ObesityHelp Events & Conferences
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2008 - Houston
ObesityHelp National Event
When:
November 15, 2008, 09:00 am to 05:00 pm.Where:
Hilton Houston Southwest Hotel6780 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX
1-713-977-7911
Lodging:
Hilton Houston Southwest Hotel6780 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX
1-713-977-7911
About the area:
The newly renovated Hilton Houston Southwest hotel is conveniently located near the prestigious Galleria area, only minutes from downtown Houston, Reliant Stadium, Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center, George R Brown Convention Center and the Texas Medical Center. Whether traveling for business or leisure, the Hilton Houston Southwest hotel is the perfect location to enjoy genuine Texas hospitality! This hotel offers complimentary parking and transportation to nearby businesses as well as the Galleria Mall.Announcements:
UPDATE: The Houston two-day event has been changed to a one-day event on November 15th, 2008 from 9am-5pm. Please look here for updates as they come in. Our Friday night meet-n-greet and Saturday night social will still occur. A Sunday morning off-site event is being organized through our local support group leaders. As soon as updates are confirmed, we will post them in your state message board. Thank you for your understanding - we know the event will still be great!We have negotiated a special rate of $89 for guest rooms at this lovely hotel. Be sure to book early, as the room block will sell out. There is a Friday reception, so come stay with us for the weekend! We have been assured that the hotel is up and running after the hurricane, and ready to host OH!
Casino Night Social: Saturday night!
From 7:30-10:30 pm, join us for a fun evening of poker, craps, blackjack and win fabulous prizes! Pros and newbies welcome - all dealers will teach you the ins & outs of each game. Note: casino night is not a cash-gambling event. Each attendee will receive a grouping of chips, and prizes will be given to the attendee with the highest and lowest amount of chips at the end of the night.
Casino night is included in the price of admission for all event attendees, and non-event attendees can join the evening social for $15. Casual attire requested. Sugar free dessert will be served, along with beverages.
Be sure to note the information about surgery discounts in the profile of Dr. Guillermo Alvarez.
Schedule:
| General Schedule for Saturday | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Vendor Setup Time |
| 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 | C. Bob Basu, M.D. |
| 9:55 AM - 10:40 AM | Guillermo Alvarez, M.D. |
| 10:50 AM - 11:35 AM | Bo McCoy, WLS Post-Op and Motivational Speaker |
| 11:35 AM - 12:15 PM | Vendor Visits |
| 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch & Schedule Updates |
| 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM | Dave Fouts, Bariatric Chef |
| 1:55 PM - 2:10 PM | Gayla Bentley, Fashion Expert |
| 2:50 PM - 3:35 PM | MaryJo Rapini of TLC's "Big Medicine" |
| 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM | Dr. Connie Stapleton |
| 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Closing Remarks & Prize Giveaways! |
| 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM | Casino Night! Casual Dress. Dessert and beverages served. |
Speakers / Topics
Event Co-Sponsor - Dr. C. Bob Basu
Dr. Bob Basu is a board certified plastic surgeon who serves as director of Basu Plastic Surgery and The Center for Advanced Breast Restoration. He subspecializes in state-of-the-art body contouring procedures after massive weight loss for both men and women. Dr. Basu continues to work closely with several bariatric centers of excellence and programs in the Texas Medical Center, Northwest Houston, Cypress-Fairbanks, and The Woodlands.
Body contouring procedures following bariatric surgery requires special attention to clinical matters that can be unique to massive weight loss patients to optimize patient safety. Dr. Basu is a recognized contributor on the topic of patient safety in cosmetic surgery and serves on the Patient Safety Committee of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Most recently, he has been honored with the 2008 American Medical Association Foundation Leadership in Medicine Award. He is a HTexas magazine Top Doc in Plastic Surgery for 2007 and 2008, and also a recognized Top Doc for Women. Dr. Basu is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has served as Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine.
