Speaker Bios

Sue Lassetter

Sue Lassetter is what she calls "a Bariatric Graduate", having had Roux-n-Y gastric by-pass surgery in March of 2003.  She says, "It is truly the decision that 'changed my life forever'; the impact of this weight loss and the subsequent changes in what I do and can do takes my breath away. The surgery took away an immediate weight problem and provided in it place self-confidence, empowerment, and self-trust".  She has established and led Surgical Weight Loss support groups for Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, led local classes, facilitated private weight loss groups, and conducted in-service trainings for nursing staff, and spoken to groups all over the country about effects of gastric by-pass surgery. She writes and delivers WLS programs as a trainer. 

Sue, a Co-Founder of Bariatric University, has a long history in education, as an administrator, counselor, and teacher in public education, pre-K to Post graduate supervision. She trained and worked as a therapist, and most recently maintains a practice as a Life Coach which involves speaking, advocacy and facilitation. Sue's own education includes a B.A. in education, and an M.A. in counseling. She took further training at the Process Therapy Institute in Los Gatos, certification in hypnotherapy at the Center for Hypnotherapy, coach training from the Relationship Coaching Institute and the Institute for Life Coach Training as well as the Coach Training Institute. She has been an instructor for Institute for Life Coaching Training.  Sue is interested in all aspects of recovery from obesity. Sue is a member of the International Coach Federation, the Silicon Valley Coach Federation, and the Campbell Chamber of Commerce. Sue loves to design and give workshops. Among them are • Creating What You Really REALLY Want! • And Just Why Not?  She is extremely grateful for the opportunities and health that the surgical weight loss process and outcome has afforded her. 

Colleen Cook

Colleen Cook is a successful weight loss surgery patient from 1995. She is the President of Bariatric Support Centers International, a company that specializes in providing education and support services for weight loss surgery patients and the professionals who serve them. She is a also the founder and former chair of the National Support Group Network for Allied Health Sciences, a committee of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Colleen is currently serving on the National Advisory Board for the Walk From Obesity.

Colleen is a sought after speaker & former host of the radio show, “Obesity’s Surgical Solution”. She is the author of the internationally acclaimed Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients? one of the most widely used resources within the bariatric community. This 2nd edition of the Success Habits book has been “A Listed” on Amazon.com and was recently published in Spanish.

Sharing her experiences and imparting insight and inspiration, Colleen will teach and motivate you to recognize and achieve your extraordinary potential with courage and confidence.

Dr. Jacqueline Jacques

Dr. Jacqueline Jacques is a Naturopathic Doctor with more than a decade of expertise in medical nutrition. Dr. Jacques has spent much of her career in the dietary supplement industry as a formulator, speaker, writer and educator. She is the Chief Science Officer for Bariatric Advantage, a company dedicated to providing the best of nutritional care to weight loss surgery patients. Additionally acknowledged for her general expertise in natural medicine, Dr. Jacques appears as a guest on radio and television, and regularly writes articles for trade publications. She lectures both nationally and internationally to health professionals and the public alike. She has dedicated the vast majority of the past eight years of her life to the weight loss surgery community, teaching medical nutrition and advocating for standards in nutritional care. Her greatest love is empowering patients to better their own health. She is also the author of a clinical guidebook called Micronutrition for the Weight Loss Surgery Patient, available through Matrix Medical Communications. She additionally serves on the boards for the Obesity Action Coalition and the Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. When not working, she spends as much time as possible with her 2 sons, ages 7 and 10.

