Hello

Just wanted to say Hello.... to all the Natives out there. Hope you all reach your goals in the WLS progress. I would love to loose about 100lbs myself. I'm still in the progress of gathering information in all areas of WLS. Take care to you all.

Carmela, Go to your state message board(from the main message board page). You are always welcome on the Texas Message board too. We have a great group of people who will be glad to answer your questions. See you there. Cyn in Texas

Hello, I am Cheyenne from Oklahoma. I had my surgery on Sept. 23, 2003 in Edmiond, Ok. I have lost over 160 pounds now. And have gotten rid of a lot of medicines, Diabeties, sleep apnea and many other sickness. I started at 430 pounds and am now downw to 260. I was hoping to find more NATIVE AMERICANS that had this surgery. IHS wil not help pay for it here in Oklahoma Did your tribe or IHS help you? We have sucha high rate of Diabeties that I think there needs to be more info given on the type of surgery that get rid of Diabeties. Please reply I would love to hear from you. Diane www.buffalowalkingwoman.com

Hello Diane, thank you for replying. I'm Navajo, Piaute and Irish from Ft. Defiance Arizona. I have been wanting to talk with someone who has had this surgery also. I do really want this. I'm such a mess, physically, my knees are hurting right now. I feel like I'm 60 and not 40. I am Diabetic also. I want to feel good again. No, IHS will not help pay for this surgery, I dont think. I do have private insurance which will help me. And I do agree with you that hopefully one day IHS will see this as a way to help our Indian people with all this Diabeties all everything that comes along with it. I am soo amazed at how much people have changed after their WLS. How did you feel postop? Did you have very many complications during surgery? What type of WLS did you have? How many days were you out before returing to work? What types of food did you eat after your WLS? As you can see I have soo many questions? I'm hoping I can talk with you and anyone else to give all this info. I hope to be hearing from you........thank you Carmen