LaConya’s Testimonial

LaConya Hutchinson spent her youth as an active, adventurous person. But when things started to change for her, they changed for the worst – and, she feared, forever. But when a friend showed her the very real and lasting benefits of bariatric surgery, she made her own decision to pursue surgical weight loss through the Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management. That choice halted her health spiral and, in fact, helped her to regain that active life she once loved. Now, she’s the friend that is helping others to see just how much they can take control of their own longstanding weight concerns.

BENEFITS OF WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

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

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

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Shining a Light for Bariatric Success

LaConya Hutchinson loved moving around and staying in shape – until she couldn’t.

For much of her youth, LaConya was active and never battled weight problems, but things slowly started changing in her 20s and 30s – so much so that she began to try diets and weight loss programs. Those programs, however, never quite did the trick, and she began to yo-yo back and forth from slight weight loss to further weight gain.

Once her mom passed away, however, things started to change significantly and for the worse. 

“The grief I suffered then combined with me starting to go through perimenopause, and then I really began gaining weight. And at that point, I just could not get it off,” LaConya said. “It was then that I knew that I needed help.”

An Example That Pointed the Way

Luckily, Laconya knew a friend who had undergone bariatric surgery with Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management. Her friend’s success with that approach led LaConya to contact the Center for Weight Management about her own situation.

Two years after that decision, LaConya has lost 94 pounds, is back to her active lifestyle and is even looking at marathons that she wants to run in Hawaii.

“All my friends that I know who are struggling with obesity; I am sharing with them and giving them information about what I went through with the Center for Weight Management,” LaConya said. “Because it really has changed my life for the better. And I want everyone to know about what I know.”

What LaConya knows is that she loves her new body and her old, active ways – and she says that the Center for Weight Management staff, including surgeon Dr. Eric Velazquez, MBA, FACS, FASMBS, has given her a valuable tool to be the best version of herself.

“Weight loss surgery has changed my life drastically,” LaConya said. “I feel like I’m in the right body now, so how I look on the outside matches how I feel on the inside, and that has been the biggest change for me. I’m also excited that I don’t have to take medications. I was taking medications for diabetes and high blood pressure, and I don’t take any of those anymore.” 

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Charting a Path to Success

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LaConya’s astounding weight loss success even led to a second procedure under the careful guidance of Dr. Velazquez. The first procedure – a Gastric Sleeve in May 2024 – helped her lose weight for good. The second was a panniculectomy in January of 2026 to help get rid of the loose skin that resulted due to her rapid and successful weight loss.

“We have a special relationship because, aside from her weight loss surgery, she also underwent a panniculectomy, which is a unique feature of our program – and our Center is probably one of the only bariatric health centers in the region to offer that service,” Dr. Velazquez said. “The reason we offer the panniculectomy is that a lot of my patients have amazing weight loss results with bariatric surgery, but then they tell me that they feel that they’re not 100 percent; they’re not fulfilled. They feel healthier, but the (excess skin) doesn’t let them enjoy that.”

That was exactly how LaConya felt after dropping impressive amounts of weight following the gastric sleeve procedure.

“I lost my first 50 pounds within the first few months. And it was a great experience,” LaConya said. “But I knew (the panniculectomy) was something that I had to do because even after I had the sleeve when I was running in the community, I could feel the flapping of my belly, and I would feel that discomfort. It was really frustrating and very uncomfortable.”

Another Decision, Another Success

LaConya’s situation at that time was in no way disappointing to her overall, however, as she was thrilled with how her gastric sleeve changed her health.

During that procedure, also called the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, Dr. Velazquez removed about two-thirds of LaConya’s stomach and left the remaining stomach in a tube or sleeve shape. The new, smaller stomach can contain only about a half to a full cup of food. However, no other aspect of LaConya’s digestive system was affected, so her altered anatomy did not inhibit her food choices, only the amount she can consume. 

The average weight loss experience with a gastric sleeve over two years runs about 50-60 percent of excess weight.

LaConya, who now weighs 118 pounds, understood this from the start and made a commitment to remain healthy – which is why she began a running regimen. Beyond eating healthy, the activity helped her to realize her goal. However, running also made her rapid weight loss and resulting body shape much more obvious to her – which is why she pursued the panniculectomy.

During the panniculectomy, Dr. Velazquez removed loose/hanging skin from a section of her abdomen – from the belly button down. This section of the body is called the “pannus”. The results of a panniculectomy are permanent and provide a firmer contour to that area of the body.

The benefits of a panniculectomy are numerous and include:

  • Improved mobility – Loose skin can make movement more difficult.
  • Healthier skin – Removing excess tissue reduces the chances of friction and significantly reduces the risk of rashes, fungus and irritation.
  • Improved joint health – Removal of excess skin produces further reduction of weight on your back and leg joints.
  • Improved clothing fit – Loose skin can sometimes make it difficult to find comfortable clothing.
  • Improved self-esteem – Patients are happier with their new look and feel, and it can provide a crucial final step in significant weight loss.

“About 20 years ago, when I first started to gain the weight, I would always say, ‘I’m going to have my stomach cut off and thrown in the trash.’ That was my joke, but I didn’t know that that would be a real thing,” LaConya said. “I just remember waking up from the panniculectomy and thinking to myself, I did it, and I was so proud of myself.”

 

Re-Discovering a Zest for Life

Now, LaConya can handle the requirements of her job as a teacher with ease, as well as continue to train for her ultimate goal: a marathon.

“My Body Mass Index is down, my blood sugar levels are regulated, my blood pressure is normalized. I’m able to work out and get down on the floor, tie my shoes, and walk long distances without being tired. It’s wonderful,” LaConya said. “Those are things that I was accustomed to before I gained all the weight.

“You do have to work to stay healthy, but these procedures are tools that I was given. That’s part of the whole approach to bariatrics at the Center for Weight Management. And I thank them so much for giving me my life back.”

For Dr. Velazquez and the staff at the Center for Weight Management, seeing successes like LaConya’s are a big part of why they do what they do.

“We love seeing people be happy, and we’re about being your partner in this journey for the long run,” Dr. Velazquez said. “So even now that LaConya’s enjoying her normal weight and doing all these things, we still want to have those touchpoints once a year with her to make sure that she continues to do well.”

It’s an approach that LaConya appreciates – and certainly one that forever changed her life for the better.

“I’m always singing or smiling or having some kind of joy inside, because I still can’t believe that this is what I’m living,” LaConya said.

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

Contact Us

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

770-691-1645

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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