Chef David Fouts

Chef David Fouts received his Culinary Degree in 1994 from the Florida Culinary Institute in sunny West Palm Beach, Florida. Soon thereafter he was hired by the prestigious 5 Star Diamond Hotel “The Breakers” in West Palm Beach, where he worked for several years. Other professional appointments include Director of Food Services at Hippocrates Health Institute which is one of the premier vegan/vegetarian resorts in South Florida; Executive Chef for Omni Hotels; and Personal Chef for a wonderful family in Naples, Florida. He currently is the Executive Chef for Sage Gourmet Café and Market located in the Deep Deuce District of Oklahoma City

Over the last several years, Chef Dave has written, contributed and advised on several editorial boards for publications throughout the country. In 2003 David Fouts wrote his first book, “Culinary Classics: Essentials of Cooking for the Gastric Bypass Patient”. The book was born out of his passion to help patients he works with on a daily basis, to help them overcome their challenges with food choices following weight loss surgery. It was this endeavor which led Chef Dave to contribute to the first edition of “Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies”, as well as an invitation to the editorial board as a contributor for WLS Lifestyles magazine. Chef Dave is the exclusive chef for WLS Lifestyles magazine and Food Columnist for the Edmond Sun. Chef Dave’s newest cook book “30 Days to Ditch Your Diet” will be released Fall 2009.

These days, you can find Chef Dave lecturing and performing cooking seminars across the country. He advises on food and product developing teams for companies such as Keebler, Uncle Ben’s, Coke, PepsiCo and many others. In addition Chef Dave is on the advisory board for the Obesity Action Coalition as well as the Spokes person for the ACF Kids Obesity Initiative. He was recently featured on the front cover of WLS Lifestyles Magazine in their quarterly issue. Besides his national speaking engagements, Chef Dave is proud to say he is kept very busy in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he lives with his lovely wife and two children. He is actively involved in his new community and work, and enjoys leisure and travel time with his family.

Barbara Thompson

Barbara Thompson battled a weight problem from the day she was born. When she finally admitted to herself in her late twenties that her “baby fat” was turning into a serious problem, she began dieting earnestly, only to diet her way to morbid obesity. Over her adult life she experienced the very common pattern of losing weight, regaining it and adding a few additional pounds. When her weight reached 264 pounds, and a herniated disk in her back was causing her to face disability, she knew she was in trouble. She decided to have the life-altering gastric bypass surgery. That was in 2000 and she hasn’t looked back since!

Barbara Thompson is a much in demand national speaker to audiences as large as 18,000. Through her speaking, she brings hope to the dangerously obese, and stresses the right for personal dignity at any weight. She has served as a consultant to CNN and the Wall Street Journal. She has been featured in People Magazine and ABC’s Nightline, and she is a frequent contributor to Fox and Friends. Barbara is also the Chairman of the Board of the Obesity Action Coalition.

Her book, Weight Loss Surgery: Finding the Thin Person Hiding inside You now in its 4th edition, is a “must read” which provides a practical handbook that is used by patients who are preparing to have the surgery, as well as those living their life afterwards. Her book has been dubbed “the unofficial bible of bypass patients” by the Philadelphia Inquirer. She co-authored Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, published by Wiley in 2005, and is an exclusive contributor to WLS Life Styles Magazine.

Barbara lives in Pittsburgh with her wonderful husband Frank, endures typical teenage abuse from her daughter Erin, receives daily inspiration from her 94-year old mother, receives unconditional love from her Maltese Munchkin and is allowed to live in her home by her cat Luca.

Dana Schroeder

Dana Schroeder, CBN, RN PHN, ILCT Certified Life Coach, Bariatric University Co-Founder, International Coach Federation ACC, Bariatric Coordinator: Good Samaritan Hospital, Support Group Facilitator Coach, Stanford University; BSCI certified group facilitator and Founding Compass Coach. She has over 25 years in the Health Care/Management and Sales of Durable Medical Equipment. Currently, she is the Bariatric Co-ordinator at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose and a Support group Leader at Stanford Univeristy Hospital. As a Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) patient she has become involved with development of aftercare programs and is passionate about the role of support services for Bariatric patients. Contracting with several local hospitals to provide services in the area of Bariatrics. As a Life and Health Coach, Dana facilitates numerous WLS support groups, teaches seminars and classes related to Life, Health and Financial Success Strategies. She is currently writing books on the topics of WLS and SuccessStrategies to find Balance and Joy in everyday living.

