The Transformer
Winter 2024 Newsletter
Transform now has an ambulatory surgery center! It is located in lovely Edmonds, WA, which is twelve miles north of downtown Seattle on the Puget Sound. This project took over two years to complete and will improve the care of our surgical patients. We offer weight loss procedures, cosmetic surgery, and general surgery at Transform SurgiCenter.
Dr. Billing and Dr. Harris are two of the most experienced surgeons in the world for outpatient bariatric surgery. It was in this ambulatory surgery center that Dr. Billing did the first day-case sleeve gastrectomy in January 2008. Since then, Dr. Billing and Dr. Harris have done several thousand weight loss procedures in an ambulatory setting.
Dr. Billing speaks nationally and internationally on day-case bariatric surgery, and his protocols are being used worldwide. Furthermore, Dr. Harris developed post-bariatric ambulatory cosmetic surgery at this center, which includes breast augmentation, body lifts, and Fleur-di-lis abdominoplasty. He is a national speaker and instructor on post-bariatric cosmetic techniques.
We are excited about our exponential growth and the surgery center puts Transform as the leading weight loss center in the Pacific Northwest.
Transform is pleased to introduce Dr. Julie Brogren as the new Director of Medical Weight Loss. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Bariatric Medicine. She has been practicing in the PNW for two decades.
Why did you join Transform Weight loss?
I’ve known Dr. Billing for almost 20 years and have seen first-hand his passion for patient care and his respect for their personal journeys with weight loss. I believe Transform Weight Loss provides many options for success and I am excited to become a part of the team.
What would you like patients to know about you?
I joined Weight Watchers when I was 7 years old and have been on a lifelong journey ever since to not only try to understand how and why we gain weight, but also how to treat it. I find it tremendously rewarding to help patients achieve their weight loss goals because I understand their struggle.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Besides spending time with my husband and daughter, I love all things gardening and enjoy growing my own food. I’m always trying to learn new ways to preserve my harvest. In fact, in 2023, I completed the Master Gardener’s course!
Upcoming Events
January Community Group Event
For our January Community Group Event we will be snowshoeing in Snoqualmie. All equipment is included, and it is led by a Park Ranger of the USFS. It is a fun event that you will not want to miss.
Here are the registration details:
Access the reservation system
Winter Snowshoe Program at Snoqualmie Pass: DiscoverNW.org
-Under program select “Grand Discovery”
-Enter the number of adults
-Under “Available Seats” choose the 1/27 10:00am
-Under “Reservation Code” enter TWL2024
-Follow the rest of the instructions. There is a $20 donation for the forest service.
15 spots remaining!!!
More Events to come...
Our next virtual community group will be on Tuesday February 13th at 6:30pm -7:30pm.
Our March community group activity will be Seattle Cherry Blossom run Saturday March 23 9:00am. Join our team: TeamTransform and sign up at Seattle Cherry Blossom Run!
Looking Back on a Year of Community Group – 2023
Overcoming Obesity Conference in San Antonio
In October 2023, several Transform employees attended the Overcoming Obesity Conference through the Obesity Medicine Association in San Antonio, Texas. The conference was five packed days that brought together medical professionals from around the country. Leaders in obesity discussed new ideas and ways to treat obesity from a multidisciplinary approach. In addition, there was also a session on Culinary Medicine that taught health professionals how to organize and launch programs to teach people how to cook as a treatment for weight loss. They even held a cooking competition where teams received a hypothetical patient and had to cook a meal to address their health concerns. Overall, it was a great conference filled with new ideas and networking!
Bothell Kenmore Chamber 5K
In September 2023, Transform was a sponsor for the Bothell Kenmore Chamber 5K. It was the first 5K for many of the staff and it was a great opportunity to get out and move with 250 other people. If you are new to 5K’s, we encourage you to just do it! There’s no pressure to run so many people walk. Keep an eye out for these events and consider going!
Have you joined our Facebook Group?
Ask for access to our private Facebook Group where you can chat with other patients, learn about upcoming events, and find the personal support you are looking for!
