Jennifer’s Testimonial

Jennifer Ballew understood that her weight was making things difficult for her body. After all, her blood pressure was always high – even while taking two different blood pressure medications. But when a close friend of hers suffered a fatal heart attack, she knew she needed to get serious about weight loss. That’s when she discovered that bariatric surgery at Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management offered her a lasting solution to both her weight and cardiac concerns.

BENEFITS OF WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

  • Reduced/Eradicated High Blood Pressure
  • Reduced Joint Pain
  • Improved Mobility and Flexibility
  • Increased Energy, Activity Levels
  • Improved Mental Health
  • And More.

To learn more about the benefits of weight loss surgery, click here or call 770-609-1876.

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Losing a Friend, Finding Strength.

Jennifer Ballew knew she needed to do something about her weight and her high blood pressure. It’s why she tried all sorts of diets and even an appetite suppressant – to varying degrees of success, none of which lasted.

But in 2022 when a good friend who also suffered from high blood pressure experienced a fatal heart attack, Jennifer knew it was time to get serious. That’s when she made an appointment with Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management.

“When I lost my best friend, I knew I had to do something. I have two kids, and I had to get my health under control,” Jennifer said. “I knew my weight was a problem; it had been pretty much all my life. But it was also scary to have the kind of high blood pressure I was dealing with.”

Three years ago, Jennifer’s blood pressure typically measured around 150 over 90-100 (120 over 80 is typically considered “good” resting blood pressure). So, her blood pressure numbers were high even while taking two different blood pressure medications. Jennifer also suffered from constant pain and exhaustion. And it was all due to her weight concerns, which is what led her to Longstreet Clinic.

When Jennifer made her first visit to the Center for Weight Management and Dr. Eric J. Velazquez, FACS, FASMBS, her Body Mass Index (BMI) registered at 59 (normal weight BMI is considered between 18.5-24.9 BMI), a number which put her in the category of Class III obesity. With that understanding, Dr. Velazquez set about helping Jennifer to find a plausible and lasting solution to real health. And it was an approach that made a real distinction for the patient.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO CARE MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

“I’d never been in a doctor’s office and not been judged for my weight, so the way Dr. Velazquez and everyone at the Center for Weight Management treated me was awesome,” Jennifer said. “He was compassionate and wanted to help, and that really made a difference.”

Dr. Velazquez recommended bariatric surgery for Jennifer, specifically, a Roux-en-Y (RNY) gastric bypass.

It was then that she went from skeptic to believer.

“I had done my research for several years. And before I started working with Dr. Velazquez, I was like ‘I don’t know; I can do this on my own,’” Jennifer said. “But the way he worked with me and the way he presented everything, it really helped me make up my mind.”

Now she cannot imagine a life without bariatric surgery.

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RENEWED HEALTH, RENEWED COMMITMENT

Since undergoing a gastric bypass on Sept. 13, 2023, Jennifer has lost 235 pounds. She no longer suffers from high blood pressure or body aches. She’s off all blood pressure medications, and she’s living an active and fulfilling lifestyle with her twin boys, DeAngelo and Israel.

“Everything about it has far exceeded my hopes. I feel like I’m 30 years old again, or even younger,” Jennifer said. “Dr. Velazquez changed my life, and I only wish I had done it sooner.”

Jennifer’s lasting weight loss journey began during her first visit with Dr. Velazquez. She started seeing concrete losses even before her surgery, dropping 60 pounds while following a pre-surgery diet and routine.

“She looked at her situation and my recommendations, and said, ‘we’re going to do it,’” Dr. Velazquez said. “Since then, she’s followed the recommendations and done everything she needed to do.”

That includes sticking to a post-surgical diet that is built around lean protein, vegetables, regular water intake and a vitamin regimen. She also gets to the gym four days a week, working out with weights and cardio.

“I love going to the gym; I’ve got so much energy that it’s something I look forward to,” Jennifer said.

 

ANOTHER CHOICE, ANOTHER SUCCESS

 

In fact, Jennifer’s gastric bypass was so successful that she decided to undergo a second procedure with Dr. Velazquez called a panniculectomy. A panniculectomy is a surgery to remove excess skin and, in Jennifer’s case, that procedure came in March 2025 (18 months after the bypass).

“I’m very happy with the results,” Jennifer said. “I also has two hernias fixed at the same time, so I feel great now.”

It’s a big part of why you’ll find the Royston resident hiking the trails of north Georgia with her sons on just about every weekend (weather permitting, of course). It’s also why she wants to do some kayaking this year, travel more, and take another big leap – literally.

“I want to try skydiving,” Jennifer said. “I want to see what that adrenaline rush feels like.”

For Dr. Velazquez, it is heartening to see the change.

“Not only is she healthier, but she’s also happier,” Dr. Velazquez said. “You can tell by her demeanor. She’s more comfortable in her own skin, and that’s built a lot of confidence in the way she presents herself.”

Jennifer puts so much of that to the approach that Dr. Velazquez and his staff utilize with their patients.

“The way he and the staff supported me through everything and never once judged me was a big deal,” she said. “I’ve talked to other people who’ve been through surgical weight loss at other places, and they have not had the same experience.”

When she does talk to others who are considering surgical weight loss, Jennifer is emphatic – especially when it comes to the Center for Weight Management.

“I tell others don’t wait. Do it. It’s worth it. You won’t regret it, I promise you,” Jennifer said. “Dr. Velazquez changed my life.”

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.

Read More

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

770-534-0110

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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