Announcing #OH2016 Conference Keynote Speaker & Fireside Chat

May 11, 2016

Last Chance to Live, Life After "My 600 lb Life"

We are so excited to announce the keynote speaker and fireside chat for the upcoming ObesityHelp National Conference in Anaheim, California. Please join us as we bring together My 600 lb Life surgeon, Dr. Younan Nowzaradan and two of his patients, Amber and Melissa.

Bias, prejudice and discrimination against severely obese individuals in our society extends to our healthcare system. The quality of care for these individuals falls short, sometimes they are completely denied access to care. At the conference, you’ll learn more about Dr. Nowzaradan and why he has dedicated so much of his career to advocating for medical management for obese individuals. You'll also get an inside look into his unique experience as the surgeon that performed laprascopic weight loss surgery on the world's heaviest dad, heaviest mom, heaviest teen and all of the seasons of TLC's hit show, My 600 lb Life!

We'll also be talking with Amber and Melissa about their experiences as they filmed their My 600 lb Life segments and how life is for them today. Melissa started her journey at 673 pounds and had been denied treatment due to her size, she had surgery with Dr. Nowzaradan in 2005 and her story was featured on Season 1. Amber started her journey at 657 pounds and was told she would be dead by 30 if she didn't lose weight, she had surgery with Dr. Nowzaradan in 2014 and her story was featured on Season 3. Join us to find out how Melissa & Amber are doing today! Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions in an open Q&A setting.

Join us September 30th & October, reserve your tickets now!

	Keynote: Dr. Younan Nowzaradan Dr. Nowzaradan has dedicated much of his career to advocating quality medical management for the obese. While others were limiting weight loss surgery to those who weighed under 300-lbs, he was already performing safe laparoscopic weight loss surgery on super morbidly obese individuals who weighed in excess of 600-lbs. Dr. Nowzaradan firmly believes in the care of the obese without discrimination or prejudice. Dr. Nowzaradan has become a beacon of hope for those who have struggled with their weight. He has changed the lives of many when others weren’t willing to help them. As a doctor, he always helps to heal those that need it most. Learn more at Dr. Now’s talk, Last Chance to Live
	Fireside Chat: Amber Rachdi At 23 years old and 657 pounds, Amber Rachdi, felt trapped and hopeless. She struggled with her weight since childhood and learned to associate food with love, which created an unhealthy long-term relationship with food. She used food for distraction and to soothe feelings of anxiety. Amber got to the point where she was nearly homebound. She felt like a failure and disappointment to her family. Her doctor told her that if she didn’t lose weight, she would be dead by the time she was 30. Desperate to get help, Amber and her family moved to Texas so that she could have weight loss surgery with Dr. Nowzaradan. Learn more at Ambers’s talk, Last Chance to Live, Life after "My 600 lb. Life"
	Fireside Chat: Melissa Morris In 2005 Melissa Morris was one of the heaviest women to undergo gastric bypass surgery. At 673 pounds most doctors would not even consider operating on such a high risk patient. Like any other young woman, Melissa had simple goals. Get married, have some children, raise them, and maybe become a soccer mom. Melissa’s number one goal was to become a mother. That goal was reached in 2010 when she was blessed with her beautiful daughter. Since that first child she has added two wonderful boys to the family. Melissa believes that gastric bypass and Dr. Nowzaradan saved her life. She had to do the work, but Dr. Nowzaradan and his decision to take a risk and help the super obese people other doctors won’t touch allowed her to fulfill all of her dreams. Learn more at Melissa’s talk, Last Chance to Live, Life after "My 600 lb. Life"

Join the #OH2016 page on Facebook and start your Conference experience now! Also be sure to check out the exciting line-up of speakers for the Friday sessions and stay tuned for the announcement of the Saturday sessions.