It's OBESITYHELP'S 10th ANNIVERSARY???  Check this out:

2008 - Los Angeles
ObesityHelp National Event

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When:

October 31, 12:00 am - November 2, 10:59 pm, 2008

Where:

Kyoto Grand Hotel
120 South Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles , CA
Hotel Website
213-629-1200
 

Lodging:

Kyoto Grand Hotel
120 South Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles,
Hotel Website
213-629-1200
   

About the area:

Discover a tranquil urban oasis in a contemporary, yet inviting ambiance at Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens, setting an elevated standard for Los Angeles hotels. Exuding simple Asian elegance, this hotel offers a unique and relaxing lodging experience.

This centrally-located downtown boutique hotel in L.A. provides easy access to freeways and is positioned in walking distance to government buildings and within 3 miles of Chinatown, Dodger Stadium, Staples Center, Fashion and Financial Districts, Los Angeles Civic Center and Los Angeles Convention Center.

Announcements:

We have negotiated a very special rate of $139 per night for guest rooms for this event. Be sure to book early, as this room block will sell out!

In addition to what is on the main schedule, there are a variety of breakout sessions featuring more information regarding bariatric and plastic surgery.

BIG NEWS:There will be drawings at this special OH celebration event for qualified registered attendees to win either a Band Surgery or a Gastric Sleeve Surgery, donated
by Dr. Alberto Aceves from Mexicali Bariatric Center. In order to be eligible, winner must be cleared medically by Dr. Aceves. Dr. Aceves will set the time frame within which the surgery must be performed. Further details to be outlined at the event.

Schedule:

General Schedule for Friday
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM	Halloween Costume Social, Presented by Dr. Dennis Hurwitz

General Schedule for Saturday
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM	Vendor Setup
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM	Registration and Time to Visit the Vendors
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM	Opening statements and introductions
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM	Dr. J. Timothy Katzen
9:55 AM - 10:40 AM	Dr. Guillermo Alvarez
10:50 AM - 11:35 AM	Debbie Wong
11:35 AM - 12:15 PM	Vendor Visits
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM	Catered Lunch/Schedule Updates
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM	Surprise Guest
2:25 PM - 3:10 PM	Ramon Lopez, WLS Post Op and Motivational Speaker
3:20 PM - 4:05 PM	Jeremy Gentles, Bariatric Fitness Expert
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM	Closing Remarks, Prize Giveaways. Break for dinner.
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM	Saturday Night Social Sponsored by Dr. Hurwitz. Details coming!

General Schedule for Sunday
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM	Vendor Set-up
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM	Registration and Vendor Visits
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM	Opening Remarks
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM	Dr. Siamak Agha, Plastic Surgeon
9:55 AM - 10:40 AM	Dr. Guillermo Alvarez, Bariatric Surgeon
10:50 AM - 11:35 AM	Dr. Tracy Kemble
11:35 AM - 12:15 PM	Vendor Visits
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM	Catered Lunch/Schedule Updates
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM	Kathleen Nickerson, Relationship Expert
2:20 PM - 3:10 PM	Melting Mama and EggFace, Cooking Demonstration
3:20 PM - 4:05 PM	Dr. Connie Stapleton
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM	Closing Remarks, Prize Giveaways!

Speakers / Topics

Event Co-Sponsor - J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS

"Plastic Surgery After Weight-Loss"

Dr. J. Timothy Katzen addresses the fundamental concerns that come with massive weight loss. Studies show that in the first two years following successful bariatric surgery, a patient will lose an average of two-thirds to three-quarters of their excess weight. Oftentimes, when a patient loses such a substantial amount of weight in a short period of time, the outer skin doesn't retain the elastic qualities needed to "shrink back down" to the body's new shape. This can leave patients with excessive amounts of hanging skin that create problems, such as daily hygiene and finding the right clothing. Dr. Katzen has made post-bariatric plastic surgery an integral part of his practice. By performing one or more body-sculpting procedures, Dr. Katzen removes these excess folds of skin, revealing a new shape that was once hidden. He will discuss the various procedures that can reshape and tighten the skin in many areas of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, legs, arms, breasts and face. Dr. Katzen is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He did his plastic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University. He received his medical degree at Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Katzen has written over 20 scientific publications and four textbook chapters. He’s been featured as a plastic surgery expert on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox News.

