Connie’s Testimonial

Years of battling obesity left Connie Davis struggling both physically and mentally. Excess weight contributed to two bad knees and reliance on a walker for mobility. Even more difficult, however, was the fact that she could not be as present as she wanted for her grandchildren. That’s when Connie made a choice to undergo bariatric surgery at Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management. That option has changed her life for good, and a second surgical procedure – a panniculectomy – has her loving a lifestyle without limits.

BENEFITS OF WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

  • Reduced Joint Pain
  • Improved Mobility and Flexibility
  • Increased Energy, Activity Levels
  • Improved Mental Health
  • Reduced Blood Sugar/Diabetes Threats
  • And More.

To learn more about the benefits of weight loss surgery, click here or call 770-691-1645.

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THE DOMINOES OF ONE HEALTHY DECISION

Just three years ago, the future was not a pleasant thought for Connie Davis.

Already struggling with two bad knees, Connie, in her early 60s, was using a walker to get around and knew that a wheelchair was a looming reality. For a doting grandmother, losing play time with her grandkids was even more agonizing than the grinding pain in her knees. However, knee replacement surgery was not an option for Connie because she was also battling morbid obesity.

That’s when she made a decision that turned her life around. After learning about Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management from both friends and relatives, Connie made an appointment with clinic leader and bariatric surgeon Dr. Robert Richard, FACS. With his caring and careful guidance, she determined to undergo a gastric bypass in July 2023 – the results of which have seen Connie lose 191 pounds.

“I cannot say what a difference that surgery did for me; it absolutely turned my life around,” Connie said. “I weighed 326 pounds, and now I can get out and play with my grandkids for as long as they want.”

Connie’s bariatric procedure allowed her to receive successful knee replacements and led to a panniculectomy – a procedure which removed excess skin. Performed by Center for Weight Management surgeon Dr. Eric Velazquez, MBA, FACS, FASMBS, the panniculectomy completed a total transformation, one that surprised even Connie herself.

“It’s really brought me a lot of joy, and it just feels so good,” Connie said. “You walk into a room and you’re not the largest one in the room. It builds up your self-confidence. And one thing leads to another, and you start feeling, ‘Oh, I can do this. Well, then I can do this, too.’”

A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

Not so long ago, Connie may have scoffed at the idea of a life free from weight concerns.

It wasn’t from a lack of trying. Like so many others who suffer from obesity, Connie did just about everything she could to try and address the situation, including trying all types of diets. She even enjoyed a few successes, only to watch them disappear and be replaced by further weight gain.

“I’ve tried Weight Watchers many, many, many times. At one point I had lost like 80 pounds on Weight Watchers,” Connie said. “It felt good once I got the weight off, but it was like once I met my goal the very next day, it seemed like I just started eating the way I did prior. So, that didn’t fix my problem at all, and I just gained the weight back. Then I gained a little more back. That’s a disappointing journey.”

Dr. Richard says it’s a common lament.

“You work so hard to lose weight, and then your body fights you when you stop doing those things and the weight comes back on. We see that so often with this disease – and we do treat it as a disease,” Dr. Richard said.

Indeed, obesity was classified as a disease by the American Medical Association to help shift the medical perspective away from this condition as a purely behavioral issue. The results help address the complex genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors involved.

“A lot of patients tend to blame themselves for this problem and not understand that this is truly a medical condition,” Connie said. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

That realization has led to significant change for Connie.

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT OPTION

After consulting with Dr. Richard, who has performed more than 7,000 weight loss surgeries during his distinguished career, Connie opted for a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RNY).

During the RNY bypass, Dr. Richard surgically divided a golf ball-sized portion of Connie’s stomach from the rest of her stomach, completely separating the two structures. He then attached a segment of Connie’s small bowel to her new, small stomach. The other branch of the bowel remained attached to the “original” stomach. The results delay the mixing of food with digestive juices, resulting in less absorption of calories and nutrients.

