OH2018 Recap, Making the Journey Together!

November 9, 2018

The 2018 ObesityHelp National Conference was full of celebrations, friendships, education, support, and fun for the entire two days. A big shout out to each and every one of the OH2018 attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and exhibitors. Due to the participation of everyone coming together, the 2018 ObesityHelp National Conference was very special. The good vibes from the Conference reinforced that everyone is making the journey together!

2018 ObesityHelp National Conference Recap

"It’s exciting to see every year there are increasing numbers of attendees that feel supported and know they can be themselves without being self-conscious at the ObesityHelp Conferences. As a result, they are able to have a great, fulfilling experience. I am thankful to be a part of it all."
~ Kim Gyurina, Event Manager

OH2018 Red Carpet and After Party

After the Fashion Show, attendees walked down the Red Carpet to the After Party. To see everyone walk down the Red Carpet and pose for photos that captured their Red Carpet experience was very special. It was a time for attendees to celebrate the transformations they've achieved and be together as a community. The OH2018 Red Carpet was more inspirational than a Hollywood Red Carpet event!

At the After Party, the celebrations kicked into high gear. The excitement and energy of attendees filled the room as attendees danced and hung out together. As you'll see from the OH2018 Red Carpet and After Party photos, it was a jam-packed celebration that no one wanted to end.

Platinum Sponsor, Premier Protein Drinks and Giveaway Prize

Huge thanks go to Platinum Sponsor, Premier Protein, for sponsoring the Red Carpet and After Party, the amazing giveaway bundle prize, and the Mocktail Protein Drinks. With your support, the Red Carpet and After Party was a huge hit with everyone.

An exciting giveaway was provided by Platinum Sponsor, Premier Protein®. The giveaway prize was a Premier Protein branded NutriBullet, tote, backpack, meal prep bag and kit, 4 bottles of Premier Protein Clear® Protein Drink in each flavor of Tropical Punch, Orange Mango, and Raspberry, a 4-pack of both Peaches and Cream, and Cookies and Cream flavored Ready To Drink Shakes, a 2-pound of both the Premier Protein Vanilla 100% Whey Protein Powder and Premier Protein Chocolate 100% Whey Protein Powder, with an estimated value of $350! By random drawing, the lucky winner of the Premier Protein giveaway was Cynthia.

With all of the dancing and mingling going on at the After Party, attendees were able to quench their thirst with free mocktails made with Premier Protein Clear® Drinks. On the Mocktail menu were the Premier Protein Tropical Coolers and Premier Protein Refreshing Orange Mango Tea. You can make these delightful protein drinks quick and easy:

Premier Protein Tropical Cooler: This tropical drink was mixed up using the Premier Protein Clear Tropical Punch Drink and a sugar-free sparkling lime flavored water.
Premier Protein Refreshing Orange Mango Tea: This thirst-quenching drink was made using Premier Protein Clear Orange Mango Drink with a splash of unsweetened tea.

OH2018 Conference Goal Wall

The Goal Wall has become a tradition at the ObesityHelp National Conferences since it began with the OH2016 Conference. The first year, it was an instant hit! Attendees wrote down a goal they wanted to accomplish and returned in 2017 to update the Goal Wall by taking a photo of themselves and their goal to celebrate their success. Check out the goals set during OH2018!

OH2018 Conference Recap of Friday and Saturday

The 2018 ObesityHelp National Conference was filled with so much fun, celebration, friendships, education, support, non-scale victories, inspiration, and cherished memories that will be remembered for a very long time. Our thanks to Diana Vogel, MS, LMFT as the Emcee of OH2018. We’d like to give a big shout-out to Pixel Photo Booth for the incredible photos that captured the great times during both days.

FRIDAY SESSIONS: Friday was an amazing day that began with Bec's "Rise 'n Shine" Yoga session; followed up with sessions that included bariatric patients that generously opened up to share personal insights of their own bariatric surgery journey; bariatric surgeon, Dr. Podkameni discussed bariatric surgery stomachs; allied bariatric health professionals and professionals provided overall well-being information. We put together a Q&A panel featuring four plastic surgeons that are experts in body contouring after bariatric surgery. Attendees of this session were able to find out information they needed to know about excess skin after a massive weight loss. The line-up of the Friday sessions and speakers were:

Kate Nash: Cut the Crap: Keeping it Real After WLS
Scott Radcliff: Transforming From Within: Reflection, Recalibration, Refocus
Laura Andromalos, MS, RD, CD, CDE: To Keto or Not to Keto: A Dietitian’s Perspective
Samantha Stavola, RDN, LDN: The Importance of Taking Vitamins After WLS & The Dangers of Non-Compliance
Heidi Daniel, RN, MSN, PHN, CBN: Utilizing Your Support System for Accountability & Long-Term Success
Ash Krupnik, Personal Stylist: Bariatric Surgery Transformations: Dressing the Body You’re In Now
David Podkameni, MD, FACS: Bariatric Surgery Stomachs: Facts on Stretching & Size
Q&A Panel with Plastic Surgeons: Dr. Domanskis, Dr. Lazos, Dr. Schwartz, and Dr. Umansky:
Uncovering You: Plastic Surgery After WLS

Friday wrapped up with the OH2018 Meet & Greet Costume Party which was a fantastic ending to the first day of the Conference!