Karen Donaldson, MS, RD, LD

Karen Donaldson, MS, RD, LD is an EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) practitioner, registered dietitian, and personal trainer who specializes in helping real people with real bodies understand how nutrition, fitness, and emotions affect their bodies. Release the emotions that are keeping you overweight, balance your nutrition for optimal health and weight loss, enjoy fun, easy-to-do exercises, and discover peace and joy with Karen’s holistic approach!

Joseph Nadglowski, Jr.

President and CEO, Obesity Action Coalition
Executive Director, ASMBS Foundation

Joe Nadglowski is President & CEO of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) – a non-profit patient organization formed in 2005 dedicated to elevating and empowering those affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support. A frequent speaker and author, Mr. Nadglowski has more than 15 years of experience working in patient advocacy and education and is a graduate of the University of Florida. In addition, Joe is the Executive Director of the ASMBS Foundation, through a partnership between the OAC and the Foundation. Through this partnership, the OAC and ASBS Foundation aim to increase awareness and education on obesity and its treatments by bringing National attention to the cause through the annual “Walk from Obesity.”

Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown is a remarkable Renaissance woman who is hailed as one of the great relationship experts. Charlie is a highly sought after Bariatric Relationship Speaker. As a lecturer, educator, author, and relationship activist, she continues to travel the world, spreading her relationship wisdom.

Within the rhythm of her Love Sex and WeightLoss (LSW) seminars and the elegance of her style Charlie’s unique Q & A portion of her LSW gives power to attendees to capture the intimacy in their relationship. Charlie motivates attendees through the vigor and elegance of her approach. The LSW interactive workshop is for couple interested in building or maintaining a quality relationship.

Charlie Brown, MBA, is a successful weight-loss surgery patient who has lost 137 pounds since January 2007. She is the Executive Director of Bariatric Care Network. She has an extensive fourteen (14) year background in relationship seminar facilitating and leadership communication, six (6) years as the Editor for a local parent magazine and five (5) years as a modeling agent.

Charlie has been married to her husband, Charles, for 19 years. They have six daughters, and she understands what it takes to create longevity in a relationship. As an activist for strong relationships, she devotes much of her time to many small support groups to help couples achieve the quality relationships they so richly deserve.

Dr. Timothy Katzen

Dr. Katzen is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has the respected medical credentials you deserve. He is a specialist who has met and surpassed the highest standards of his profession. This includes passing stringent oral and written exams and undergoing years of residency training.

After earning his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Katzen completed residency training in plastic surgery as well as three separate subspecialty fellowships. In addition, he is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons.

With his extensive training in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including fellowships in burn surgery, microsurgery and craniofacial surgery, Dr. Katzen knows the body inside out. He has literally changed people’s lives using the most advanced procedures. Procedures that have helped accident and disease victims live normal, healthy lives again.

By winning several awards for his groundbreaking research, Dr. Katzen has gained the admiration of his peers and the gratitude of his patients. He has authored over 20 publications and four textbook chapters and has been a guest lecturer throughout the United States. Dr. Katzen has also been featured on all four major television networks as a plastic surgery expert.

“As a plastic surgeon, I am able to make a positive impact in the lives of my patients, which is both personally and professionally rewarding. I do this by offering the latest and safest procedures available along with an eye for artistry. My ultimate goal is to help people look as beautiful as they feel. In addition, the education and training I’ve received help assure my patients that I’m providing them with a level of care they can feel confident about.

“I am also dedicated to patient-centered care. I will provide you with an unhurried consultation in which all of your questions are answered in great detail. I will also take the time to thoroughly explain all of your treatment options. Finally, you will feel safe and confident knowing that your procedure will be performed in one of Southern California’s most prominent hospitals.”

