Seventh Annual Fashion Show Celebrates Weight Loss Success
Friday, December 18, 2009
"This was the best decision I ever made." That was a recurring theme at a fashion show before about 400 people on Dec. 10 to celebrate the weight loss success of patients of Foothills Weight Loss Specialists and the Blount Memorial Weight Management Center.
The show, in its seventh year, featured 36 models who had lost a total of 3,600 pounds with the help of Drs. Mark Colquitt and Jonathan Ray and the comprehensive support team of Foothills Weight Loss Specialists. The models were thrilled to show their former "fat clothes" and comment about how weight loss has impacted their lifestyles and health.
"I want to thank Dr. Colquitt and the team," said patient Brenda Cornwell, who has lost 109 pounds since her gastric bypass in December 2005. "They've helped so many people be happy and healthy."
Sara Trombley, who underwent the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy procedure in February 2008, agreed by saying, "They not only gave me back my life but gave me a life I didn't think possible."
In addition to the fashion show, Colquitt and Ray were presented with plaques in honor of their help improving the health and quality of life of their patients. Foothills Weight Loss Specialists has performed over 1,000 procedures since 2002 and has helped patients shed more than 75,000 total pounds.
"You have shown us that we can help change people," Ray said as he accepted his plaque. "It's all about you."
Colquitt, also the practice's medical director, pointed out that the testimonials and fashion show serve as an encouragement to other post-surgical patients and those contemplating bariatric surgery.
"The weight loss journey requires commitment and a positive attitude. Seeing other people who have succeeded can be the impetus that drives other patients to success."
Improving weight loss statistics in Tennessee is important. According to a July 2009 report by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Tennessee ranks fourth highest in the percentage of obese adults and fifth in the percentage of obese and overweight children in the U.S.
The health benefits that accompany long-term weight loss include: increased life expectancy; long-term weight loss; and resolution or improvement of obesity-related health conditions such as adult-onset diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and certain cancers.
Foothills Weight Loss Specialists offers free informational seminars. For a list of upcoming seminars or to register, visit http://www.foothillsweightloss.com or call 1-866-300-8644.
Located in Maryville, Tenn., Foothills Weight Loss Specialists offers bariatric surgery and weight loss solutions from board-certified surgeons. It has been designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Foothills Weight Loss Specialists is a division of Premier Surgical Associates and works in partnership with the Blount Memorial Weight Management Center. For more information and to read the practice's "Weighing In" blog, visit http://www.foothillsweightloss.com. For more information about Premier Surgical Associates, visit http:// www.premiersurgical.com.
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| Foothills Weight Loss Specialists patient Sara Trombley shows off her new figure at a fashion show celebrating weight loss success on Dec. 10. Trombley has lost 146 pounds since her laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy procedure in February 2008. |
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| Foothills Weight Loss Specialists patient Brenda Cornwell enjoys her turn on the catwalk at a fashion show celebrating weight loss success on Dec. 10. Cornwell has lost 109 pounds since her gastric bypass procedure in December 2005. |
Fashion Show Video