Dr. Basu will share his extensive experience with the entire gamut of state-of-the-art options for post-bariatric body contouring. He will review clinical options for both men and women, preoperative preparation and timing, potential risk factors & safety concerns, advanced pain control modalities, expected postoperative course and recovery, and insurance coverage and precertification. A Q&A session will be included. Following the program, Dr. Basu will provide complimentary on-site consultations to patients who have specific questions/concerns; these consultations will be available on a first-come-first serve basis. Learn more about Dr. Basu and the post-bariatric contouring procedures he performs at http://www.basuplasticsurgery.com/
Dr. Basu will be providing FREE onsite private consultations at this event.
Keynote Speaker - 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/
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!
Yvonne McCarthy, aka "Bariatric Girl"
Yvonne McCarthy (Bariatric Girl)
Professional Photographer,
Musician and Artist, Public Speaker
WLS 2001 – 8 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.
Dave Fouts, Bariatric Chef
Chef David Fouts received his Culinary Degree in 1994 from the Florida Culinary Institute in sunny West Palm Beach, Florida. Soon thereafter, he was hired by the prestigious 5 Star Diamond Hotel "The Breakers" in West Palm Beach, where he worked for several years. He currently serves as the Corporate Chef for Western Bariatric Institute and the International Metabolic Institute both based in Reno, Nevada.
Over the last several years, Chef Dave has written, contributed and advised on several editorial boards for publications throughout the country. In 2003, he wrote his first book, "Culinary Classics: Essentials of Cooking for the Gastric Bypass Patient." The book was born out of his passion to help patients he works with on a daily basis and to help them overcome their challenges with food choices following weight loss surgery.
He'll share his tips and insights on food choices in his fun and info-packed presentation! Don't miss it.
Visit Chef Dave's Website at http://www.chefdave.org/
Star of TLC's BIG MEDICINE, Mary Jo Rapini, LPC
Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC, is featured on TLC's new series, Big Medicine which completed season one and two. She is also a contributing expert for Seventeen magazine (referenced twice in their 9/08 issue). She was quoted in an article about body image in First magazine (7/21/08) and is a frequent expert for relationship articles in the Houston Chronicle. Mary Jo has her own column in the Houston Chronicle beginning in Jan. 09. She is an intimacy and sex counselor, and a certified anger management therapist. A mom with two daughters, her passion is helping all girls become strong women. She is a popular speaker across the nation, with multiple repeat requests to serve as key-note speaker for national conferences. Her dynamic style is particularly engaging for those dealing with intimacy issues and relationship challenges, or those simply hanging on to unasked questions about sex in relationships. She was recently a major participant in a symposium for young girls dealing with body image and helping girls become strong women. As host of The Mary Jo Show on a local cable access channel, Rapini interviewed adolescents and works to empower them to live life to the fullest. She has appeared on many television programs including Montel, Fox Morning News and various Houston area shows to discuss topics such as holiday stress, prayer and healing, divorce and kids, children and traumatic experiences, and children and cancer. Rapini is the author of Is God Pink? Dying to Heal and co-author of Start Talking: A Girl's Guide for You and Your Mom About Health, Sex or Whatever.
Visit Mary Jo at http://www.maryjorapini.com/
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 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.
Bo McCoy, WLS Post Op & Motivational Speaker
Ride the Wave - One Day at a time for long-term WLS Success!
Meet and laugh with Bo McCoy, ObesityHelp's National Sales Director. Bo began his journey at 626 lbs. Now 5 years and 320 pounds lighter, he inspires others to take the first step in the journey by understanding the real reasons why they become overweight.
Bo addresses real post-op issues, gently helping us get to the root of our struggles with weight. Do you know why you became overweight? The answers might be surprise you. However, not knowing might help you return to obesity. What will happen to you the day the scales stops moving down? Making the Journey together is more important than you know.
Bo McCoy will help you build up your support system to help you make the hardest journey of all - the mental journey once the weight-loss is finished.
Tanya DeLaet, Breakout Speaker & WLS Post-op
When the WOWs wind down: Reigniting your Motivation after WLS!
