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2008 - Los Angeles
ObesityHelp National Event
When:
October 31, 12:00 am - November 2, 10:59 pm, 2008About 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:
The Kyoto Grand has graciously extended our room block date to 10/8/08. We have negotiated a very special rate of $139 per night for guest rooms for this event. Be sure to book NOW if you plan on staying with us! There is a parking lot across the street for daily parking. The overnight guest parking fee is $24."Discover The Beauty In You" and learn all about anti-aging and the Galvanic Spa!
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 | |
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6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Halloween Costume Social, Presented by Dr. Dennis Hurwitz |
General Schedule for Saturday | |
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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 | Actor & GBP Patient Ron Lester |
2:25 PM - 3:10 PM | Ramon Lopez, WLS Post Op and Motivational Speaker |
3:20 PM - 4:05 PM | NBC's "Biggest Loser" Contestant Bette-Sue Burklund |
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM | Closing Remarks, Prize Giveaways. Break for dinner. |
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM | Casino Night Social Sponsored by Dr. Hurwitz. Bariatric friendly sugar free desserts served! |
General Schedule for Sunday | |
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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.
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.
Siamak Agha-Mohammadi, MD, PhD
Following his teaching course at the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons on Plastic Surgery after Weight Loss in Washington, DC http://www.surgery.org/microsite/meeting2010/course-707.php, Dr. Siamak Agha will be joining OH to give a lecture on High-Definition Body Lift ?. He will be available for complimentary consultation at the hotel on Saturday and at his office in Newport Beach on Sunday. Sign up at his table.
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.
Learn more about Dr. Agha and body contouring at www.plasticsurgerybodycontouring.com
Come meet Dr. Agha on Friday at the Meet and Greet!
Dr. Guillermo Alvarez
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.
Learn more about Dr. Alvarez at http://www.endobariatric.com/
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!
Ron Lester, Actor & GBP Patient
Adored by fans for having played roles like husky linebacker Billy Bob in "Varsity Blues" and Sugar Daddy in the WB's "Popular," he's become a new man and wants the world to know about it! His physical transformation after GBP surgery (over 300 pounds down!) has given him a new perspective on life, love and yes, 'being in the business'. Hear his hilarious and inspiring journey, including tricks he's used to thrive in way-too-image-obsessed Hollywood.
Bette-Sue Burklund of NBC's "Biggest Loser"
Bette-Sue is a sassy, loveable woman who could have her own sitcom. She has a huge personality and an infectious laugh that consumes you. Having twenty years of motivational speaking under her belt, she knows how to take on almost any topic. but the topic that is nearest and dearest to her heart is her journey to lose weight. Along with her daughter Ali, she lost weight in front of the entire country for last season's "Biggest Loser" on NBC. Don't miss the chance to hear her amazing story.
Jeremy Gentles, Fitness Expert
Jeremy Gentles, MA, CSCS, is ObesityHelp's exercise physiologist. 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 enjoying 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!
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!
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.
Connie Stapleton, Ph.D.
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 available for purchase at the events. 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.
Visit Dr. Stapleton's website at http://mindbodyhealthservices.com/
Yvonne McCarthy, aka "Bariatric Girl"
Yvonne McCarthy (Bariatric Girl)
Professional Photographer,
Musician and Artist, Public Speaker
WLS 2001 ? 9 years!
Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana Yvonne became an official Texan in 1987. After 15 minutes of research she decided to have open RNY gastric bypass at 260 pounds. Yvonne has lost 130 pounds and maintained that weight through what she considers to be a series of miracles.
After joining Obesity Help in 2001, she attended her first OH event in May of 2004. Since then she decided the weight loss surgery advocate was born.
Yvonne McCarthy, known by many as "Bariatric Girl", is a public speaker, co-founder of RYD Obesity as well as her website www.bariatricgirl.com. She is an active member of the WLS community. She joined the Weight Loss Surgery Channel as host of the talkshow WLS Journeys, speaking from the heart to guests who share how bariatric surgery has changed their life. Yvonne's mission is to bring a message of hope to the millions of people who struggle with their weight, having experienced the challenges firsthand since childhood. She continued to battle the scale for close to three decades, losing hundreds of pounds through diet and exercise, only to gain back the weight and more. When her mother died of cancer in 2000, Yvonne gave up the fight. But, the following year, she discovered new hope when she underwent Roux en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Today, Yvonne is living the life she always envisioned. As of May 2009 she has joined the staff at The Feel Better Network. She is married to Texas radio personality Kevin McCarthy, her husband of seven years and host of the Car Guy Show on WBAP News/Talk 820, and is happily pursuing her other passion for animals as well.
Former Miss Universe and Expert Coach Dr. Tracy Kemble
Dr. Kemble is a teacher, speaker, television personality, author and life empowerer, and for the past 14 years, Dr. Tracy Kemble has been wowing audiences and motiviating women to become their personal best. A recognized figure for women and empowerment, Dr. Tracy's teachings and writings have not only been featured on television and media around the globe, but most important continue to renew the hopes and transform the lives for women of all ages. Her approachable yet entertaining style creates an environment of passionate yet possible change.
Global MD, Medical Tourism
Discover International Medical Travel
Global MD offers a comprehensive, start to finish solution for weight loss surgery patients looking for quality, cost-effective bariatric surgery. Global MD works with an elite network of international hospitals and physicians accredited by U.S. or equivalent accreditation agencies which meet or exceed U.S. standards. Global MD visits each of its partner facilities and maintains close relationships with them.
During their breakout session presentation, Global MD will introduce you to two bariatric surgeons from Christus Muguerza Hospital, located in Monterrey, Mexico: Dr. Carlos Herrejon and Dr. Horacio Guajardo. Learn of the experience from the physicians themselves, and ask questions of the surgeons and Global MD.
From assisting with your choice of surgeon to devising your medical travel program, GlobalMD takes care of all of your needs, and are industry leaders in medical travel. Dont miss this opportunity to learn more about their program!
Costs and Ticket Information:
Order your tickets early for this event, as it is the ten year anniversary celebration for ObesityHelp as a company, and we're going to have some fun! Make it a fun weekend! Your ticket includes reception on Friday, lunches on Saturday and Sunday.