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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. To reach any of them by email, simply click on their names below and send a message directly to them.
 Michele Ashley -
Practice Administrator
A medical management veteran of twenty-five years and a weight loss surgery success story, Michele Ashley has both the professional and personal experience to successfully serve as Practice Administrator of the Gastric Band Institute, a position she took on in early 2010.
In her role as Practice Administrator, Michele oversees all departments of the Gastric Band Institute, assures efficient and quality patient care, and addresses any office-related patient questions or concerns. Most importantly, because she is a successful weight loss surgery patient of the Gastric Band Institute herself, she has great understanding of the entire weight loss surgery process and the Institute.
Michele has extensive medical management experience, managing practices from one to nearly 100 physicians, implementing electronic medical records and supporting the EMR on a national level. She has also taught medical practice management at a college level.
A natural leader, you may occasionally see Michele hosting the monthly hikes sponsored by the Gastric Band Institute or spearheading the Institute’s Gastric Bypass Support Meetings.
Michele grew up in San Jose, California and moved to Las Vegas in 1979. Since losing 150 pounds in the first two years after her gastric bypass surgery, Michele has gained the ability and energy to regularly work out, travel to exotic locations, go on nature hikes, ride a bicycle and spend more time concentrating on one of her favorite hobbies, photography. She is also an avid half-marathon participant and an expert scrapbooker. She has enjoyed volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House and her personal involvement with Susan G. Komen Foundation charity events.
 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.
 Prudence Ticknor
Bariatric Dietitian/ Health & Wellness Coach
With more than ten years experience developing nutritional programs for school districts and counties, Ticknor has educated people of all ages and walks of life about how changes in behavior can positively affect our health and wellbeing.
At the Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas (GBI), Ticknor will assist patients in losing weight and implementing behavior change prior to surgery to support long-term success. As a registered dietician, she is also equipped to educate patients on the specific guidelines of nutrition and vitamin and mineral supplementation needed post surgery.
Prior to joining GBI, Ticknor was a Bariatric Dietician for Caesar’s Entertainment, where she played a key role in developing their bariatric program.
Ticknor is able to relate to individuals struggling with weight loss because she also battled obesity as a child and young adult. Therefore, Ticknor has special insight into understanding her clients’ mindset and everyday struggles. She is able to apply a balanced approach of positive psychology and nutrition expertise to each client she works with. Fascinated by the connection between mind and body, Ticknor is always stimulating her brain by continually studying the psychology of “why we do what we do” on a deeper level.
As a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), the Center for Mindful Eating and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), Ticknor is well positioned to maximize the current resources that the Gastric Band Institute currently provides to their patients.
An outdoor enthusiast, Ticknor enjoys running, bicycling and many more recreational activities. She resides in Las Vegas with her daughter, Felise.
 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.
 As a Physician Assistant, Melissa Moyer helps patients at the Gastric Band Institute of Las Vegas lose weight by monitoring and maintaining the effectiveness of their lap bands. On a daily basis, Melissa performs lap band adjustments and provides any necessary follow up care for gastric bypass patients. Since joining the Gastric Band Institute team in early 2008, she has truly enjoyed assisting weight loss surgery patients and witnessing all the positive health and life changes they expereince during and after weight loss.
A Las Vegas native, Melissa graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and received her physician assistant degree at Touro University in Las Vegas. She is also a proud member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
During her free time, she volunteers for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation. She also enjoys hiking and spending quality time with her husband and toddler son.
 
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