Testimonial Category: Professional Recommendations

I knew everything about the surgery, right? WRONG!!

Patricia Jarrell, Charleston, SC
RNC, Clinical Manager, Roper St. Francis Bariatric and Metabolic Services

I was hesitant to attend Katie’s workshop. I had my surgery 8 years ago. I am a bariatric surgery coordinator. Katie gave practical, insightful advice in a humorous, enjoyable manner. I left feeling enlightened and renewed.

I endorse her as one of the most accomplished professionals I have known

David Krueger
MD

Katie Jay offers unique information and services in the WLS field. I endorse her as one of the most accomplished professionals I have known. Her continuing contributions will benefit deserving individuals around the world. I also highly recommend Katie's book, Dying to Change: My Really Heavy Life Story, which is brilliant and groundbreaking.

My patients love Katie Jay

David Voellinger
MD, FACS

My patients love Katie Jay. Her information is unique and top-notch in quality; plus, she encourages patient compliance in an especially sensitive and thought-provoking manner that keeps patients from getting resistant or defensive.

Katie Jay has taught our bariatric nurses

Lin Hanley
LCSW, Bariatric Social Worker

Katie Jay has taught our bariatric nurses how to approach patients with a depth of sensitivity and understanding I have not seen before.

Katie understands the unique experiences and needs of the bariatric population on a very deep level

Kelly Broadwater
MA, LPA, LPC, NCC

Katie Jay is an invaluable resource for any weight loss surgery patient. She understands the unique experiences and needs of the bariatric population on a very deep level. Her materials go beyond the lifestyle changes that are necessary, also focusing on the psychological changes that are essential for true and lasting success. The WLS Stages of Transformation Katie developed perfectly captures the journey of the weight loss surgery patient. Relatable, compassionate, and extremely knowledgeable, Katie Jay will be an asset to your post-operative program.

Katie is knowledgeable on technical as well as emotional issues

J. Paul Shirley, Greenville, SC
LMSW

I recently had the privilege of attending one of Katie Jay's workshops in Charlotte, NC. Her comfortable and relaxed style seemed especially well suited towards presenting information that was very well thought out, but which can also potentially have deep emotional impact on her listeners.

Katie is knowledgeable on both technical issues, such as advanced nutrition concepts, and the complex emotional issues that tend to accompany problems of obesity.

She is among the very best speakers I have ever heard, especially in being generous with a wealth of information plus leaving the listener with a genuine warm fuzzy feeling that follows you all the way home.

Her sensitivity is remarkable, without being sentimental. Her scientific grounding is impressive. She has the magic triad of a calling, a passion, and thorough knowledge of her subject matter. I consider Katie to be among those rare gifted individuals who is not just a helper, but a healer.

Katie Jay is a visionary

Annessa Chumbley
RD, Creator and Owner
Flourish! Nutrition Inspiration

Katie Jay is a visionary, who is leading the charge to raise awareness and elevate the conversation about how to create reliable WLS success and better long-term outcomes.

As a professional, I was thrilled that our surgeons also had the opportunity to learn more about the emotional and psychological aspects of the disease of obesity

Shelly Holman
RN, CBN

Dear Katie,

I would like to thank you sincerely from my heart for being our very special guest at “Overcome the Past, Transform Your Future!” It is such a wonderful opportunity to bring weight loss surgery patients together to celebrate, reflect, and learn about successes and struggles we encounter in our journey towards health improvement. Sharing your personal experience, strength, and hope touched many that attended the 3rd annual reunion.

Your presentation called “Do You Have a Fat Personality” was awesome. Personally, for me it affirmed that the journey is full of ups and downs as I adopt new behaviors and learn about how my mind and emotions can promote success or sabotage.

As a professional, I was thrilled that our surgeons also had the opportunity to learn more about the emotional and psychological aspects of the disease of obesity. Often, they understand the mechanics of the surgical procedure but lack the insight into the struggle in the mind that most of us experience. As a professional and a patient, we are obligated to share our challenges so that they may have a stronger understanding of our journey.

As I reviewed the participant evaluations, I wanted to share some of the comments that were shared.

  1. “The Stages of Healing really spoke to me. It helped me to see what stage I am currently going through and the stage I want to be at.”
  2. “I appreciated the fact that the hospital sponsored Katie as the keynote speaker at our reunion. It was a tough-love presentation filled with love and understanding for what we go through after WLS.”
  3. “Katie Jay knows what life after WLS is like because she lives the same journey that I do.”
  4. “I get up, fall down, get up, fall down, get up, fall down, and get up! I loved that because I am not a failure even though I still struggle in my recovery.”

I just finished listening to one of your “Train to Maintain” CDs as I was writing this letter. The big take away for was me was, “Motivation is a choice and a decision – taking action is the key.” I am going to embrace this statement and not wait for the feeling of motivation to hit me! I will choose to be motivated and take action towards my health this day.

I do hope that you come back and spend time with our program again. We would love to have you! We were serious about you becoming a Nebraska Cornhusker!

My Best,

Our patients continually love meeting you and thoroughly enjoy each presentation you give

Meredith Wawner, Wilmington, NC
Bariatric Surgery Physician’s Assistant

Dear Katie,

Thank you for coming to speak to our patients at two support group meetings and counting. I trust that your third visit to our office is in the works.

Our patients continually love meeting you and thoroughly enjoy each presentation you give. Your talks are informative, timely, thoughtful, as well as inspirational. I believe your MSW allows you to speak with authority, yet our patients are quick to add how approachable and down-to-earth you are.

I appreciate your message of hope and perseverance. As a bariatric patient yourself, you are truly a speaker who ‘walks the walk.’ Thank you for offering a path to long-term recovery. Our patients identify with you and are encouraged by the example you have set.

Katie, you also have a great sense of humor! Your in-depth talks are always as funny as they are informative. It’s been a pleasure working with you and getting to know you. I hope you are coming back very soon!

Affectionately,

Katie was a pleasure to work with. She was very accommodating to our educational needs.

Debra Proulx
Bariatric Manager, RN, BHS, MBA

In June 2009 our hospital, Southeast Georgia Health System, invited Katie Jay to present an all-day workshop for our weight loss surgery patients. The patients loved it!

They learned additional skills that will assist them with their long-term success. They laughed, they ‘played,’ they shared, and most of all, they ‘connected’ with Katie. I cannot say enough positive things about our time with her.

From a coordinator's perspective, Katie was a pleasure to work with. She was very accommodating to our educational needs by developing the exact program I requested. She was very professional and knowledgeable about her presentation topics. I look forward to working again with Katie.