Seattle Bash Weight Loss Surgery Conference

Obesity Statistics, Alarming and Worrisome

2010-12-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

American citizens are not healthy.

Translating those statistics into dollars and cents, $1 out of $5 spent on healthcare is spent caring for someone with diagnosed diabetes, a figure that has increased 32% since 2002, according to the American Diabetes Association. Source

Obesity in Child has increased 3-fold. Childhood Obesity Statistics

Pre-Bash Seminar: Will you stage a comeback?

2010-03-04T20:07:00.000-08:00

It's a bit silly, but with a serious point. What's really in my heart is that we are just so beaten down by the disease of obesity -- and after surgery, as we lose weight, we may not really know how we are going to achieve lasting success.
Most of us desperately want to recover from obesity for good, but eventually, the honeymoon ends.

And then what?

Like many of you, I'm at the "then what?" stage. That's why I am so excited to be speaking at the Seattle Bash, because I have some really useful information to share. Stuff you can start using immediately to begin to get a handle on your WLS challenges.

My events are different from what you usually find in a WLS-related seminar.
Courtney Holbrook, Ph.D., a bariatric psychologist, says, "It is clear how much Katie believes in what she is doing. She offers hope, motivation and inspiration to weight loss surgery patients but doesn't deny the reality of the likely difficult journey they are on. She helps patients examine themselves in order to gain insight and make positive changes, but not in a way that results in harsh judgments or self-recriminations. Perhaps this is because she is willing to stand before other weight loss surgery patients and admit her own difficulties but show that she overcame them in her own weight loss journey."

I've done a lot of research, coached hundreds of patients, and have also walked the WLS walk myself. I've identified 12 stages of WLS transformation that are critical to long-term weight loss -– and I will be sharing these stages as part of my talk, among many other things!

If you'd like to attend my pre-bash event, there are still a few spots left. You can sign up for it from the Bash's web site. Or, click on the link to my web site here...

http://www.nawls.com/products/item42.cfm

This won't be a lecture! It will be an experience. So, go for it. For the cost of one evening out to dinner with the family, you can get information that could change the course of your WLS journey forever -- if you show up and let it!

See you soon.

Katie Jay, MSW
Director, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery Because WLS Isn't Magic!
www.nawls.com

Weight Loss Surgery Channel Features Seattle Bash Weight Loss Surgery Conference

2010-02-26T16:51:00.000-08:00

Weight Loss Surgery Channel on Seattle Bash Weight Loss Surgery Conference:

Weight Loss Surgery Conference Focuses on Education, Renewal

Coming up March 11, 2010, hundreds of pre- and post-operative bariatric patients, doctors, and other medical professionals will descend on the Sea-Tac Marriott in Seattle, Washington for the annual Seattle Bash and Weight Loss Surgery Conference. Now in its seventh year, the conference provides opportunities for education, inspiration and rejuvenation to participants from across the country. Run by dedicated weight loss surgery patients, the conference will focus on weight loss surgery helps resolve diabetes and new surgery opportunities in gastric banding and latest options in revision weight loss surgery. Visit Seattle Bash Weight Loss Surgery Conference for more information.

Fill & Fluoro Package Offer at Seattle Bash

2010-02-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

Puget Sound Surgical Center is pleased to offer Seattle Bash attendees only an exclusive fill and fluoro special for $225.00 at their medical office in Edmonds (north of Seattle ). Fills and fluoros will be available from 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Wednesday, March 10th.

To take advantage of this special offer, patients must complete the following:
- Provide information on your Lap Band surgery (date of surgery, place of surgery, type of band, date of last fill and fluoro (if applicable))
- Complete PSSC medical history form by March 5th (www.pugetsoundsurgicalcenter.com)
- Provide proof of conference registration

For more information, please call our office at 425-778-2220.

Dr. Peter Billing and Dr. Matthew Crouthamel

2010-02-09T00:13:00.000-08:00

At the Seattle Bash, Dr. Billing will speak about revision surgery to those patients who may have had weight loss surgery in the past, but have either never lost weight or regained the weight back. Dr. Crouthamel will share Puget Sound Surgical Center’s terrific results with the sleeve gastrectomy in his talk entitled Sleeve Gastrectomy—What’s this all about?

