Diane After!

Diane Before!

Diane is referring to the many Kingfisher citizens who helped to raise the $20,000 needed to fund Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery in mid-September 2003. Diane, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and Kingfisher resident, weighed over 400 pounds. Due to the severity of her diabetes and an increasing lack of mobility, she injected herself with increasing doses of insulin and was confined to an oversized wheelchair. For almost two years Diane appealed to her insurance company to pay for the medically necessary gastric bypass procedure, but they refused.

Providentially, the Bariatric Institute of Oklahoma (BIO) invited Diane to participate in a special study to determine the effects of gastric bypass surgery on morbidly obese diabetic Native American Women. The BIO accepted donations on Diane Hawk’s behalf to offset the cost of the surgeon, hospital, anesthetic, pulmonary studies, specialized intensive care, and physical therapy needed before and after the surgery.

Donations by the people of Kingfisher came to Diane’s rescue, helping to raise the money needed to offset the entire cost of her care. Some donations came from out of state, while Indian Taco Sales, a Mexican Dinner, and other fundraisers were held locally throughout 2003.

The entire project was stressful for Diane's family. "There were some scares and doubts about my coming through this surgery, but now they can see that it was for the best," she says.

It is now February and Diane has lost 100 pounds since the surgery. She no longer needs insulin and maintains a blood sugar level of 95 - 105 without medication. Blood pressure medicine is a thing of the past. "Now the only problem I have is what to wear," she laughs. "My clothes that used to be too tight are now too loose!"

Although Diane laughs and smiles about her "new life", it has not been an easy journey. "The surgery has completely changed my eating. Before I thought I had to eat a lot to live - but you don't. I had to learn that I can eat just enough to suffice - just enough to live on."

She has a long way to go. Diane is still unable to drive, and her knees still bother her. But she is out of her wheelchair now, and uses a walker to get around. "Without going to church and relying on my Creator, I would not have been able to do this. He made all the contacts, He made all the hearts move to help me, and He showed me that this is what I needed to live, because I tried everything else."

Would she recommend this surgery? "As a last resort, for a life-saving surgery, I would recommend this. This is not for someone 50 pounds overweight. This changes your whole life, and it's not easy. But I wanted to live."

The BIO was awarded charitable tax status as a 501c3 non-profit research foundation as of October 1, 2003. Contributors to Diane's surgery fund need to check with their tax advisor what part of their donation can be deducted as a charitable contribution. The BIO has many ongoing charitable projects and research initiatives to find the pathway to a better life for the clinically obese. Most donations will not require a receipt, but larger donors may e-mail the Bariatric Institute of Oklahoma at info@bariatricinstituteok.org to request a receipt for tax purposes.

Before the surgery,  Diane was often depressed and the future looked bleak. But now she has a different outlook. "I plan to continue to lose weight, to get away from the walker, and get back to work in serving the church and community in any way I can."

As she goes forward into this new stage of her life, Diane keeps looking upward. "I've been on many journeys and this is the one the Lord wants me to take. I not sure what it is, but there's a plan somewhere and He will show it to me when the time is right."

For more information about Diane's surgery and recovery, please see her website at buffalowalkingwoman.com.

-  Virginia Giglio, Ph.D., Pictures and Article for Kingfisher Times and Free Press

Diane Sitting!

Diane Smiling!