Graham Elliot was recently on the Rachael Ray show talking about his Sleeve WLS and his inspirational journey.  Graham also prepared his Roasted Organic Chicken with Fennel Red Onion Salad. 

Join us at the ObesityHelp National Conference 2014 to hear Graham's Keynote presentation that includes questions/answers from attendees. 

OH is celebrating the ObesityHelp National Conference 2014 and wants you to be part of the fun. 

Join in and help us celebrate with our exciting GIVEAWAYS. 

Hey folks -

I'm almost 10 years out of lap-band, 7 years out of treatment for Anorexia and I need to re-engage with a surgeon. For one, because I haven't had my band checked in eons (had a pretty ****ty last few appointments with my surgeon who told me to keep starving myself and throwing up, etc).

I have been gaining weight for the past several years and have done everything possible short of seeing a surgeon to re-fill or consider a revision
.

I'm hoping someone knows someone fabulous in or around Los Angeles. I'm pretty skeptical after my experiences that there are bariatric surgeons who are sensitive, but I'm pretty sure there have to be.

I actually work for Kaiser in SoCal.  I asked my Primary Care Doc for a referral and got it right away.  I met all the criteria (at least 40 BMI, diabetic, sleep apnea, the whole shebang!!).

Here are the steps (for SoCal, anyway)

1.  Referral from your PCP.
2.  Once the referral is in, you will be contacted by Patient Education.  In order to be seen and scheduled for surgery, you must attend 12 weeks of classes called OPTIONS.  These classes meet one a week; they basically discuss the whys of weight gain, what to expect before, during and after surgery...I guess this would be considered the psychological portion of the journey.

3.  During the Options phase, you will be scheduled for Pre-Op Labs, including blood work and stool samples.  The stool sample is to make sure you don't have any "gut bugs".  If you do, you have to be treated for that before surgery is scheduled.

Also, KP requires you lose at least 10% of your starting weight before you are scheduled for surgery.  They do this so they can see that you are committed to changing your lifestyle.   You also have to keep a food and exercise diary.

4.  Once Pre-Op labs and the Options classes are complete, you will be scheduled for surgery, depending on how busy the OR schedule is.

I started classes in November 2012, finished Option classes in March 2013, and had my surgery June 7th, 2013.

As of today, I am down 92 lbs, very close to my goal.

KP SoCal has an EXCELLENT Bariatric Program.  They follow you very closely (for three years) to ensure you are successful.

I hope things work out for you!  Good luck!

We are honored to announce our keynote speaker for the ObesityHelp National Conference 2014.  Our keynote speaker is the one and only ....