Patient Credits Dr. Walter Sartor for Saving Her Life

She Maintains a 127-pound Weight Loss

ANEDRA LONGSTREET’S EYES FILL WITH GRATEFUL tears every time she reflects on the actions of Dr. Walter Sartor at the Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana.

She was scheduled to undergo weight loss surgery at the Surgery Clinic. However, her medical plans changed when Dr. Sartor discovered some troubling bloodwork results. He acted quickly.

“I feel like God sent me to the Surgery Clinic for a purpose. He allowed Dr. Sartor to intervene. Without Dr. Sartor and his medical team, I could have died. I tear up every time I think about it,” Anedra said. “I had no idea how sick I was until my lab work returned. I didn’t feel well but attributed it to my obesity and diabetes.”

While Anedra was healing, dietitian Marci Parker continued to call and encourage her, even educating her on nutritional foods. Anedra said, “Marci will never know the huge impact she had on my life.” Anedra healed and underwent gastric sleeve weight loss surgery, performed by Dr. Sartor, in December of 2021. She has lost 127 pounds.

“Now, I don’t take anything for granted. Every activity, whether I can do it or not, I am going to try it. God has given me a second chance at life as a healthy individual.”

Anedra can now tie her shoes without holding her breath and no longer struggles to exit her car. No more seatbelt extenders, no more worrying about weight limits. Anedra directs two group homes; her significant weight loss has also impacted her professional life. “This weight loss has changed the trajectory of my career. I am responsible for the daily operations in those homes, and I take it very seriously. I can walk, inspect, confer with other departmental heads, make recommendations, and ensure we are in compliance. I am sleeping better, which allows me to think more clearly and focus,” she said. “It is unbelievable how great you feel after a good night’s rest. I can squat, lift, reach, and twist, which is so important when you are teaching CPR.”

Her “most proud moment” happened when she and her family traveled to Six Flags in July. “I made it the entire day without shortness of breath, dry mouth, or dizziness. I could push our daughter up those steep hills in her wheelchair and never miss a beat! Those are the moments I live for now—family time.”

Anedra, who has struggled with obesity her entire life, was inspired to undergo weight loss surgery when she had a startling realization.

“I realized I was going to be lying in the cemetery plot next to my mother if I didn’t get myself together,” she said. “My mother was obese and had obesity-related issues. She passed away at 47 from a massive heart attack and pulmonary embolus. She took one deep breath and was gone. It all happened within a second. I knew that was not what I wanted for my life, and I had to do something differently.”

The Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana, home of Delta Vein Care, houses surgeons Dr. Walter Sartor, Dr. Bart Liles, Dr. Patrick Smith, and Dr. Mohamed Bakeer. Contact the clinic with questions about preventative health, general surgery, vein care procedures, and weight loss surgery. Learn more about our services at SurgeryClinicNELA.com