“Everything is great!” These are the words of Annette Ponthier a year after her weight loss surgery at Lane Regional Medical Center. Annette was the very first patient at Lane to have the gastric sleeve procedure, and her experience could not have been better with Dr. Frank Sanfiel and the staff at the Lane Surgery Group.
“Dr. Sanfiel was very comforting. I was torn between the sleeve and the bypass. He told me, ‘That’s the way God plumbed you, I’m not going to change that,” remembers Annette. His comforting care and reassurance were very important to Annette. Furthermore, Dr. Sanfiel also had undergone the gastric sleeve surgery himself, further reassuring Annette in her weight loss journey.
What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
It might be challenging to determine which weight loss surgery is ideal given the variety of options available. Lane provides the Gastric Sleeve, a laparoscopic treatment that involves removing ¾ of the stomach. By eliminating the section of the stomach that communicates hunger to the brain, this operation both restricts the amount of food that may be consumed and lessens hunger.
Although most patients can return to work in as little as one week following the treatment, the surgery requires a one-night stay in the hospital. The procedure is very successful and safe. The team at Lane understands your mental and nutritional demands, works with you to attain and maintain an active lifestyle, and tailors your surgical plan to suit your specific needs.
Before and After Annette’s Weight Loss Surgery
Before Annette’s gastric sleeve surgery, everything felt like a chore. “I would get winded just by walking. I’d constantly need to rest. I needed to use a shoehorn. I was taking medicine for a number of health conditions,” remembers Annette.
After her gastric sleeve procedure, none of that is needed. Annette enjoys being active and exercising, she is off all of her medications, and there’s not a shoehorn in sight. So far she has lost 85 lbs. “I love how I feel and that I can get down on the floor and play with my grandkids.”
Weight Loss Surgery at Lane Regional Medical Center
Annette had wanted to undergo weight loss surgery for years. The experts at Lane Surgery Group and their location in Zachary were a convenient option, and their level of service and care exceeded all of her expectations. “His office was amazing! Charlie and Dana made sure everything was smooth, they set up all of the appointments and were always there for me. They made it a lot better for me.”
Annette was surprised by how quickly the process was able to take place. Dr. Sanfiel is pleased with her progress, but she still has some goals to achieve. “It’s been great, but I still have a ways to go,” says Annette.
For those considering this weight loss experience, including a friend of hers who has undergone the same procedure, Annette has some words of wisdom and encouragement. “Don’t wait. Do it. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.” Most importantly, she recommends having a great support system. “I had my family’s full support, and you really need that.”
