NORTHSTAR NEWS

Patients Find Happiness, Health In Weight Loss Procedure

03/10/09

Steve Fourqurean, 36, who stands at 6’7”, remembers well being a “bean pole” when he graduated from high school – weighing less than 200 pounds at the time.

“But the pounds slowly crept up on me over the years, and before I knew it, I was maxing the scales at 380,” he said. Something, he said, had to be done. Not just for himself, but also for his family.

It was after a visit with weight-loss surgeon David Hall, M.D., that he knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel, and a lap-banding procedure would put him on the path to weight loss and better overall health.

“On my first appointment with Dr. Hall, he asked me, ‘How much weight can you lose in a month and how much weight can you gain in a weekend?’” Fourqurean remembered. “My answer was my ‘ah-ha moment.’ I can lose up to 8 pounds in any given month; but that’s also what I can gain on any given weekend. It’s a never-ending cycle.”

He was the perfect candidate for the relatively simple procedure, which requires a band to be surgically placed around the upper portion of the stomach; and ultimately decreases the amount of food portions a patient will consume. With fewer side effects, and quicker recovery from what many know as stomach stapling – or gastric bypass – lap band procedures are now offered in Lubbock by Hall.

Since his procedure at NorthStar Surgical Center in mid-January, Fourqurean is already down 65 pounds – just about half-way to his goal of losing 130 pounds total.

“It’s absolutely amazing, and Dr. Hall and his staff have been wonderful every step of the way,” he said. “My knee problems are virtually gone, and so are the foot problems I was having as a result of my weight. And, even better, I don’t watch the clock anymore, waiting for the next time to eat.

“It’s changed my life, and I’d recommend anyone with the same weight issues I had to do this same procedure yesterday if they have the chance.”

Debie Stuteville, LVN, another of Dr. Hall’s patients, agrees.

“This procedure has truly changed my life. I’ve not only lost 40 pounds already and feel more energy than I have in years; but my self-esteem is through the roof.”

Stuteville had her procedure one day before her 57th birthday on Nov. 21, 2008. And, she says she’s looking forward to reaching her goal of a total loss of 90 pounds by the time she reaches her next birthday this year. Teetering on severe diabetes before surgery and the difficulties associated with the disease, Stuteville is also optimistic, along with Dr. Hall, that her weight loss may in fact diminish her diabetes altogether by the time she reaches her goal weight.

“There’s already a significant change in my diabetes,” she said. “And all other health problems I had as a result of my weight. But now, I’m in good shape … and this procedure has truly, truly changed my life.

“I never want to be fat again.”

With more than 28 years of surgery experience, Hall has become one of the most experienced obesity surgeons in the country with over 5,000 cases performed. Hall has also demonstrated weight loss surgeries to interested surgeons from all over the U.S. and has personally taught many seminars on weight loss surgery.

For more information, please call 806-797-HALL (4255), or visit his website at www.surgicalweightloss.com