Patient Advocates

The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana have developed a team of five, full-time experts who focus solely on acquiring insurance approval for weight loss surgery. Upon inquiry into our practice, an Advocate will be designated to address your individual preoperative needs. One of our five Advocates will walk you through the insurance maze and personally contact your insurance representative.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

Laura Boyer, R.N., C.B.N., Director of Clinical Systems

Laura has been a Registered Nurse for 24 years. She spent 18 of those years in the peri-operative hospital setting. Laura teamed with Dr. Lavin in 2001 to create the Bariatric Surgery Program for the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. She is on the consulting faculty for Ethicon Endo-Surgery and Allergan/INAMED. Laura has been a member of American Society for Bariatric Surgery since 2002 and is a presenter at their annual meeting. In June of 2006 she was elected Member at Large of the Allied Health Executive Council for ASBS.

Chris Nelson, M.N., R.N., F.N.P.- C

Chris joined the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana in January 2004. She graduated from LSU Medical Center with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1991 and a Masters of Nursing in 1998. Chris was appointed to Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society. She is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and The American Nurses Credentialing Center. Chris is a member of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners where she has served as a Regional Representative of the New Orleans chapter. She is an instrumental member of the Surgical Specialists’ practice in caring for patients pre and post surgery. She is certified in performing gastric band adjustments and serves as a preceptor. Chris is a member of ASMBS.

Deana McDonald, R.N., C.B.N., Director of Clinical Operations

Deana P. McDonald, R.N., B.S.N., C.B.N., graduated from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. She joined The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana in 2003. Prior to joining the practice, her 23 years of nursing experience included Home Health, Cardiology and Oncology. As a Certified Bariatric Nurse and Director of Clinical Operations for the Southeast Division, Deana is an integral part of the comprehensive, team approach to a patient’s weight loss success. She conducts presurgical chart reviews as well as preoperative teaching classes for patients. She also instructs patients after surgery and performs LAP-BAND adjustments. Deana is a member of American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

Bridget Boudreaux, R.N., C.B.N., Director of Clinical Operations

Bridget has been a nurse since 1996 and has worked in labor and delivery, neonatal ICU, the emergency room and the operating room. She has been involved with the weight loss surgery program in Lafayette since its inception in 2002. Bridget's personal experience as a weight loss surgery patient serves as a tremendous asset when treating the bariatric patient population. Bridget is a certified bariatric support group facilitator, a member of ASMBS and serves as Secretary to The Board of Directors of The National Association of Bariatric Nurses.