SATURDAY FIRESIDE CHAT: Due to an overwhelming number of requests from bariatric patients for education and support about weight regain, the Fireside Chat was done differently this year and focused on weight regain after bariatric surgery. This year's Fireside Chat, "Defusing Regain Triggers After Bariatric Surgery!" featured mental health professionals that are experts in the area of the mental and emotional aspects of bariatric surgery; Carol Adkisson, LMFT, MFC; Kristin Lloyd, MS, LPC/LMHC, Ph.D.(c); and, Dr. Steven Reyes, EdD. With Diana Vogel facilitating, the mental health professionals discussed weight regain in-depth as a Q&A Panel where attendees got to ask questions about weight regain.

It was a powerful Fireside Chat with education, support, tears, laughs, and lots of applause. Attendees have shared with us they took away information they never knew before and are more prepared to deal with weight regain after attending this Fireside Chat.

SATURDAY SESSIONS: Saturday started off with energy that was through the roof with Gina's "Rock-Out With Pound" class. The sessions focused on weight regain, the mental and emotional components of bariatric surgery, meal prep, relationships, and a Grad Panel with long-term successful bariatric surgery post-ops. Session speakers provided valuable education with a mix of topics that had something for everyone. A delicious lunch was provided for all attendees by Bariatric Nutrition. The Saturday sessions and speakers were:

Rae Brooks, MSN, Ph.D., RN: Bariatric Surgery Regain & Long-Term Weight Loss: What the Research is Showing
Sheryl Spaulding: WLS is Not A Quick Fix: New Realities and New Discoveries After Weight Loss Surgery
Kyle Brown, BA, CCN: Redefining WLS Success: Your Journey to Overall Health & Wellness
Colleen Long, PsyD: Emotional & Mindless Eating: Breaking the Cycle After Bariatric Surgery
Kristin Willard, RDN, CSG, CLT: Tips & Tricks for Meal Prepping After Bariatric Surgery
Angela Taylor, LCSW: Sneaky Villains: Restriction and Perfectionism
Melissa Bailey, PsyD: Sabotaging Your Journey: Managing Your Relationships Before & After Surgery
Cathy Jones, David Kern, Frances Winslow: Grad Panel - Post-Op Life, Lifestyle Changes, & Pitfalls to Avoid

Plastic Surgery Consultations (Free to OH2018 Attendees!)

For attendees that were interested in having plastic surgery, a great way to have a consultation was to have a free one at OH2018.

Four plastic surgeons that are experts in body contouring and reconstructive plastic surgery were able to address excess skin after massive weight loss, and provided a total of 165 private consultations during the two days of the Conference!

Big thanks to these exceptional plastic surgeons for consulting with attendees to discuss their plastic surgery goals:

Dr. Edward Domanskis, Body Contouring International
Dr. Omar Lazos, A Lighter Me
Dr. Jaime S. Schwartz, Beverly Hills Breast and Body Institute
Dr. Jeffrey Umansky, Umansky Medical Center for Plastic Surgery

OH2018 Volunteers

It takes a huge team of very special people that volunteer their time and energy to the ObesityHelp National Conferences. Our heartfelt appreciation to you and all you did to make the OH2018 Conference wonderful!

Registration: James Habourn and Kevin Stephens
Room Manager: Yelena Kibasova
Overall Support: Dave Gyurina, Kristin Stevens, Kelli Gyurina
Audio/Visual: Ray Stevens
Costume Party: Nate Stevens; Alex Stevens; Kelli, Marc, Scott, and Julie Gyurina; and, Diane Maricic
Premier Protein Mocktail Mixers: Kristin Stevens and Kelli Gyurina
Gift Basket Preparation: Diane Maricic
Clothing Exchange: Kathy Mitchell, Kathryn Albright, Kathy Black, Linda Wingard, Colleen Newhouse, Robin Phillips, Marilyn Castillo, Michelle Jimenez, Sandra Mata, Blanca Preciado, Karen Beck, Kelli Miller-Freeman, Veronica Rabanal, Kate Avena, Robert Sanchez, John and Carol Macias, Amber Navaro, Roshan Morgan, and Bernice Tilson

OH2018 Giveaways (Lots of Prizes Galore!)

Giveaways and contests are always a favorite of the ObesityHelp National Conferences and OH2018 was absolutely full of amazing prizes. Attendees had a blast playing interactive games, participating in the giveaways and contests, and winning prizes!