What happens a few years after weight loss surgery, and how you choose to deal with it, is imperative to your long term success. Once weight loss has been achieved, how do you deal with life after the honeymoon? You may still struggle with the same emotional issues you grappled with before weight loss surgery. We'll discuss this and more candidly and learn how to handle the issues without losing sight of your long-term goals. Come and be prepared to be honest, laugh and learn something new.
After a lifetime of obesity and depression, longtime ICU Registered Nurse Tanya DeLaet said "enough!"and underwent RNY in August 2006. Since then, she has lost 157 pounds and started the journey of a lifetime – some of it filmed and premiered on The Learning Channel's Big Medicine: Season 2- Children and Obesity. Tanya has been successful at reaching and striving to maintain her weight and personal goals, and has found sharing her experience with others a great motivator to both herself and her community.
Gayla Bentley, Fashion Expert & Clothing Designer
"It's Not About Size, It's About Style."
Gayla Bentley's mission in life is to educate women that looking chic, stylish, and contemporary and expressing personal style is possible for women of all shapes and sizes.
Growing up, Gayla wore a plus size when there were no plus sizes available for teenagers. Shopping would always be a dreaded chore with nothing to choose from in her size for her age. Gayla knew then she would dedicate her life to educate women of all sizes on what to wear and where they could shop for clothes that they loved - and now she designs them!
It was in 1991, 6 months after Gayla's marriage, she broke her neck in a car accident. In the 3 years of recuperation that followed, Gayla transformed her challenge into developing and planning her ultimate goals. Once again her vision was to bring Style to "Women with Curves". She now owns and operates Gayla Bentley designs, available at www.gaylabentley.com, where those with curves can find some serious style!
Gayla Bentley continually advocates for women to rediscover their beauty at any age, any weight or any size. "I want women to rediscover their own beauty, inside and out. How we look on the outside can directly affect how we feel inside."
Sean Nichols, WLS Post Op and Men's Support Group Leader
After surgery, what is your support system? Do you still talk to other WLS patients? Do you talk on the OH Board? Do you attend support group meetings and get together? Do you feel the need to substitute one addiction for another? Post surgery we all need to be around others like us; for emotional support, for advice, for education, and to educate. That is why support groups are so important. We will discuss the importance of support groups, the benefits and the downfalls. Also we will address the issue of cross addictions. Is it real? Why do we do it? What can we do about it?
Growing up all my life obese, I found comfort in food. Once I got to college I added alcohol to that comfort. They were my best friends. In 1990 I gave up alcohol and decided to focus on helping those with addictions. Little did I know that my food was an addiction. I received my BS degree from Texas Tech University in 1993 in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialization in drug and alcohol counseling. In 2000 I realized that food was an addiction. After trying, and failing, many weight loss diets and programs, I had RNY in June 2007. I started a Men's support group in Houston and also lead the Pasadena support group. I am very active in helping and supporting the WLS community.
First Street Hospital, Houston, TX
Meet the staff of First Street Hospital, located in Bellaire, Texas right in the middle of Houston. First Street was built with the Bariatric Patient in mind. They work closely with NeWeigh to facilitate the patient from the first step of preparing for their Bariatric Surgery. Their program administrators have been involved with Bariatric Surgery for over twenty years.
They are pleased to be able to work with several of the most experienced Bariatric surgeons in the Houston area. Both First Street Hospital and NeWeigh believe in individualized patient care and follow-up. They are very proud to be able to walk our patients all the way through their journey to lose weight and support them both before and after their surgery. Come hear what they can do to help you achieve your weight loss goal!
You will have the opportunity to meet both our Chief Executive Officer and Bariatric Coordinator.
Costs and Ticket Information:
Event tickets are full access and are valid for the entire event, including the Friday night meet and greet. Come stay and make some new friends. We have negotiated a special room rate of $89 per night, standard room at this beautiful Hilton.
Sponsors
