the same story here with all the diets, exercise, co-morbs...lose 20, gain 40 back; looking like I was caught in a rain storm after 10 minutes of exercise; and having to live on pain pills, insulin, c-pap machine, and God knows what else to even feel anywhere near human.

Dr Anderson was my surgeon but retired before I got approved, so I was switched to Dr Husted. I first met Dr Husted at a seminar in which I made my father go with me because he was so against me having surgery. After listening to Dr Husted, my Dad did a complete turn around! He even considered having surgery too! After fighting with the insurance for a while I finally got approved. After so long though, I actually didn't believe it was really happening until they started wheeling me toward the OR.

Dr Husted is fabulous! He's warm, caring, great bedside manner, comical...the list could go on and on!!

I have to say all the nurses and everyone who took care of me while I was in the hospital was fantastic! I will never forget Jack (radiology), and the male nurse (I never got his name) I had in recovery. Jack was so hilarious I would have drunk that barium stuff just to stay down there all day with him! And my recovery nurse was such a sweetheart, though I was fighting him tooth and nail to take the tube out of my throat. In all, and to say this about a MAJOR surgery and being in the hospital...I had a great time! About 3 weeks out, my potassium dropped to around 1.2. I went back in the hospital and I received IV of 6 bags of potassium and 4 bags of vitamins. In April 2006 I had to be opened back up. Apparently scar tissue was wrapping itself around my intestines causing excruciating pain, feeling like it was squeezing the breath out of me.

Since surgery, I have lost 189 pounds, going from size 30-32 to a size 10 (size 8 in some clothes!!) Even my fingers and feet have gone down!! I've completely turned my life around. I moved to South Carolina, went back to school for an AAS in Medical Assisting (graduate in December)!!

Again, I have to thank Dr Husted, Dr Spaw, and Dr Anderson, Ellen, Jamie, Wanda, and everyone else who worked with me and helped me change my life! You all are my angels!

I also wish Dr Husted the best of luck in San Francisco!

2 year update March 25, 2007: It's been two years today since my VGB. So much has happened since surgery...losing a total of 189 pounds (205 from the day I met Dr Anderson), moving to Greenville (now getting ready to move to Florence SC), going back to school and getting an AAS degree (with honors!!!). I very seriously doubt any of this would have happened if I hadn't met Dr. Anderson and Dr. Husted.

I haven't gained nor lost any more weight...fluctuating about 5 pounds. I still have issues with eating in the morning and eating meat. With working 10 hours a day, I stick to salad or soup during the week. As for my protein, I try to eat a lot of fish and chicken. As for my sweet tooth...I treat it with a bite of low-sugar yogurt and granola. Yes, I do still have cravings for a good ol' Big Mac and Dr. Pepper, but absolutely refuse to give in! That's what made me go see Dr. Anderson in the first place!

I thank God everyday for people like Dr. Anderson and Dr. Husted, working to give people like us our life back, or giving us a life!