Dr. Katzen will be giving FREE onsite consultations.

Click here to see a video clip from past presentations.

 

Dennis Hurwitz, M.D. - Event Sponsor

Discover the Hurwitz Center for Plastic Surgery, and their path of innovation, introducing you to body contouring procedures designed exclusively for the post-bariatric client.

Dr. Hurwitz gives you an insightful and personal tour to explain the courageous steps that were taken to change the operations and paradigms for body contouring after weight loss.

You'll learn about Total Body Lift Surgery After Massive Weight Loss - Dr. Hurwitz' uniquely comprehensive approach to treating the loose skin after massive weight loss. Innovated in 2001, the total body lift is a highly effective and safe surgery. Aesthetic and sensuous reshaping of the arms, thighs torso and breast are also performed in a coordinated way in as few stages as possible.

There is also Body Contouring for the Overweight Patient, designed for the massive weight loss patient who may still be overweight or even obese. The Hurwitz Center for Plastic Surgery have instituted a specially designed weight loss program for these patients, proven in Europe and Morocco over the past 30 years. Known as the Simeon method, this program safely and effectively combines a low caloric diet with injections of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin hormone, resulting in about 20 pounds of weight loss a month. Patients unable to loose further weight are surgically treated with ultrasonic assisted lipoplasty as a preliminary operation or during the course of major contouring surgery.

The Hurwitz Center for Plastic Surgery is located in the penthouse of the Forbes Allies Center at the entrance of the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Hurwitz also partners with nearby Magee-Women's Hospital to perform major procedures. This facility is a National Center of Excellence in Women's Health. Our dedicated nurses and anesthesiologists offer courteous and advanced professional care.

Dr. Hurwitz will be giving FREE onsite private consultations.

 

Event Co-Sponsor - Siamak Agha-Mohammadi, MD, PhD

“Advances and Innovations in Body Contouring Surgery after Massive weight Loss”

Ask your plastic surgeon everything you have been afraid to ask –

Have you ever wanted to ask a question of a plastic surgeon, but was intimidated to ask them when you are in the office? Here is your chance to bring a list of questions and ask the expert.

Siamak Agha-Mohammadi, MD, PhD, received his undergraduate degree at the University of London, England. He was awarded a First Class Honor degree and granted a scholarship to study Medicine at the prestigious University of Cambridge, England. Dr Agha also completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree at Cambridge which resulted in several publications and patents in Gene therapy and Molecular Biology. Dr Agha joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1998 and served as a Faculty in Biologic and Gene Therapy. Dr Agha has completed training in general surgery, aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Pittsburgh where he is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in basic and clinical science.
Dr Agha has a special interest in aesthetic surgical procedures for brow surgery, eyelid surgery, nasal surgery, and facial aesthetics, as well as breast reshaping and body contouring. Dr Agha has extensive experience in body contouring procedures, including upper and lower body lift, brachioplasty (arm reduction), breast lift and reshaping, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), thigh lift, buttock lift and buttock augmentation. He has participated and performed several hundred body contouring procedures, including total body lifts. Dr Agha has also contributed to several book chapters and recent publication on post-bariatric body contouring procedures in such books as Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss (2006), Aesthetic Surgery After Massive Weight (2006), and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journals (see resume for more details).

His current focus is on optimization of post-bariatric patient status for prior to plastic surgery procedures, and optimization of their aesthetic results by appreciating the anatomical changes associated with weight loss and development and improvement of current surgical approaches. Dr Agha aims to deliver the highest quality of aesthetic results through incisions that are well placed and well hidden.

Dr. Agha will be giving FREE onsite private consultations.

