Richard's Story

Being overweight was considered a family curse.

Not being able to keep up with my young children was hard enough to accept, much less having the will to do something about it.

Reality set in when I was at an amusement park in Florida and got on a roller-coaster – I was told to get back off the ride because I was too overweight to fasten the restraint.

Shortly after this, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. A couple of years after that diagnosis, I had a regular visit with my family doctor. He came into the office with disappointment on his face at the results of my recent lab work.

He put things in perspective for me: If my labs continued along this way and I did not get my diabetes under control, he would give me seven more years to live.

Shortly after that visit with my family doctor, I was referred to Dr. Peterson. After speaking with him, I was still a skeptic — being sick for so long, how could weight loss surgery change my life?

Fifteen months after my procedure I have lost 69 pounds and have regained my life. I have a new lease on life. I feel stronger than ever — I have so much energy that I don't know what to do with it, thanks to Dr. Peterson and his staff for their efforts.

I would do this again without a doubt. I am a believer.