Bernadine A. Hanna, MD

Just had gastric bypass surgery. Down 25lbs in 8 day!!! My body looks awful tho. Lol. Want to have body lift once all the weight is off!!!
Dr Hanna also repaired a hernia. Very painful but well worth it. I over ate for years an let myself go. I iust had a major birthday on Sept 10 but still feel relatively young. Thanks!
Updated on 22 Jun 2016:
I have a REAL life now! I feel so much better. I look so much better. I'm actually dating. I'm going to pool parties...in a bikini. I will be 56yrs old Sept 10, 2016 and I've NEVER been sexier or more happy than now! I do have some saggy skin but I'm in the gym an pool daily working on it. Eventually Id like to get an arm an breast lift. But I'm happy how I look now...an so is my new man!????????

After 3 year's of research, and getting denied once it's finally happening for me! I'm so excited I keep daydreaming my new life, I want to go back to school and start a family. I pray that I'm Making the right decision. I don't have no choice really if I don't have surgery by the time I'm 30 I'll probably be in a wheelchair

Updated on 23 May 2017:
Getting sleeved June 14th!! Last appointment at the end of the month.
I'm wrecking my nerves, I'm scared and nervous but I have to do this

I've been dieting for the past 6 years. I lost 79lbs at one point and gained more than half. That was over 3 years ago. My recent diet was a very strict low carb diet. I was on that for 1 year. Then Thanksgiving 2015 happened. I went crazy with carbs! I could not get back on track. I gained back what I lost plus 20 additional pounds!!! I just can't seem to keep it off.

I've made up my mind. I want the gastric sleeve. I have my first appointment tomorrow. I'll be seeing Dr. Hanna, Bernie here in Las Vegas. I have read great reviews. My insurance covers the procedure but only up to $7,500. So we'll see what the out-of-pocket expense will be. I'm willing to rob a bank to get this surgery. Lol I'm kidding but I'll take a loan or whatever it takes. Will update after my appointment. I hope and pray
I have surgery this year sometime. I don't want it to take forever.

Updated on 23 Jun 2016:
I'm here in the waiting room. Im axious. I know this is what I want.

Updated on 24 Jun 2016:
I met Dr Hanna and loved him! I had all my questions answered. I'll have to be on a 3 month diet, my Aetna insurance requires this. I will have at least 12 different appointments to complete. I'm feeling overwhelmed but it must be done. I won't even know my out of pocket expense until every appointment is done. That's the only complaint. I need an ECHO of my heart, upper GI test, letter of recommendation from pcp, psyche eval, nutritionist appointment once a month, gastric appointment once a month. I wish I was just paying cash!! ????

Updated on 24 Jun 2016:
I clicked on gastric bypass and I can't change it. I'm trying to do the gastric sleeve.

Updated on 4 Oct 2016:
I have one more appointment this Friday. I passed the psych eval. Now I need a cardiac clearance. Can't wait till its all done.

Updated on 11 Oct 2016:
So today is it. Last hoop I had to jump thru. I'm at the cardiologist getting cleared for surgery. It has been a loooooong process. My insurance better approve me for this.

Updated on 9 Nov 2016:
It's been a long road but my insurance approved my surgery. I'm scheduled for surgery Nov. 30th. I'm
getting nervous now though.

Updated on 12 Nov 2016:
Ok These will be my before pics pretty soon

Updated on 24 Nov 2016:
I'm so discouraged right now! My surgery is supposed to be November 30th and my surgeons office called me to let me know the hospital says their portion is $9,553!!!! I know my benefits state I pay a $1000 dollar deductible plus a hospital fee for inpatient. I called my insurance company and they have no clue why this facility wants to charge me this astronomical amount. I can't talk to nobody there because it's a 4 day weekend (Thanksgiving) I feel like they're just trying to get money out of me, or maybe they're looking at a different patients information?? I don't know... We'll see what happens this Monday when I call. I know there's no way I can pay that. I want to go to TIjuana now. I've heard Dr. Maytorena is great but my husband hates the idea.