 

Event Co-Sponsor - Guillermo Alvarez, MD

Dr. Guillermo Alvarez specializes in laparoscopic Bariatric surgery and has dedicated his life and practice to this most amazing and rewarding area of medicine. To him, there is nothing more rewarding than helping obese individuals change their lives forever both mentally as well as physically. The best compliments are those from his patients that say, "they have been given this tool that has forever changed their lives". The challenge and fulfillment from trading a busy general surgery practice to a bariatric practice has been nothing short of incredible satisfaction. Dr. Alvarez aims to give the highest level of surgical care both pre-op and post-op. We all know that in this day and age, the obese population is on the rise and if left untreated, obesity does kill!

Experience:
Dr. Alvarez has worked in several hospitals in the USA, France and Mexico during his residency and maintains his current practice in Piedras Negras, Mexico on the Texas/Mexico borders. He believes that a specialty practice is the key to quality procedures and does specialize in the Lap-band and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy only. He is currently one of the leading physicians doing VSG procedure. His main goal is the well being and success of each of his patients.


Please come prepared with your list of questions and he will be more than happy to answer them for you.

Dr. Alvarez will offer a 15% discount on gastric sleeve procedures and $500 off a Lapband procedure to all event attendees! He will also be giving FREE onsite private consultations.




 

 

Beth L. Sheldon-Badore & Michelle Vicari, aka Melting Mama & Eggface

How to Cook, Eat, and Succeed after WLS!

For the first time ever, beloved OH members and super-bloggers Melting Mama (Beth Sheldon-Badore) and Eggface (Michelle Vicari) will share the stage to present the smart, savvy post-WLS way to cook and eat.

Michelle had open RNY Gastric Bypass Surgery in June 2006. At the time she weighed 295 lbs., and suffered from sleep apnea, GERD, and high blood pressure. Two years later, she's ditched the 8 medications she was on, lost 150 pounds and has enjoyed resolution of all co-morbidities.

Michelle has always loved to cook, and vowed not to let her creative passion leave when she had surgery. Lucky for us, Michelle has become an expert "recipe revolutionary" by making healthy versions of her pre-op favorites.

Beth Sheldon-Badore, or "Melting Mama" as she's known through her blog and on OH - has been advising on all things food, nutrition, and life since her WLS in 2004. Her witty, honest approach to life after WLS has inspired thousands in the bariatric community to find their own way to long-term weight loss surgery success, and her advice on food, nutritional and lifestyle products is coveted by post-bariatric patients across the country.

Don't miss this special pairing!

 

Debbie Wong, Nutrition Expert

Debbie Wong is a registered dietitian with 24 years of experience in clinical nutrition. She has worked in such diverse settings as hospital intensive care units, community pediatrics, and outpatient specialty clinics in obesity, eating disorders, and HIV. She has been working with Dr. Katzen for 7 years, which special emphasis on counseling post-gastric bypass patients. Debbie received a Bachelor of Science degree in Food & Human Nutrition at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada, and a Master degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Hawaii.
 

 

Laura Preston, Motivational Speaker and WLS Post-op

Laura Preston changed her life indefinitely when she made the decision to have weight loss surgery while living in New York City. A high-powered executive, she knew she had to change her way of life to get the next level of success. Her dedication to living a healthy life after weight loss surgery has guided her back to her home state of MI! She'll share her remarkable journey and transformation - don't miss it!

 

Jeremy Gentles, Fitness Expert

Jeremy Gentles, CSCS, is ObesityHelp's staff health and fitness expert. Jeremy studied Exercise Science at East Tennessee State University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

In his presentation, Jeremy will arm you with the knowledge to safely participate in a self-guided exercise program to assist you in achieving long-term success after weight loss surgery. He'll offer solutions for overcoming a multitude of obstacles that can get in the way of enjoy a full, active life. By helping you understand the why's and how's of exercise, Jeremy will empower you to knock down those obstacles, allowing you to become healthier through exercise. Come explore the benefits of having a healthy focus and learn how to properly and safely implement a weight/resistance training program.

It's your journey....Train for it!

 

Kathy Nickerson, PhD

"Learn Your Love Language: Communication Skills for Before, During, And After WLS"

Join us to hear from Kathy Nickerson, PhD as she introduces Love Styles . . . do you know your love style? She will share the secrets to keeping your relationship healthy and strong before, during, and after WLS.

