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We can also help you obtain insurance approval before surgery, and deal with the emotional and physical changes that you will experience after surgery.
 Denise Grace
Bariatric Coordinator
Denise is the person to help patients completely through the process from seminar to surgery. Being bilingual in English and Spanish makes her invaluable in this position.
Karen Wright
Registered Nurse & Dietician
As a registered health care professional and a weight loss surgery patient, Karen Wright has both the professional and personal experience to successfully serve as the registered nurse and dietician of the Gastric Band Institute, a position she took on in November 2010.
In her role as Registered Nurse and Dietician, Karen facilitates the Mind Over Eating and Nutrition 101 classes as well as support groups. She also oversees diet evaluations and performs lap band adjustments. She assures efficient and quality patient care, and addresses any patient questions or concerns. Most importantly, because she is a successful weight loss surgery patient of the Gastric Band Institute herself, she has an in-depth understanding of the entire weight loss surgery process.
Karen's background consists of a variety of medical experience. After her surgery, she developed a great interest in nutrition and fitness, in part to help herself. She received her master’s degree in public health and dietetic degree from Loma Linda University and has been a registered nurse for more than 10 years.
Karen grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to Las Vegas in 1998. Since losing 110 pounds in the first year after her gastric band surgery, Karen has gained the ability and energy to regularly work out, travel to exotic locations, go on nature hikes, and spend more quality time with her husband of 17 years and their three-year-old son, Sebastian.
 Brian is our Physician Assistant and also the Program Director. He has been with the practice almost since its inception.
Brian received his undergraduate degree from Long Beach State University in Physiology and went on to earn his Physician Assistant/Masters Degree from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. He graduated With Distinction and also received the Clinical Excellence Award for his graduating class.
Brian’s expertise is in both the operating room, where he assists both Dr. Atkinson and Dr. Soong, and in managing lap-band patients. Brian has assisted on over 2,500 bariatric surgeries.
Brian is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and serves as a preceptor for allied health members.
Brian has lived in Las Vegas for the past six years and is recently married. He and his wife share 5 children.
 
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