Testimonials

If you would like to submit a testimonial, please use this form.

Personal Comments:
I am going to have a lap band installed so that my Granny Smith’s apple figure can go back to the sexy asparagus I used to be. I am 55 years young......or at least that's how I used to feel, but lately when I look in a mirror, an old fat woman has started looking back!!! I have no idea who she is or where she came from.

I am 5'7" and weigh 230lbs (no one knows these horrendous facts!)
Up until a literally a couple of years ago, I was quite a good looking lady......very little makeup....business casual dress style.....I could definitely turn a middle-aged head!
My long-suffering husband (tall, slim and attractive) has tried everything to help me lose weight...trouble is that I have yo-yo dieted my way into the metabolic morass where you can literally live on very few calories...and the rest are stored away for a rainy day!!

Personally I think of myself as a higher life form because, if there was a world wide famine.......I could survive for years! However as 50 is the new 40 (so I'm told), I am willing to give up my "higher life form" status to be able to buy cute clothes designed by someone other than Omar the tentmaker!

So here I am, waiting to get to the appointment that will change the rest of my life. I have read everything I can get my hands on about the surgery, the post op diet, the long term effects.........and most important....the weight loss expectations. I am positive, determined, excited and I cannot wait until I can get the surgery over and the journey begun.

Thank you to all those who have taken the time to write a testimonial...you have helped tremendously.

Regards,
Jane

Comments About Northwest Weight Loss Surgery:
Unlike several other Bariatric Surgery Centers I called, there was actually someone pleasant on the end of the phone, who demonstrated a friendly interest and a knowledge of the process.

I love the quality of the staff I have interacted with so far!

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Personal Comments:
I would be happy to write to you about my decision. I don’t know if you went to a NWWLS seminar … but, I did, and I chose them over the other 2 options I was checking into in the Seattle area. All I can tell you is that NWWLS only does the band. That is important, because all of the other people will tell you they have received bypass instructions – because the other Seattle based docs believe mainly in bypass. NWWLS has the most complete after-care program that I found. The 1st year of fills are free – as many, and as often as YOU need. You can get extra fills every 2 weeks, if needed. They will do it under fluoro if you suspect a problem. If you have complications – flipped port, slipped band, etc – they will repair it for free.
I had a tilted port. When I went in for the corrective surgery, I thought I would be treated like a 2nd class citizen … you know, they already had my money and now I was a “problem customer” that needed to be helped… kind of like when you buy a car and then come back and the salesman wants nothing to do with you. I can tell you that I was treated like royalty – just like the day of my surgery. I rec’d the exact same treatment and respect I was given as a “paying customer.” When I need fills, they are very accommodating – I have to drive 4 hours to get there… and when I needed an emergency un-fill, they worked me in around when I could get there, not when it was necessarily convenient to them.

They have many Eastern WA patients, so they responded to the need of more local fills by sending a nurse to Yakima 2 Fridays every month for fills … so now I just drive 1 hour instead of 4.

I can also tell you that another doctor opened an office in Tri Cities … my dad owns a local business, so he receives a newsletter for businesses. When he came to town, they interviewed him for this newsletter – and he went on and on about how the lap-band is really a “2nd class” surgery to bypass and that lap-band patients could not be as successful as bypass patients. It really was a negative article about lap-bands – and yet how does he advertise?? As a “lap-band doctor.” I’m sorry, but I don’t trust people like that. I also know people from support group who have gone to him, and he wants them on bypass type diet (lots of liquid protein) and diet pills… well, I didn’t get the band to be put on diet pills. So, if you’re considering him, remember that the “face” he presents may not be the “true face.”

I do not work for NWWLS… I don’t gain anything by recommending them… but when someone asks, I have to speak up because I believe so strongly in their ability, experience, compassion, and care. I have never met a surgeon more personable, professional, caring, and experienced than Dr. Watkins. They truly believe in the band, and it shows by their extraordinary aftercare program. Even if I could have had the surgery done for ½ cost elsewhere – and there are cheaper options than NWWLS – I wouldn’t have done it. I am 100% satisfied with my entire experience with NWWLS and I will recommend them over any other doctor in the NW.

I hope this helps… if you haven’t met with them or been to one of their seminars, make an appointment – really… you WILL NOT regret it.

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Personal Comments:
Well I had my band on Aug 1st and had a good two weeks of liquid and then to soft food it went great until solid food week then my hunger came back with it my first fill will be on Sept 12th and I am looking forward to feeling less of the need to eat and when I do get full on a little food

I have lost weight and am looking forward to loosing a lot more.

Comments About Northwest Weight Loss Surgery:
great people was in and out in four hours and back to work in construction in 4 days

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Personal Comments:
I have to say, this is the best thing I have ever done! I have been overweight since I was 3 years old and when I turned 40 it was the final straw... could not handle my knees hurting, my ankles hurting, snoring, tired all the time, high blood pressure and borderline diabetic. I went to a seminar the first week of February 2006 and on Valentines Day (February 14th 2006) Dr. Montgomery was my Valentines Day Date...
It is now September 2006 just 7 months post op, and I have lost 85 pounds and feel fantastic! I am leaving for Hawaii to get married on the beach next month and plan to wear shorts and a swimsuit! No ankle pain, no high blood pressure medication anymore, no threat of Diabetes and no more snoring!