Dr. Kathy Nickerson is an expert counselor who helps couples and families improve and strengthen their relationships. She is also an accomplished writer with a passion for teaching people how to live their best lives.

Kathy's work has been featured in the LA Times, OC Register, Parenting Magazine, DAWN Magazine, and Bariatrics Today. Her first book, Speaking Up: How to Help Children who Live in Abusive Homes, is used in classrooms throughout the country to teach professionals how to recognize and report child abuse. For more infomation, please visit www.DrKathyNickerson.com.
 

 

The Prevention of Weight Regain Following Surgery

Connie Stapleton, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and owner of Mind/Body Health Services in Augusta, GA. A native of Iowa, she received her doctorol degree from Texas A&M University in Counseling Psychology. She is an expert in recovery from addictions of all sorts. Her passion is the mental, physical and spiritual health of parents and families. She serves on the Mental Health Advisory Board for ObesityHelp.com and maintains certification as an Addiction Counselor. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia. She has worked for 18 years in the field of addiction and speaks publicly on the topic. She works with professional students at the Medical College of Georgia and has a private practice. Dr. Stapleton has been a featured expert for articles in OH, New Physician and Pregnancy magazines. Her 17-year professional history includes an ongoing private practice, teaching at the university level and conducting lectures and workshops. Her book, Eat it Up! The Complete Mind/Body Guide to a Full Life Following Weight Loss Surgery is in the works. Future book topics include mind/body books related to weight loss, alcohol and drug addiction, parenting and the family. In her public speaking career she inspires others to implement the tools that lead to a full happy life. She is married to her husband and business partner of 25 years. They have three grown children who are their greatest joy.

 

Yvonne McCarthy, aka "Bariatric Girl"

Professional Photographer,Musician and Artist
WLS 2001 – 7 years

Please join me and take a walk on the wild side. Let's talk about everything from the simple way to stay at goal to learning how to retrain the way you move as a thinner person. Come and see how my method of exercise can be done at home, ten minutes, twice a day, and is more like loving yourself than working. Understand why your ritual around food could be the one thing standing between you and your goal. No matter where you are in your journey, it is necessary to learn to redirect your focus on food to other sources. Find out why people don't want you to succeed and how to deal with it. Simplify your life choices in order to simplify your weight loss. Live your life, quit stressing over food and stop goal-destructive behavior by setting proper priorities.

I believe there are schools of thought in our community that need to be adjusted. Nothing you could learn in school could have prepared me for this ever changing roller coaster ride I was about to go on. When they told me not to have unrealistic expectations, I didn't listen... so I got way more than I thought possible. My fondest wish is to show you where the speed bumps are.

   

Costs and Ticket Information:

I think that we should just join Gwen and have a girls weekend.  Let me call and see if Aimee can join us. What do you say?  Gwen can we go with you?

Oh Louise, I so wish I could go.  It's been many a year since I've been to Los Angeles and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go back.  I had the time of my life last time I went.....sure would love to hijack and go with Gwen, you and Aimee!!!  We'd have more fun that we did in Atlanta and that was FUN!!!

Maybe next year we can go. At least we would not get a phone call at 3am like last year. But that was okay it was from Iraq and anytime that he could call was fine with me.

Hey that phone call was ALRIGHT with me.   If my hubby was in IRAQ or anywhere for that matter, I wouldn't care WHAT time he called me!  When Kyle worked midnights, he used to call me on his breaks in the middle of the night and I didn't care one bit, just cause I love him so. :)  And.....that son of yours is one HUNK A HUNK A!!!  Woo hoo for Aimee!!!

Yes I have to say that I do have one handsome son.  I have to brag on my girls a little to. I have 3 of the best children. Jay and Brandi have blessed us with 4 precious little boys that I love so much. Beverly has done so good for herself. Most young people her age does not have what she has been able to accomplish. We have never had one minutes trouble or worry from them.

You are such lucky parents.  Some of us are not as fortunate.  My girls are sweet but they have their moments.  ha ha!!  So may parents have a really tough time with their kids these days.  I don't know what's gotten into our youth of today.  Working in the school system, I see kids from all walks of life and some of what I see is just SO SAD.  I am very proud of my girls if I do say so myself.