BRIEF ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Two years after weight loss surgery, Joanna Silberman explains how much it changed her life. Her confidence level is at an all time high and she is looking at the world with a newfound optimistic attitude. Food issues do not disappear with surgery; they will always be a struggle. Her main concern nowadays is to keep her weight stable.

BRIEF ARTICLE OVERVIEW: One of the most overlooked areas of the body after weight loss surgery is the pubic area. In most cases this area is covered up by excess skin or pannus that hangs down from the abdomen. The PULL technique is a combination of skin and fat excision in the upper pubic area, combined with liposuction of the lower pubic and surrounding areas. It is a safe, quick procedure and an effective way to rejuvenate this area without having genital surgery.

BRIEF ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Dr. Ann Kearney-Cooke presents her new two part book, filled with powerful mind/body transforming ideas and information. Her suggestions include: new ways to evaluate body image and action-oriented advice on how to develop a healthy body image after weight loss surgery.

BRIEF ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Attorney Walter Lindstrom assesses the options to a difficult but common, insurance question.

BRIEF ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Willie Collins battled weight problems all his life. Obesity runs in his family and both of his children have struggled with their weight. He tried all the regular dieting methods, but nothing seemed to work. It was time to do something permanent and have weight loss surgery. After finishing high school Willie’s daughter underwent weight loss surgery and has no regrets. The surgeries have brought father and daughter closer, sharing time together and sitting comfortably in seats at a ball game.

BRIEF ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Everyone deserves their 15 minutes of fame. The “Come as you were/Go as you are” fashion show gives weight loss surgery patients their time to shine. The show is a magical culmination of a lifetime of dreaming to be what society considers normal. It is an evening filled with laughter, tears and. hope for everyone.

BRIEF ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Obesity is not only an individual’s problem it has become society’s problem. Children are especially susceptible to this disease. Role models and parents need to show children how to think independently and make good choices for themselves. Bariatric surgery is not the easy way out, but for some patients it is the first time in their lives they have used their own decision-making process. Now they can begin taking the necessary steps to regain control of their lives by getting a second chance to improve their quality of life.

BRIEF ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Morbid Obesity is a deadly disease. Once becoming Morbidly Obese the chance of losing weight is very low. A vast segment of our population still cannot understand why someone incapacitated by obesity cannot just lose weight. Cultural perceptions play a significant role in our inconsistent allocation of health care dollars and what services are deemed medically necessary. Bariatric surgery is not glamorous but it is the best solution we have for a devastating problem.

BRIEF ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Cynthia Jones protected herself with decades of compulsive eating and hundreds of pounds of weight gain. Tired and frustrated after years of the dieting roller coaster, she began to accept being fat as her lot in life. About a week later, a chance call from her sister about the Lap-Band procedure set Cynthia on her way to starting a new life and establishing a post- procedure support group.

BRIEF ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Obesity is known as a multisystem disease, putting obese women at greater risk for breast cancer. Early breast cancers have no symptoms and fear of treatment often keeps patients from screening examinations. Women tend to ignore their health and put others ahead of themselves. Making health a priority in women’s lives is a small price to pay for peace of mind.