| Weight loss options such as bariatric surgery a | | | | internists, psychologists, registered dietitians, and |
| very popular in Orange County, CA. From Yorba | | | | exercise trainers prepare the patient for the |
| Linda to Newport Beach, people who once | | | | challenges he or she will face in post-surgical life. |
| struggled with obesity are renewing their lives by | | | | Instructors discuss not only issues such as fitness |
| undergoing gastric banding, gastric bypass and | | | | routines and meals plans, but also critical factors |
| gastric sleeve procedures. A dedicated surgeon | | | | such as dealing with temptation and emotional |
| and team are, of course, critical to the successful | | | | stress. |
| outcome of the surgery. It is important, however, | | | | A thorough lifestyle management program |
| for patients to also rely on a medical weight loss | | | | generally lasts for six months. The program is |
| team to instruct them in lifestyle management | | | | complete with monthly nutrition coaching from a |
| and preparation for post-surgical life. | | | | registered dietitian, weekly personal training |
| Despite the proven efficacy of bariatric surgery, | | | | session with a fitness trainer, comprehensive |
| patient behavior plays a substantial role in how | | | | behavioral counseling and group events. Patients |
| much weight is lost and whether or not it stays | | | | who have lost weight through surgery but later |
| off for good. If the patient does not make the | | | | gained some back can enroll in an eight-week |
| necessary dietary and lifestyle changes (or is not | | | | program which includes medical, nutritional and |
| properly taught how to do so" gaining the weight | | | | behavioral evaluations as well as fitness and |
| back is almost inevitable. Sue Byrne, PhD, and | | | | lifestyle management sessions. |
| others observe this in the International Journal of | | | | For the people of Orange County who suffer |
| Obesity: "Studies…have suggested that relapse is | | | | from morbid obesity, it is important to carefully |
| attributable to individuals' failure to persist with the | | | | consider all surgical and medical weight loss options |
| weight-control behaviours [sic] that they adopted | | | | available. Surgery has proven to produce |
| to achieve weight loss." | | | | life-changing transformations in thousands of |
| Through the life management training process, | | | | people, yet without proper lifestyle modification, |
| patients are provided with education, motivation | | | | those transformations are robbed of their full |
| and support to ensure that what began with the | | | | potential. Significant weight loss is a team effort, |
| surgery ends with a fuller, healthier life. A medical | | | | and no obese person should take the journey |
| weight loss team consisting of surgeons, bariatric | | | | alone. |