Patient Success Stories

North Florida Regional Medical Center

Anetra's Story 

Anetra Dexter is a busy woman.  With a son who is 11 years old, a daughter who is 9 and 4-year-old twins, it is all she can do to keep up with her kids.  These days, she is finding it easier to keep up with her children than she once did.  Anetra credits that to being more than 150 pounds lighter following weight loss surgery at North Florida Regional Medical Center. Read Anetra's entire story...

Brenda's Story

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one third of all Americans are obese.  Brenda Bagan is well aware of those startling statistics because she was included in those numbers.  At her heaviest, Brenda weighed 308 pounds.  She was tired of the way she felt, and she was afraid of what her weight would do to her health and her life. Read Brenda's entire story...

Judibeth's Story

Looking back a few years ago, Judibeth Taylor was happy about most things in her life.  She was happily married for nearly 50 years to the same man and enjoyed supporting his work as a United Methodist minister.  She was proud of their 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  But there was one thing she was definitely not happy about.  She weighed 307 pounds. Read Judibeth's entire story...

Robert's Story

Robert Lee is a man who appreciates the value of tools. He uses very large and powerful tools in his work as a mechanic at a very large industrial facility not far from his home in Starke, Florida. When Robert first met the surgeon who would perform bariatric surgery for him, his doctor made it clear the procedure was a tool -- not a magic pill. Read Robert's entire story...

Ocala Regional Medical Center

Allison's Story

I can’t recall how I got to be 336 pounds at the young age of 25. Looking back on my life, I am not sure how I actually got to that point. Being young and married, I wanted to do all of the things that my friends were able to do like go bike riding or go to the mall without feeling like everyone was staring at me. I tried just about every diet out there, finding success only to eventually gain back any weight that I had lost and then some. Read Allison's entire story...

Archie's Story

Surgery has changed my life by making me feel better and letting me have my life back. The way that I was heading, I wasn't going to live much longer. To date, I've lost 132 pounds am I'm still loosing. Since surgery I've been able to move around a lot easier, work around the house more, breathe easier, and walk farther. Read Archie's entire story...

Jackie's Story

When I made the decision to have weight loss surgery I weighed 252. I now weigh 130. The surgery was the best decision I could have ever made for myself. I have never felt more healthy and confident.  Read Jackie's entire story...

Jan's Story

After numerous failed attempts to diet my way to the perfect weight, I decided in May of 2004 that I had to get serious. The only way I could see to do that was to have weight loss surgery. My primary care physician agreed that weight loss surgery was the only way to prevent my health from further declining. Further declining from the already many co-morbidities that have been discovered due to my weight. Read Jan's entire story...

Marvin's Story

Since having my surgery with Dr. Jawad, my life has really changed. I've lost over 110 pounds and I feel great. I have more energy to chase my wife around, I don't need my blood pressure pills any more, I'm off all of my medications and am only taking my vitamins. Read Marvn's entire story...

Sandra's Story

My New Year's resolution actually happened on December 31st, 2002, the day that I had my Gastric Bypass surgery. I had researched the surgery, as well as the local surgeon. I chose gastric bypass because I am addicted to food, and I chose Dr. Jawad because he is the best surgeon in the world. Read Sandra's entire story...

Tamrah's Story

I am anxious to share my before and after photo with others and hopefully help them make their own decision. See Tamrah's photos...

Palmyra Medical Center

Debra's Story

Having the Lap-Band has actually given me life.  I'm no longer an observer but a participant. I love being part of the action now! See Debra's photos...

Sandi's Story

I am anxious to share my before and after photo with others and hopefully help them make their own decision. See Sandi's photos...

Staci's Story

I have had my LAP band three years!  Wow! What a a few years and losing a lot of weight can do for an individual.  I have come off all my medications. Prior to surgery I took medication for high blood pressure, asthma, reflux and often for lower back pain and spurs on both heels.  Now, I am medication free and the "skinny lady" inside me has been set free. Read Staci's entire story...