Retired Nurse Thankful for Local Surgical Care [Deb Tweed]

Video Transcript

Hi, I'm Deb Tweed. I'm from Brookings, South Dakota. I was a registered nurse, which I've retired from. I like to spend time with my granddaughter who's gonna start college next week.

Why did you need hernia repair surgery?

I had had two surgeries in the past, and I had to eat smaller portions when I ate, and also, I'd feel it when I'd lift. So, I was doing less lifting of things, and it just finally got really bad, and I knew I had to do something about it.

What was your impression of Dr. Marroquin?

I was very impressed with Dr. Marroquin. She was able to explain to me what needed to be done. Explained the da Vinci robotic thing. And after my surgery when I'm still out, she was able to explain to my daughter what they had done in terms that my daughter could understand.

Why did you choose da Vinci robotic surgery?

Because it's less invasive. They use the robot. They go in with just small, like, almost a puncture hole. And they get in, and they do what they need to do, and then they come out. You don't have a big incision.

What was your impression of the new surgery area?

Yeah, I was a nurse here before. I did do some post-op, so I was down in the surgery area at different times, plus having surgery. It was awesome to see those big surgery rooms, and the rooms were much bigger, much brighter, um, and the recovery rooms were much better. They were private. They weren't, you know, beds next to each other, and that was really nice.

How was your recovery?

Using the da Vinci, I had a lot less pain after surgery. I used very few pain pills where before I was on them for about two weeks.

What did you appreciate most about your care?

The kindness, everybody was so kind. The staff was excellent. I mean, I felt very comfortable the whole time I was here.

How has surgery changed your day-to-day life?

It almost changed right away. I didn't have this bump on my stomach. I didn't feel like every time I ate I was gonna get sick. And so, it was really good. And I'm just now able to lift again because it's only been seven weeks since surgery. But I don't feel pain when I lift.

Why do you recommend surgery at Brookings Health System?

We have an excellent surgeon. Dr. Marroquin was very good. And the way the staff treats you, you don't feel like you're just a number, you feel like you're something special. And they have good facilities now. I mean, state-of-the-art.

Are you one of Brookings Health System's grateful patients who would like to give back to us? Learn more about how you can give back at brookingshealth.org/mythanks.