- Dr. J. Timothy Katzen

Janean Hall

Janean Hall a partner of Bariatric Support Centers International is a respected WLS-Bariatric patient and professional who credits her success in maintaining a 135-pound loss to the Success Habits Principles. As the Director of Education and a National Trainer for BSCI’s Support Group Leader and Back-on-Track facilitator certification programs, she is the creative mind behind the development of the Success Habits Lesson kits now being used in hundreds of support groups throughout the country. Other contributions include the dietary guidelines book and supplementary resources, BSCI curricula, and her most recent work: a 5-day kick start food plan for patients who are stuck or need to get back on track. Janean is a Certified Bariatric Coach, an instructor for Bariatric University’s Introduction to Coaching Skills course, and a valuable resource to the entire bariatric community.

Marilyn Gordon

Marilyn Gordon is a Life Transformation Specialist, Board Certified Hypnotherapist, Teacher, Healer, Author with over thirty years experience. She is deeply interested in nutrition, health and habit control, and she has helped many people lose weight and shift their food habits and lifestyles.

Reverend Mike Warthen, MDiv, APC

Mike is an ordained minister who has chosen to bring his calling into the growing field of bariatric medicine. He is a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains. He has served as the Senior Pastor of local congregations and has now discovered the joy of ministry that exists beyond the walls of the church. He has served as a pastoral counselor and spiritual mentor to both patients and staff of successful bariatric programs. His supportive efforts in the bariatric community have proven to be a valuable asset in by educating others how to provide health care that is truly holistic: involving the mind, body, and spirit.

Reverend Warthen is presently supporting the bariatric community in an advocacy role as the Director of Product Development with Surgical Review Corporation. SRC is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the safety, efficacy and efficiency of bariatric and metabolic surgical care worldwide.

Lynnda Shepard

Co Host of Bariatric TV. I am currently celebrating the 15th anniversary of my 29th birthday.. In other words – I am 44. I am happily married to my husband of 19 years. We have a 16 year old daughter. I have been working in IT for the last 20 years. Currently working as a program manager on a military contract. I had my surgery on November 17th, 2003 and also with Dr. George Mueller. That is how Toni and I met, in fact.. In Dr. Muellers waiting room. On the day of my surgery I weighed 250lbs (give or take a few lbs – probably give). I have lost 120lbs. I enjoy vintage clothes shopping both on eBay and in stores. I love to swing dance and dress up in period clothing. I also enjoy scuba diving, reading, riding my bike around town, traveling to distant places and hanging out with my family and friends.

Toni Towe

Co Host of Bariatric TV. I’m a 41 year old, very happily married, mother of two supposed adults. I’ve worked in the high tech telecommunications industry for the last 15 years. I had my surgery, a RYN, on July 1, 2004 with Dr. Mueller at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, Ca. Originally weighing in at 275lbs, I lost 130lbs. I had several co-morbidities which due to surgery, are now resolved. I like photography, dancing, listen to music, reading, and finding outlets for my creative always on brain.

Monica Ganz

Monica spent all of her adult life as a super morbidly obese person, until January 14, 2002 when she had an open Roux-N-Y surgical gastric bypass procedure. She has since lost 340 pounds and maintained it for over 8 years. Monica has since started and mentored to over 700 support groups throughout the world. She is the founder of www.MakeitaLifestyle.com where people can get on line help to a healthier lifestyle.

Monica is an internationally known speaker on behavioral changes that are needed to maintain long-term weight loss and to overcome obesity. Monica has truly lived the walk and talks the talk. She has inspired thousands to a better way of life. She brings her humor and perspective to her groups, which motivates her audience to continue down their successful path to health.

Dr. Matty Cook, M.D.

Dr. Matty Cook, M.D. is a practicing anesthesiologist and the Medical Director of a surgery center in the Silicon Valley. Previously, he served as the anesthesia coordinator for the Bariatric program at a large hospital. Based on his experiences teaching yoga to bariatric patients,"Dr. Matty,"as he is known, developed Bariatric Yoga as an adjunct to other modalities for the baritatric journey. As a co-founder of Medicine Yoga, Dr. Matty is committed to working with the bariatric community to bring this powerful healing practice to patients all over the world. Dr. Matty is a gifted as well as skillfulmedical practitioner who has developed a specialized program developed for the bariatric patient. His mission as he lives it includes a healing practice, accessing all the best practices of Western and Eastern medicine including accupuncture, yoga, meditation and movement to invite a return to health for all patients. Dr.Matty's passion is providing empowerment to the patient allowing on-going optimal health.