The prizes were generously provided by many vendors and companies that support the bariatric surgery community. Our deep appreciation to all of them:

Bariatric Advantage	Fit For Me	Organifi	ProCare
Bariatric Nutrition	Kettle Fire	Outer Aisle Gourmet	Premier Protein
Carol Atkinson	Labrada Nutrition	PatchMD	Quest Nutrition
Devotion Nutrition	Livliga	Pharmics, Inc.	Umansky Plastic Surgery
Fit365	OSTRIM	Primal Kitchen	WLS Success

The prizes were gift certificates for cash and services, bundles of vitamins, books, protein foods and drinks, portion dishes, meal prep bag, healthy food items, and bracelets.

On top of all of those fabulous prizes, there were other prizes given out such as gift certificates in the amounts of $1,000 and $700 for plastic surgery services from Dr. Umansky of Umansky Medical Center for Plastic Surgery, a 6-month supply of MultiVitamin patches from PatchMD, an overflowing gift basket of vitamins and products from Bariatric Advantage, a big Bundle Pack from Celebrate Nutritional Supplements, and a Google Home Mini from Pharmics, Inc.

OH2018 Swag Bags

The Swag Bags at ObesityHelp National Conferences are always a favorite of attendees. From the generosity of these fantastic vendors, we had a sea of blue swag bags that attendees received. Of course, the Swag Bags are fun but they also allow attendees to check out products to use for their own bariatric surgery journey.

A Lighter Me	Detour Protein Bars	Mexicali Bariatric Center	ProCare Health
Bariatric Advantage	Devotion Nutrition	Millie's Savory Teas	Quest Nutrition
BariMelts	Enlightened	Organifi	Rational Foods
Beverly Hills Breast and Body Institute	Kay’s Naturals	ParmCrisps	SI03, Inc. - Syntrax
BiPro USA	Labrada Nutrition	Pharmics, Inc.	Torani Sugar-Free Syrups
Chike Nutrition	Legendary Foods, LLC	Premier Protein	Unjury Protein
ClickCo, LLC	LonoLife Bone Broths	Primal Kitchen	The Vitamin Shoppe

Exhibitors at OH2018

Big thanks to each of these terrific vendors and companies that exhibited at OH2018. It is a welcome opportunity that attendees appreciate to be able to learn about products and to be able to talk with the representatives.

A Lighter Me	Celebrate Nutritional Supplements	Livliga Home	Ostrim	Premier Protein
Bariatric Advantage	Devotion Nutrition	Legendary Foods, LLC	Outer Aisle Gourmet	ProCare Health
Bariatric Mindset	Fit365	L-Nutra ProLon	The Parthenon Company	Slimpressions
BariMelts	Fit for Me, LLC	Mexicali Bariatric Center	PatchMD	United Medical Credit
Carol Rose Adkisson, LMFT	Labrada Nutrition	Organifi	Pharmics, Inc.	WLS Success Matters

Dr. Edward Domanskis,
Body Contouring International

Dr. Jaime Schwartz,
Beverly Hills Breast and Body Institute

Dr. Jeffrey Umansky,
Umansky Medical Center for Plastic Surgery

Dr. J. Timothy Katzen,
Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

“I can’t say enough great things about this conference! I was touched by the number of attendees that support each other! All of the events were well planned, and they were a BLAST! We were having so much fun that I forgot we were “working”. We are looking forward to next year’s conference!” ~ Sarina Blanco, Labrada Nutrition

“We had a wonderful time at OH2018. We were thrilled with not only the feedback about our products but how friendly, helpful, and inspirational all the attendees were. We plan on being a regular at the OH Conferences. Thank you so much for putting on such a great event! Devotion Nutrition will be a regular vendor.“ ~ Gina Aliotti, Co-Founder of Devotion Nutrition

“Livliga attended an OH Conference for the first time this year. We were impressed with the great group of people that attended. We were wowed by their interest and how Livliga could support them in their pursuit of living life as their healthiest selves. Truthfully this has been our best conference. We look forward to attending again!” ~ Sheila Kemper Dietrich, Founder and CEO of Livliga

"The Umansky Team had an amazing experience at the OH 2018 conference. We are very grateful to be a part of this event. The opportunity to be a part of a patient’s journey of transformation toward the healthiest version of themselves is an honor. The OH community is incredibly warm, receptive, and full of inspiring journeys. ~ Dr. Umansky

Sponsors of OH2018

To the sponsors of the 2018 ObesityHelp National Conference, we appreciate your generous support and participation in the Conference. You make a huge difference and we thank you for partnering with us as we make the journey together in the fight against obesity.

Platinum Sponsors: Premier Protein and A Lighter Me
Silver Sponsors: L-Nutra ProLon and PatchMD
Support Sponsors: Mexicali Bariatric Center, BariMelts, Labrada, and Fit for Me, LLC