My entire life I have struggled with my weight. I was never able to share clothes with my girlfriends, I had trouble keeping up in the sports I played, and couldn’t even enjoy the fun things about being a kid/teenager because my weight prevented me from physically participating, or I was too embarrassed to be involved. Three years ago, I became the mother to a beautiful baby boy, and decided that it was time I made some changes and work towards becoming a healthier woman and mother. I tried a few diets, including Slim Fast and Weight Watchers, but nothing ever seemed to help me do anything but lose a couple pounds, and it was hard to stay consistent. In July 2011, I was offered a job working for Dr. David Dyer at the Centennial Campus in Nashville, TN. It was wonderful to see all of the transformations and hear the wonderful testimonies from post op patients who came in each day. On many occasions, I did research and asked questions about the different kinds of bariatric surgery, but never quite felt like it would be right for me. After all, I was only 23 years old, I had my whole life ahead of me to work on losing weight and getting healthy. After working for Dr. Dyer for about 9 months, I noticed that I had gained extra weight and my health was slowly declining. My back and legs ached and throbbed all day, I couldn’t walk up and down the stairs at my house, I couldn’t fit in any of my clothes, and worst of all, I couldn’t play with my son for more than a short period of time without feeling like I could pass out. I had hit 300 pounds and this was the final straw. I began the process of going through the insurance approval and spoke with Dr. Dyer about my interest in Gastric Bypass surgery. My insurance changed its guidelines about the time I finished my third month of my 6 moth diet prep, and I was able to get an approval after 3 months instead of 6! I had my surgery on July 2, 2012. For the first few weeks, I had a hard time with regret and depression and really was not sure that I had made the right decision. Anytime I felt down, I always had a great support system to help me back up. Between my family and my co-workers, I was able to keep pushing on. One morning, about 6 weeks out of surgery, I woke up and I felt like a new person! I had energy again, there was no pain or regret anymore, and I was HAPPY for the first time in years. It has been 4 months since my surgery, and as of today I have lost 80 pounds! I weigh 227 and this is the first time since I was in the 8th grade that I have been under 230 pounds. I look great, I feel great, and I could not be happier with my decision to undergo Gastric Bypass surgery and to have Dr. Dyer perform it for me!

Holly CarnellDate of Surgery: 07/02/2012

I had my surgery on February 6th 2012, my starting weight was 290 pounds, Today I weigh 188 pounds, this was the best decision that I have made for myself, Dr Houston performed my surgery.

Annie CowanDate of Surgery: 02/06/2012

My weight loss surgery experience has changed my life forever. From the beginning when I attended the seminar to today, everyone I have met at Centennial has been so encouraging and supportive of me. It was so comforting to learn how many of the staff at the Center for Obesity and Centennial Women’s Hospital have also had weight loss surgery and had been so successful with the program. After seeing them I knew I too could do it. With this encouragement, the skillful hands of a great surgeon and the information provided by the dietitians and exercise physiologist I was able to reach goal weight in less than 9 months.
 
Another useful part of the Centennial experience has been the Support Group at Centennial. I have found this group very educational as well as supportive. I drive 170 mile round trip and find it definitely worth the trip.
 
All these things have made the weight loss experience the “time of my life”. I can’t think of a time in my life when I have had more fun. Thank you for being a part of our new website, what a great way to pay it forward!

Kathy PaytonAge: 53%%Date of Surgery: 09/18/2007%%Surgery Procedure: Gastric Bypass

The staff at the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity has always been extremely courteous and has assisted me in every way possible. Dr. Olsen has been extremely professional and went above and beyond to explain my surgical procedure and has answered my post operative questions in great detail. He truly cares about the well-being of his patients. In my opinion Dr. Olsen’s experience, knowledge, surgical skills, personality, and professionalism make him second to none in bariatric surgery. I can, without hesitation recommend Dr. Olsen and his staff to anyone that is considering bariatric surgery.
 
I lost 83 pounds in the first 10 months after surgery and am nearing my goal weight. I feel much better now, am jogging two or three times a week, and have stopped taking two of the prescription drugs I was previously taking for high blood pressure and arthritis. But most importantly, I have dropped three or four strokes off of my golf handicap!!!”

John SloanAge: 57%%Date of Surgery: 06/25/2007%%Surgery Procedure: Gastric Bypass

When I chose Centennial in 2001 for my bariatric surgery, I knew it was a special place, everything just felt right. Over the years, seeing how the program at Centennial continued to grow and to offer opportunities to their patients that other facilities just were not able to offer, I knew I made the right choice. The level of commitment that Centennial has made to the patients, the staff, the surgeon’s, that’s what embodies the Centennial Experience.

Pam DavisAge: 43%%Date of Surgery: 03/02/2001%%Surgery Procedure: Gastric Bypass

Centennial’s Center for the Treatment of Obesity is a one-stop shop for bariatric surgery patients. It has everything the bariatric patient needs – it’s a great source of information, there are nutritionists and an exercise physiologist on staff, psychological support, plastic surgery consults, support groups throughout the region, financial counselors who will guide you through the insurance approval maze and office staff who will happily assist you with whatever you need – they will even talk you through those little meltdowns that occur when you are losing weight (or in the process of getting insurance approval). The surgeons are excellent; you can’t go wrong with any of them (that’s what I hear at support group, anyway). My experience at Centennial has been consistently positive. From the seminar I attended in 2001 to these years after surgery, I’ve felt accepted, loved and supported. Debbie Thompson gave me a ton of moral support; Lisa Ferrell was extraordinarily helpful in my dealings with the insurance company; Jill Burns has been fabulous to answer my questions and the exercise physiologist has been most helpful in tips to get me moving. Dr. Olsen saved my life.Not only did he do an excellent job with the procedure, he has always been encouraging and helpful during the process of losing the weight. He gave me a tool that I can use for the rest of my life to be fit and healthy.
 
I will be 8 years out on 13 August 2009. I weigh less right now than I ever have in my adult life. I can move – I can breathe – life is good! Thanks Centennial!

Lesa FranklinAge: 45%%Date of Surgery: 08/13/2001%%Surgery Procedure: Rou-En-Y Gastric Bypass