Our Team of Bariatric Surgery Professionals

Bariatric Solutions has built a reputation for providing outstanding and compassionate care. Patients from throughout the Metroplex and even from outside of Texas have traveled to our weight loss surgery center to receive treatment from our team of talented weight loss experts. Dr. Scott Stowers leads a team of multi-disciplinary professionals who specialize in the causes and complications of obesity, its treatment, and related issues. Our specialists include a bariatric nurse coordinator, registered dietitian, an exercise physiologist and multiple psychologists. We can also provide additional expertise in the areas of cardiology, pulmonary medicine (sleep apnea), and physical therapy. Anesthesiologists, our office staff, and the patient’s personal physician are also involved.

Amanda Cross, Program Director

Amanda is the director of the Bariatric Solutions program. In conjunction with Dr. Scott Stowers, Amanda helped to establish the program in September 2006. Amanda is dedicated to ensuring that patients have easy access to all the resources available that will help them be successful. She helps coordinate all aspects of the patients experience at Bariatric Solutions.

Amanda was born in Lubbock, Texas and graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Exercise Science and Nutrition Science. She has her personal training certification through the American Council on Exercise and is also a Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant. She is also a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

According to Cross, “It is very fulfilling to work with patients throughout their weight loss journey. From informational seminars to post-operative follow-ups, it is amazing how much the patients change in just a short time.”

Leisha Blaylock, Clinical Coordinator

Leisha is the Bariatric Nurse Coordinator. She has more than eight years of experience in pre-op, operating room and recovery nursing experience. She started nursing school at North Central Texas College in Gainesville, Texas where she was awarded her RN/AND degree with honors. She then went to Midwestern State University where she received her BSN and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Leisha is a member of the Association of Operating Room Nurses and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She specializes in the overall care of the surgery patient and now specializing in the care of the bariatric surgical patient.

Leisha is able to empathize with weight loss surgery patients as she has undergone the LAP-BAND® System procedure herself. The surgery has enabled her to do things that she could not or would not have been able to do before her surgery, including hiking, bike riding, rock climbing and more.

Kyle Rose, Dietitian

Kyle is a Registered/Licensed Dietitian. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Dietetics & Institutional Administration from Texas Woman’s University in 1994. Since then Kyle has worked as a Clinical Dietitian & as a Clinical Nutrition Manager at major healthcare facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. During his time as a Clinical Nutrition Manager, Kyle developed and implemented the nutrition program for bariatric surgical patients. Kyle has personally guided more than 100 patients through the nutritional changes that accompany weight loss surgery. His motivational counseling skills and his sound research & analysis skills allow Kyle to implement individualized nutritional recommendations that ensure the success of his clients.

Brianna Peterson, RD, LD, CPT

Bri is the Registered Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist for our Dallas office.　 She has a Bachelor in Business Administration from Texas State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Texas Woman’s University. 　She completed her dietetic internship in 2010 and joined Bariatric Solutions in January of 2011.　 Bri has experience providing nutrition counseling and education, teaching group exercise classes, personal training, and leading boot camps.　 On a personal level, some of her interests besides health and fitness are dancing, writing, musicals, traveling, being outdoors, live music, and of course spending time with the people she loves most.

Michael Massie, Patient Care Tech - Las Colinas

I have been an employee with our Center of Excellence facility, Wise Regional Health System, for four years now. Currently, I live in Dallas, Texas; however, I am a native to Wise County (Chico, Texas). I am one of our programs Patient Care Techs, assisting patients in our Las Colinas office. I respectfully, professionally, and caringly aide our patients from day one through our extensive program. Any and all of your pre-testing needs, you can rely on me to schedule and help you with. Like every one of us in both the Las Colinas and Decatur office, I am here for you. Anything you need, you can rest assured that I will do my best to help.

Susan Rector, Exercise Physiologist

Susan is an Exercise Physiologist at Wise Regional Health System. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and a Master’s Degree in Education and Exercise Physiology from Stephen F. Austin where she also played soccer and softball. She has worked in the heath care field for 25 years – cardiac rehab, pain management, substance abuse, work conditioning, wellness and bariatrics. She is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Susan currently is the Director of Cardiac Rehab as well as the Exercise Specialist for Bariatric Solutions where she has worked since 2006.