Barbara Branaman

Barbara Branaman is the co-founder of Medicine Yoga along with Dr. Matthew Cook. She is a high tech marketing executive in the Silicon Valley with a string interest and practice in health and healing and is delighted to bring her experience with recovery of health and healing from her fascinating perspective to us in this broadcast. As a 15 year double-organ transplant recipientfor both kidney and pancreas, she feels great empathy and huge understanding with the bariatric population.  Her own journey back to health has been amazing. She says "I know for a fact that the practice of yoga has helped me more than anyone will ever know." Barbara's passion is yoga and the other eastern healing modalities along with nutrition, movement, meditation and visualization.  Through her executive skills and patient perspective she has worked to bring the the healing of Eastern medical practices to people from all walks of life and in all areas of the world. Tune in to hear what Barbara has to say.

Lynn Meinke

Innovative and thought-provoking, Lynn Meinke is a Professional Certified Coach with over thirty years experience in the human development field as a nurse, psychotherapist, life coach, instructor, researcher, writer and mentor coach. She is currently the Director of Education for The Institute for Life Coach Training and the founder of Coaching Services International, which provides coaching education and coaching services for individuals, groups and organizations.

In an earlier career as an operating room nurse, Lynn assisted on numerous gastric-bypass surgeries as this procedure was becoming established in the medical field. Subsequently, as a psychotherapist, one of Lynn’s specialty areas was working with clients with eating disorders, including obesity. As Director of a Dissociative unit, Lynn developed programs and worked with individuals who used food as a coping strategy to deal with anxiety and the effects of abuse and trauma.

Lynn is an active member of the International Coach Federation and is Chair of the Educational Steering Committee for the 2010 International Conference to be held in Fort Worth, TX in October. She is also a member of the Mental Health Advisory Board for ObesityHelp. Additionally, Lynn develops curriculum for coaching and writes and presents on topics of interest to the coaching and/or bariatric community. Her passion is to be a companion and witness to the unfolding and blossoming of each client as they discover their own unique strengths and claim their power while designing and creating the life they were truly meant to live.

Jeff Henry

Creating mybiglife.com has been a dream of mine for several years now. It is really exciting to see it get off the ground and start building steam, thanks in large part to the hard work of our exceptional development and content teams. I thank them very much for being here and being a part of rolling out this new, very different kind of bariatric portal.

My firm, BIGSHOT, an advertising and marketing agency in Kansas City MO (www.thinkbigshot.com), has been working with bariatric surgeons and patients for nearly 5 years. In that time we have learned much about WLS patients, surgeons, nurses, care givers, and the friends and family that provide support along the journey. The one common thread through all of the people that we met is real excitement and passion to help people change their lives for the better. People say that sports fans can be rabid. I have learned even the most die hard Cubbies fans don't have anything on a bandster turned WLS evangelist! I can't say that I blame them. If I had changed my life so drastically for the better, I too would want to shout it from the rooftops. We are proud to say that mybiglife.com is a place where you can do that.

Sandy Baker

Sandy Baker experienced the effects of childhood obesity from early-age dieting and exercise programs to the well meant but hurtful words of family and friends to help her lose weight. Being different from other children in size but desperate for the same acceptance and attention caused her to be sensitive to the needs of others, especially children. Sandy has studied trends in childhood obesity, behavior changes over the past years towards food and how that affects children of today. Determined to help change the obesity epidemic in our children, Sandy is committed to teaching emotional health to our young people so that they have the coping skills necessary to ward off food attachments and self criticism before it takes them down the path of obesity and low self esteem.