Comments About Northwest Weight Loss Surgery:
Thanks to the awesome staff, great doctors and wonderful support groups, I am a true salesperson for the Lap-band!!! Thank you so much for saving my life and caring so much about everyone as an individual, not just another patient! You can see in the doctors and staffs eyes when they meet you, and then they see your weight loss that they really love what they do and it truly matters to them how you are doing... and most of all, Thank you Jessie, for listening to all our questions when we first start out, over & over again.... and you somehow never get tired of it.

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Personal Comments:
Talk about being treated like royalty!! I was banded on 9-20-06. I have never in my life been treated so well. I love the fact that my nurse had her band done 4 months before me and she was so willing to share every moment with me. I was coming out of anesthesia and was patting her arm and her face and telling her how much she helped me. (My MOM finds this quite amusing) I always seem to have a funny story when I come out of anesthesia. I lost 16 pounds before my surgery. It was the hardest part, but it was worth it. It really showed me what kind of self control I would need to have after being banded.

One more thing, don't forget, when they tell you to walk, they mean it! It helps tremendously!

Comments About Northwest Weight Loss Surgery:
The best surgical experience of my life. I was called by the nurse the next day to make sure I was doing well. Dr. Michaelson called me personally to make sure I was doing well after 2 days. WOW! What an experience. I love the facility. The information you receive is priceless. I can't believe how much there is to know and how much more you will need to learn. I can't wait to see what my post-op weight is and to go to my first group. I am so happy!!

Thank you so much to all of the doctors and staff at NWWLS.

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Personal Comments:
I have worked with NWWLS since they started doing Lap-Bands in Kirkland. In fact, I work at Evergreen Surgical Center where they performed most of the first 1000 cases they did.

I have found the whole office to be very dedicated and compassionate about helping their patients. I always swore I would never have any type of bariatric surgery, thought I would never need it, but my how things change. I found out I could take a loan out against my retirement so I did it!!!

I had my lap band done on August 23rd with Dr. Watkins and have lost 11 pounds so far. I am scheduled for my first fill on October 4th. I had my surgery at their center in Everett instead of at ESC for privacy reasons and found the place wonderful. The staff is great and treated myself and my sister wonderful. I have worked with the three anesthesiologists who work with them for 15 years and have never found better or more dedicated doctors than those three. I highly recommend NWWLS and the anesthesia group to anyone. I trust them all completely.

If you are considering Lap Band, please attend one of their seminars or just go up to their office for a visit and check it out for yourself.

I was even a day late for my first post-op appointment and they were great about it. They make you feel at home and are great!!!

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Personal Comments: These testimonials are great! I have been struggling with my weight since i was a born :( I am only 19 years old, but I feel like I could be in my 50's. I'm 5'6, 308lbs, and have done everything, and I do mean everything, to loose weight. at first it was just me wanting to be cute with all of my skinny friends. Now, I need not only to feel healthy, but to be healthy. I love to exercise and be active, but when it is painful (and not the pain that it should be), it is so hard. Needless to say, since seeing Carnie Wilson advertise her gastric bypass, the idea of weight loss surgery has been dwelling in the back of my mind. If eating healthy, exercising, diet pills, "miracle" drinks, and even 4 days a week for 6 months straight with a personal trainer wont help me loose a pound, maybe this surgery will. Maybe I will finally be able to exercise with out joint pain... what a thought... I am attending a seminar on the 12th of October, so wish me luck in making the best decision possible to have a healthier, happier, thinner future!!!

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Personal Comments:
Wow! What a difference a few days make. I got banded September 26th and I already feel better than I have in a long time. I am not craving everything in site and I am not over-eating. I am still healing from the surgery but overall I am extremely happy about the outcome.

Comments About Northwest Weight Loss Surgery:
The staff overall has been exceptional and invaluable. They make you feel extremely comfortable and relaxed. Kudos to NWWLS!

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Personal Comments:
I had my lap band placed by Dr Michaelson on 9/28/06. What a great experience! I was home in a few hours. Walking the dog that afternoon and never even had to take the pain medications! I could have gone back to work (desk job) the next day.

Comments About Northwest Weight Loss Surgery:
It is like going to a spa! Everyone is so nice and not rushing around like most doctors' offices or surgery centers. There are water falls, soothing music, plush bathrobes.
What an incredible experience. I would recommend it to anyone.

They treat you with dignity & respect which is something people of size don't always get. :)

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Personal Comments:
Having the lap band procedure has really changed my life. A year ago, I was sitting on the side lines watching life go by. I wanted to ride the rides with my kids, go biking and live life to the fullest. A year later and I am ecstatic to say I finished a triathlon, have went on rides with my kids and am enjoying a healthier more active lifestyle. I still have a ways to go to reach my goal but know with each 20 pounds life quality only gets better. I started my journey at 326 and am now it 249. Thank you Dr. Watkins and all the staff at NWWLS for being so supportive and absolutely amazing!!

Comments About Northwest Weight Loss Surgery:
Talk about your own cheerleading staff, wow! Dr. Watkins really believes in his patients and knows they can have great success. He has such a positive enthusiastic demeanor. He and his staff really care about the patients from your first appt. to through every follow-up.

Thank you Dr. Watkins and all the staff at NWWLS for being so supportive and absolutely amazing!!

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