Connie’s restructured, smaller stomach also severely restricts the amount of food she can take in, making her feel full much sooner than with her previous, regular-sized stomach. (The larger lower portion of her stomach never holds food again but does help with digestion.)

The procedure also changed her gut hormones, helping Connie to feel full longer. This appetite suppression is a key component of the weight loss.

Nationwide statistics show that 80 percent of gastric bypass patients lose at least half of their excess body weight and maintain that loss for more than five years. The average weight loss equaled 80 percent of excess body weight.

In Connie’s case, the bypass proved hugely successful. But she also knew it wasn’t some sort of magic wand – rather weight loss surgery was just a tool to help her kickstart lasting health.

“Dr. Richard told me that they could give me the tool, but that I still had to do the work,” Connie said. “And I definitely still work. I opt for a small plate of food with every meal. And if I do go out to eat with my husband, we share; we’ll order something and share it – and I get plenty, he gets plenty.”

WEIGHT SUCCESS OPENS ANOTHER DOOR

The decisions weren’t finished for Connie, however. While her impressive weight loss success allowed her to receive new, pain free knees, it also created a situation for which she wasn’t fully prepared.

“After being morbidly obese and losing all that weight, I had some excess skin around my tummy, and that made me feel very self-conscious,” Connie said. “My clothes still didn’t fit exactly right, and it was very noticeable.”

Luckily, the Center for Weight Management had another solution for Connie. This time it came in the form of a panniculectomy. Performed by Dr. Velazquez in December of 2025, the procedure removed loose/hanging skin from a section of her abdomen. (This section of the body is called the “pannus”.) This permanent procedure provided a firmer contour to that area of her body.

“I think it’s a big service that we can do for our patients,” Dr. Richard said. “Having that option from my partner really sets us apart.”

A panniculectomy allowed Connie to achieve improved mobility, improved clothing fit, and improved self-esteem.

“It was great; I recovered fairly quickly, and because the Center for Weight Management staff worked for me, I didn’t have any problems getting insurance coverage for it,” Connie said. “Everyone at that center really cares for you, and it makes a huge difference.”

 

LOVING THE LIFE SHE’S LIVING

Now, Connie is reaping the benefits of her own determination and the work of the supportive staff at the Center for Weight Management.

The walker? Long gone, along with any threat of diabetes. And she can keep up with her grandkids for as long as they can keep going.

“It’s so much fun, and summer’s here, so there will be a lot of spend-the-nights coming,” Connie said, beaming. “I’m also learning to swim again – I haven’t swum since I was 11. My grandson even tells me I have Barbie legs!”

For a woman whose legs were once a source of severe pain, it is an inspiring observation. And she thanks the Center for Weight Management for the support and work that they performed to achieve it. In fact, she would recommend the same for anyone else in a similar situation.

“I’ve spent nearly three-fourths or more of my life being obese. Morbidly obese. Being embarrassed. Not being able to do things I enjoy doing, and now I’m having a blast,” Connie said. “It’s a big step, but sometimes a lot of people just need that encouragement to do it.”

No surgery is without risks. To learn of all the potential risks with weight loss surgery, click here.

More Patient Stories

The decision to have weight loss surgery is more than just a quick fix – it’s a lifelong journey. But for many who make the decision to change their lives, the long-term effects mean more than just a smaller number on the scale. We invite you to explore just a few of the many tremendous stories we witness each day.

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Our specialized bariatric care team is here to answer your questions and help you achieve your weight loss goals.

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Our Providers

Our bariatric team includes experienced surgeons, medical weight loss specialists and a registered dietitian.

Robert L. Richard M.D., FACS
Eric J. Velazquez MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS
Eileen D. Javellana M.D.
Oteia Keion Morris FNP-C
Maria Mercedes Hall FNP-C
Sheenagh King RD, LD, CPT

Locations We Serve

Longstreet Clinic Center for Weight Management has three convenient locations across Northeast Georgia plus telehealth options making appointments available across the U.S.

Gainesville
Braselton
Suwanee