Sandy is a certified BSCI instructor in "Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients" and "Back On Track". She is certified in Body Assessments using the Go Wear Fit Armband for metabolic testing and is currently working on her certification as a Bariatric Life Coach. Sandy well knows the steps needed to conquer food addiction, having lost 135 pounds in 2005.

Sandy has a BA in Christian Psychology from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. Her AA degree is in Biblical Studies and has certifications in related areas of ministry as well as twelve years counseling experience. Prior to ministry, her studies and experiences were in business and finance. Her enthusiastic and positive approach to life brings hope to those desperate for change.

Learn more about Sandy on her website at www.bariatricsupportcoach.com.

Paul S. Bradley, M.D.

Paul S. Bradley, M.D., founder of Ourlife, a HIPAA compliant, insurance-credentialed healthcare company, is a nationally known expert in chronic obesity-related diseases. He is the obesity specialist for "Ruby' on the Style network show and under his care Ruby Gettinger has lost more than 150 pounds in less than two years. He is a lead physician at Memorial Health Univeristy Medical Center in Savannah, GA with a practice in Internal Medicine. Dr. Bradley holds Bachelor of Scince degrees in history and chemistry from Tulane University and a medical doctorate from Emory University.

Anisa Grantham

Dr. Robert V. McKeen, MD, FACS

Dr. McKeen is a Board Certified General Surgeon, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. He has specialized in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery throughout his 14 years of practice and has performed over 4000 laparoscopic procedures. In 2001, Dr, McKeen expanded his practice to include Bariatric surgery performing Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass and the LAP-BAND®. In 2003 his practice changed to specialize in Bariatric Surgery only. He is dedicated to the minimally invasive treatment of patients with a full service Bariatric Program, South Bay Bariatrics.

Will Clower

Dr. Will Clower is an award-winning neurophysiologist who spent two years as a research fellow at the Institute of Cognitive Sciences in Lyon, France.  Author of  The Fat Fallacy and The French Don’t Diet Plan: 10 Simple Steps to Stay Thin for Life, Dr. Clower is the founder of the PATH TO HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS.   Dr. Will Clower applies his knowledge of neuroscience to explain how explain how the people of the Mediterranean culture can enjoy eating REAL foods and he goes on to explain what defines REAL FOOD.  He coaches individuals and corporate clients including Westinghouse, Alcoa and Citizen Bank. The program has been taught to doctors and nurses at Vail Valley Medical Center in Colorado and to the faculty and students at Berry College in Georgia.  Dr. Clower is a radio host, public speaker healthy eating coach and a delightful personality.  Tune-in to hear Will’s message on healthy eating and learn how it just might apply to you.

Jacqueline Lueck Sneve, M.P.A.

Jackie Lueck Sneve serves Surgical Review Corporation as Vice President of Strategic Alliances.  In her role, she focuses on building relationships with insurance companies, medical device and pharmaceutical companies, employer groups, governmental agencies and various associations interested in bariatric surgery issues.  Jackie possesses over sixteen years of health care experience.  For nine years Jackie was in charge of a national transplant network for Humana Inc., a Fortune 500 health insurance company with over 6 million members.  Jackie has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Kimberlee MacVicar, CC

Kimberlee underwent Roux en-Y ("RNY") gastric bypass at Alvarado Medical Center in San Diego, CA, in March 2001. She lost 158 pounds.

Kimberlee is a certified Bariatric Support Group Leader, Success Habits and Back-on-Track Facilitator (through Bariatric Support Centers International) and is a certified Life Coach and Life Purpose & Career Coach (through the Life Purpose Institute). She is also a member of Obesity Action Coalition and the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Kimberlee founded East Bay Bariatric, an independent peer support group that has been meeting monthly since March 2001. Hundreds of people have attended this group over the past nine years. East Bay Bariatric is the largest California group on ObesityHelp.com (tenth largest in the country for OH). She runs East Bay Bariatric as a volunteer.

