Karen Gillman, a local author and business woman, was recently named to the Apollo Patient Advisory Board for the international company Apollo Endosurgery Inc, the owner of the LAP-BAND System.
Gillman had weight loss surgery in 2004, opting for the LAP-BAND System, and since then has shed more than 145 pounds. Her book, “It’s Never Too Late,” was written to share her battle with obesity and explain how she overcame this battle with the LAP-BAND.
“Being selected as a new Patient Advisory Board member is a great honor, personally, but what really excites me is the opportunity to represent my followers – the people I talk to every day who continue to fight the obesity battle,” Gillman said. “Apollo values my input because I have lived the Lap-Band lifestyle for eleven years and can bring along the insight of a successful before, during and after story. The Lap-Band changed my life for the better. I think together we can help a lot of people in their weight loss struggle.”
Through various social media channels Gillman provides daily encouragement and support to both prospective and actual gastric surgery patients. Her own trials and successes give her the passion, the experience and the voice to serve this community.
“We are really excited that Karen will be joining our Apollo Patient Advisory Board,” said Michael R. Oberg, senior director, marketing at Apollo Endosurgery, which acquired the LAP-BAND System in late 2013 from Allergan Inc. “The Patient Advisory Board is a very important group that provides us with some grounded strategic guidance.”
Gillman will travel to the Apollo Endosurgery location in Austin, Texas this summer to provide input on the overall Apollo Obesity Solutions for the LAP-BAND System and other related Apollo products.
“When I wrote my book, I only wanted to help others, and I’m very optimistic that serving on the Apollo Patient Advisory Board is a definite milestone towards doing just that,” Gillman said.
For more information on Karen Gillman
Gillman’s book, “It’s Never Too Late,” is available on her website www.karengillman.com. Inside, you’ll find her personal tips and tricks for post weight-loss surgery success.
For her full story, read her article in the Plant City Times & Observer.
You can follow Karen Gillman on social media at Facebook/aftertheband and Twitter/aftertheband. For more information, visit her website at www.karengillman.com.