Colleen Smith, Radiologic Technologist

Colleen has been a licensed Radiologic Technologist for five years and a employee at Wise Regional Health Systems for over 9 years. She graduated at Weatherford College in 2006. Colleen brings to Bariatric Solutions the capability of visualizing the adjustments for Lap Band patients by using fluoroscopy. With this ability adjustments can be performed according to each individual patient. Having medical issues herself, Colleen became a Lap Band patient a few years ago and can identify with the patients and their questions.

Febie Perez, Patient Care Tech

Febie Perez has worked in the medical field for 12 years. She was born in Hereford, TX and currently resides in Bridgeport, TX. She has a passion for working with Bariatric patients. She enjoys helping patients through beginning to end. She finds it to be very rewarding to see the huge change in patients not only in their appearance but in their attitude.

Febie works in the Decatur clinic. You will see her during all pre-surgery appointments as well as during all followup appointments. Febie assists with setting up pre and post surgery screenings and set patients up with their surgery date.

Charla Edwards, Patient Coordinator

Charla represents one of the Patient Coordinators on the Bariatric team. Charla was born in Fort Worth, Texas and graduated from Grayson College with an Associate Of Applied Science Nursing Degree. She is a member of the Council fro Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation.

Charla assists in ensuring the patient feels welcome to the practice and continues to return in order to receive top quality health care. She initializes, reviews and maintains patient information appropriately in accordance with Practice Policies and Procedures. Charla also is able to empathize with weight loss patients, as she recently has undergone the Lap Band® System procedure herself. Alleviating two co-morbidity medications within 3 months post surgery.

"I love helping people take the 1st step into a healthier life with weight loss surgery."

Lillian Hurst, Financial Coordinator

Lillian is the financial specialist for Bariatric Solutions. Our patients come to us to save their lives, and unfortunately insurance companies don’t always cover weight loss procedures. Our program is designed to be a “one stop shop” we offer all the resources needed in order for them to meet their weight loss goals. For our self pay patients that is where Lillian comes in to play. She helps coordinate all financial resources available to our patients. Her main goal is to help all self pay patients finance the procedure of their choice, no matter how challenging that might be.

Lillian understands talking about your personal finances can be very uncomfortable. She has developed a program to make the patients financing process as comfortable as possible. She does not go for the car salesmen approach with our patients. Lillian has researched multiple medical financing companies and handpicked the most appropriate for our patients. With today’s economy she understands applying for a loan isn’t as easy as it once was. She has developed a program to help even our patients with credit flaws finance the procedure of their choice.

She counsels all self pay patients in our office at the time of their consultation. She sends them home with a financial folder that provides them with all the resources they will need to choose the best possible financing choice for the patient and their family.

Traci Wilkinson, Insurance Specialist

Traci has over 20 years experience in the medical field and has worked at WRHS since 2003. During your consultation she will meet with you and explain all of the requirements set by your insurance company to obtain approval for your surgery. She will assist you during the entire approval process.

Ellynn Ream, Patient Coordinator

Ellynn brings to the Bariatric Team over 30 years of Medical Management, Marketing, Trauma Care (EMT), as well as has an extensive medical background with Administrative Training Program through Providence Health Care in Colorado. Ellynn has worked for some of the top Surgeon’s in the world and is excited to have joined the outstanding Bariatric Team of Wise Regional Health Systems. Ellynn volunteered for over ten years with a volunteer Fire Department and enjoys assisting children and family in need programs. Ellynn enjoys making a difference in patient’s lives and with Bariatric Solutions feels that she can do this. Ellynn will be available to assist patient’s with their questions/concerns as well as follow up on the patient’s along the way to make sure that they receive the best possible results from their weight loss surgery.

Judy Patterson, Patient Advocate

As patient advocate Judy is responsible for answering all incoming calls and questions, scheduling consults/appointments. As a resident of Wise County for over 40 years Judy is able to provide our patient’s with home town hospitality. Judy is available to answer any questions that our patient’s might have and adds a great enthusiasm to our team.

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