Updated on 4 Dec 2016:
It's been a long difficult road to get to where I'm at right now. My surgery was rescheduled from November 30th to December 12th. The hospital wants a minimum of $6,000.00 of the $9,600.00. My beautiful family really came thru for me. They all pitched in and I have exactly $6,000.00 for this surgery. I was very upset that they're charging me that much but I guess there's a clause written into my Aetna plan that members don't see, ridiculous right? Oh well I know I want this surgery without a doubt.

Updated on 13 Dec 2016:
My surgery was yesterday. When I woke up it was the most horrific pain and nausea of my life. I thought I might die! It was awful. My surgery was at 8am but by 11pm I began to feel better. They gave me so many anti nausea meds and NONE helped me. The same goes for the pain meds. I've walked around a lot but the gas seems to be "stuck" below my diaphragm. I immediately regretted doing this after waking from surgery. Well hoping the worst is over. My highest weight was 299lbs surgery weight was 281lbs

Updated on 9 Mar 2017:
Hi guys it's been a little while. Ok so here's my update. I'm down 52lbs. so far. My surgery was almost 3 months ago on December 12th 2016. I can't tell by my appearance yet, but my clothes are getting bigger and tying my shoes is a lot easier. I feel better. The 1st week was rough but so far I'd say it worth it. I was scared I'd be that tiny percent and have a leak, clot etc but I thank God it's all gone well. Im rating most foods now. Getting full now isn't the same as before. The sensation is different. I don't get that full satisfied feeling anymore. It just kinda hurts then I know I'm full. Other times I get a little sick. I'm still adjusting I can only eat about 3 or 4 spoonfuls of solid food. I'm struggling on getting my water, vitamins and protein in:( I know my blood work will reflect that. It's hard to take everything they want me to... I haven't got a handle on they yet. Here's a recent picture

Updated on 13 Jun 2017:
I feel sooo much better lots of energy and more confidence for sure. Here's my updated picture

Updated on 13 Jun 2017:


Updated on 23 Sep 2017:
9 months out down122lbs. I have more self confidence. Life is easier! God is good

Updated on 23 Sep 2017:
122lbs gone

Updated on 25 Oct 2017:
It's crazy to think I've lost that much weight! For me it's been hard getting used to my new size. It really messes with my head sometimes. I do enjoy shopping for clothes now and before it was very depressing. Life has changed, I have a new job with the same company. It's all been a huge adjustment. This job alone has been crazy! Even people have changed.
Strangers seems to be nicer now, it kind of upsets me because people looked at me in a mean, judgmental way before. That went on for almost 15 years. Every time I went to Walmart it happened. So Ive witnessed it, some people are real d#%^* My coworkers are great though I'm just not comfortable with all the attention that I get from my female coworkers. I like blending in the background. They all tell me how great I look and I know they mean well. They're awesome but I really hate the spotlight! Unfortunately, I have saggy skin and I've lost so much hair!! Hey that's part of it, I knew I'd have saggy wrinkly skin but I was hoping by some miracle I wouldn't. I can live with it LOL
I would still recommend the sleeve to improve your health (physically). I've been very fortunate, no complications whatsoever. I would still have surgery if I had to do it again. I know I made the right choice. It's just not all rainbows and butterflies and that's where I went wrong. I made it into some fairy tale after trying to lose weight all those years and fantasizing about how amazing and beautiful it would be. Now, I'm around 25lbs. away from goal weight and I'm still not happy with myself. Sorry this is my experience, I thought my state of mind was ok before surgery but maybe it wasn't lol. Well I passed the psychology test. Anyway, this won't happen to you. Don't worry.
Here's my before and now pics (still losing weight)
starting weight 299lbs
Current weight 170lbs
Goal weight 145lbs

Updated on 6 Aug 2018:
I’ve lost a total of 144lbs. Here’s some updated pics