Arnell Shares Her Weight-Loss Story

At 5-foot-5, 231 pounds, Arnell knew her excess weight was taking a toll on her body and way of life. She had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, depression and saw diabetes “on the horizon.” Arnell had given up activities she loved, like volunteering at Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program, where she prepared horses for riders.

Supported by her husband and teen-age daughter, she pursued bariatric surgery with Cottage Health and Dr. Marc Zerey. “I knew there had to be a tool like that out there to help me, and this is exactly what I needed.”

At Dr. Zerey’s request, Arnell started walking and changed her diet before surgery, she weighed 219 pounds when she had a gastric bypass procedure in August of 2014. The surgery helped her shed more pounds by making her stomach smaller and limiting food absorption. Now, she weighs 139 and shares clothes with her daughter. “I went from a size 16 to a size 2 in jeans!”

The procedure did more than change a number, it gave Arnell a new lease on life. She no longer requires medication or her sleep apnea machine, and she is volunteering again. “It’s been the best thing I’ve done for my health and my family.” “The care has been phenomenal. Dr. Zerey and the staff couldn’t be more knowledgeable, supportive and helpful.”

Meet Our Cottage Bariatric Surgeons

To find out if bariatric surgery is the right option for you or a loved one, attend one of our free weight-loss seminars, which are held regularly in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Maria and Oxnard and Pismo Beach. If you are between 18 and 65 years old, get the facts about weight-loss surgery from the hospital you trust.

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