Since her surgery she got married and is now an at-home mom with 21-month-old Kira. She is a graduate of Mills College in Oakland, CA.

5 things you want people to know about the importance of support:

1. Keeps you from feeling isolated like you are the only one that has had WLS
2. Confirms that the issues or feelings you might be going through are not unique (i.e., relationship struggles, regain, certain vitamin deficiencies)
3. Sharing Magic Moments to recognize the great lifestyle enhancements that are happening all around as the weight goes away (i.e., folding arms, finding your collarbone, no seatbelt extender, buying a size of clothing without the letter "X" in the size)
4. Groups help with the maintenance part of the weight loss journey
5. Bonding with others that have traveled down the same obesity and WLS road as you.

Paula Kosseff

Bariatric Surgery is for life. Where do post op patients go when their medical program is no longer meeting their needs. The WLS Veterans Support group is an independent support group designed to meet the needs of the long term post op patient. Being a 10 year veteran of an open RNY, I am familiar with the journey. I help my group keep up with changes in medical protocol, motivation, dealing with roadblocks and potholes on the road called life. We share our successes and our stumbles, feeling secure with the understanding of our group. Staying connected is the key to long term success!

Jackie Thodos

Jackie Thodos is a Gastric bypass post-op, Certified Support Group Leader and co-founder of Obesity Freedom. Since her surgery in 2006, Jackie has been very committed to the bariatric community, and helps people succeed everyday through Bariatric coaching and guidance. She also co-founded and co-manages a successful support group in Fredericksburg, VA with fellow Gastric Bypass post-op Sue Baker. The support group has been inspirational to both those who attend and to Jackie and Sue who run it. making a difference in people’s life is what drives Jackie.

Jackie and Sue also co-founded the company Obesity Freedom almost 4 years ago. Through that company many events and health seminars have been hosted on the East Coast. Obesity Freedom is supported by both local Weight Loss Surgeons and local Plastic Surgeons and Jackie often speaks at local hospitals and potential patients on their behalf.

As a Motivational speaker, Certified Back on Track facilitator and Life Coach, Jackie has inspired audiences large and small on transforming their lives through weight loss surgery. Jackie combines her true passion for coaching fellow weight loss surgery patients with years of event organization and staff development. Her latest book, Idle Hands = Active Mouth: A Grazer's Journey to Weight Loss Success, will be available in Autumn 2010. For more information on Jackie, visit www.obesityfreedom.com. Or call her at 540.548.8012.

Jeff Curtiss

Dr. Jeffery S. Curtiss possesses extensive experience in executive coaching, leadership assessment and development, and organization behavior, gained through years of study and employment in corporate America.

Through a series of life changing events in 2009, he re-focused his life's mission and career in order to provide education, coaching support and research in the area of obesity and eating disorders.

Dr. Curtiss is currently writing his memoir The Miracle Man chronicling his life's journey as an individual struggling with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and obesity. 

Jeff and his wife Annette reside in Atlanta, Georgia, and are active in charitable organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Regent University. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys playing piano, vocalizing, studying the French language and attending cultural and sporting events. They have three adoring and permanent four-legged guests in their home: Ciel, Miss Ellie and Mr. Reuben.

Sue Baker

Sue is the other talented half of the start-up team of the Obesity Freedom Support Group in Fredericksburg, VA. and partner of Obesity Freedom companies. She is not only an Obesity Help Support Group Leader, a BSCI Certified Support Group leader, a Certified Back on Track Facilitator and Bariatric Coach, but takes her coaching skills a step farther in her own company’s efforts for better health. The classes she teaches give fellow employees the information they need to lead a healthy and productive life, while making sound decisions on their future. Her back ground in public speaking and facilitating seminars in the hospitality and newspaper industries has been very helpful in leading her down this wonderful path to help others gain back their respect and self esteem, which they so deserve. Her self-help book “Do it Today”, charting the experience of procrastination, is scheduled for publication in November, 2010.