Weight Loss Surgery Support Team

Dana Zamot – Program Coordinator

Dana first came to Jacksonville Weight Loss Center as a patient while working in a local hospital.  She underwent LAP-BAND® surgery in July of 2006.  To date she has lost over 80 pounds and has exceeded her weight loss goals.  As a gastric band patient, Dana can speak to patients and potential patients first hand about her experiences.  Dana is available to prospective patients for free consultations about gastric banding surgery.

Dana also coordinates the practice’s educational seminars.  She served as master of ceremonies for Khaliah Ali’s Jacksonville speaking engagement about her experiences after undergoing LAP-BAND® surgery.  Dana also works closely with the other members of the team to provide advice and information regarding coverage and criteria for pre-approval under specific health benefit plans.

Sunny Hill – Registered Dietitian

Sunny R. Hill is a registered and licensed dietitian/nutritionist. She is a graduate of the University of North Florida where she obtained both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nutrition. While in graduate school, Sunny also completed her internship requirements which included a rotation with us here at Jacksonville Surgical Associates.

Sunny works with patients preparing for gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries by educating and encouraging proper nutrition that not only alone would improve a person’s general health and well-being but are guidelines that also help effectively engage the bariatric tool that is in place. Along with the rest of the allied health care team, she helps to establish a strong foundation that is essential in order to make the nutritional and behavioral changes that lead to successful weight loss pre- and post- operatively. Sunny also works with non-surgical clients to provide nutritional information and support for continued and sustained weight loss success, as well as, provides guidance to those living with Type 2 diabetes.

Jody Debord – Weight Loss Counselor

Jody has been instrumental in developing and growing Jacksonville Weight Loss Center’s program. Jody has a Bachelors in Computer Science and joined us after gaining extensive experience working for Metabolic Research as well as A New Weigh weight loss programs. Jody works closely with the physicians in the pre-operative stages and conducts the physician supervised weight loss program visits required by many insurance companies. Jody also provides support, guidance and counseling to patients at all stages of post-operative care. Finally, Jody is the clinical coordinator of our FDA adolescent Lap-Band® study and coordinates all of the patients’ visits as well as providing support and guidance to the patients and their families.

Deb Young – Exercise Specialist

Deb began her career study and working in physical therapy. She met and began body building with Mr. Virginia and realized how much she enjoyed working out and the positive emotional and physical impact it had on her. She turned this passion into a career as a Personal Trainer. Deb became a certified trainer and began developing her own unique personal training techniques. Deb has owned her own gym where she offered children’s camps and workout sessions for overweight children. Through her personal training and work with children, she met Dr. Cywes.

Sandra Valadez – Surgery Scheduler

Sandra has an in-depth understanding of the process required to obtain approval from insurance companies for gastric banding surgery.  She works closely with our patients to prepare the necessary paperwork for insurance approval and guides our patients through the pre-operative testing process for surgery.  Sandra acts as a liaison between the facility and the patient to coordinate pre-op testing and surgery scheduling to ensure that our patients’ needs and scheduling requirements are met.