“It’s not about being thinner, it’s about helping patients achieve a brand new start at life. Most of our patients’ obesity-related diseases, such as Type II Diabetes, are significantly improved, if not completely resolved after surgery. It’s incredible,” said Dr. Crouthamel of his upcoming talk. At the conference, both surgeons will participate in interactive events such as the Speaker’s Luncheon and Surgeons Professional Forum.

Mary Jo Rapini to speak at the Seattle Bash

2010-01-31T10:45:00.000-08:00

Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC, is a psychotherapist specializing in intimacy, sex, and relationships. She has her own TV show, is featured on TLC’s hit TV series, "Big Medicine",is a columnist for several newspapers, a contributing expert for Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, First, New York Daily News, and Seventeen magazines and recently authored a new book, "Is God Pink? Dying to Heal." Mary Jo's talk will be "Sex and Intimacy after Weight Loss Surgery."

For more information check out http://www.seattlebash.org/ and http://seattlebash.blogspot.com/. Posted by SOURCiS.

Follow Us on Twitter

2010-01-29T10:34:00.000-08:00

Seattle Bash and Weight Loss Surgery Conference is using Twitter. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/wlsconference

World from Katie Jay, Director, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery

2010-01-29T10:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Connie,

This is Katie Jay (from www.nawls.com, if you don't know me). Joanne graciously invited me to come speak at the Seattle Bash. I am also going to be giving a seminar (separate from the Seattle Bash event - but in the same location) on Thursday morning. I'd love for you to join me at my seminar! I will post details about it soon. It's going to be both fun and powerful. No matter where you are on your journey, you'll get valuable information. The tentative title is: Be a WLS Rock Star! How to Stage a Comeback Even When Your Surgery Fails You (and You Feel Like a Has-Been).

I look forward to meeting you.

Katie Jay, MSW, Certified Wellness Coach
Director, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery
Because WLS Isn't Magic!

Speakers and Agenda

2010-01-28T10:05:00.000-08:00

We are still awaiting final speaker confirmations while browbeating with some success. Current total stands at 20 confirmed speakers. The conference starts at 8am on Thursday March 11, 2010 and continues until 1 pm on Sunday. Thursday's program is a day of motivation, psychological support and cooking. Friday and Saturday are focused on weight loss surgery issues. More information on this as the schedule is finalized. Saturday night's entertainment includes a fashion show, a before and after picture show, a raffle and auction. Dance the night away to a live band. Sunday morning day is focused on plastic surgery particularly body contouring with an emphasis by plastic surgeons on safety.

If you have been at the Bash before perhaps you can post to tell newbies about the event. Start gathering your before and after pictures to be included in the show.
Please start emailing them to me.

We are very pleased to announce that nationally known bariatric chef - Chef Dave will be coming to the conference. He has been a known presenter at one of some of the Bariatric Surgery meetings discussing his gastric bypass journey with particular emphasis on aftercare diet. Chef Dave has been featured on dozens of morning and afternoon television programs demonstrating bariatric surgery recipes that concentrate on high protein foods, simple to make and guaranteed to provide extra energy. Chef Dave will have a class going all Thursday afternoon. Plan on attending. By the way, he is also an author of a new book which you can purchase in the vendor area.

It is a joy to announce that Katie Jay from the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery (NAWLS), an online support site, will be talking this year at the conference. She will be presenting two talks this year, once on Thursday afternoon and again on Friday. I heard her talk at a weight loss surgery event last year to a jam-packed audience, a very inspiring event. She is also an author and you can purchase her book in the vendor area. An aside: Katie Jay will also have a private Thursday morning seminar going at the Marriott for wls patients who are coming from all over the US to hear her. If you wish to attend there is an associated seminar fee--it will be worth every penny! This event is not part of the Seattle Bash registration fee. For convenience we will be linking Katie's site and seminar information to our web site later this week. You can sign up to attend her seminar by following the links to her NAWLS support site.

More information tomorrow morning-keep tuned especially for information about a special fee fluro and fill opportunity from one of our local surgical providers.
Also a local surgical practice is offering a special botox event at the hotel this year. The usual disclaimer that you know we have to state: Neither of these opportunities are endorsed nor receive financial contributions by/to the Seattle Bash. These Washington State medically licensed providers are offering these opportunities only to conference attendees. You will need to show proof of conference registration to purchase these special services. Additional information coming to the web site.

BYE.

Katie Jay to Speak at the Seventh Annual Seattle Bash Weight Loss Surgery Conference

2010-01-27T16:38:00.000-08:00

Katie Jay, founder and director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery (NAWLS), to present at Seattle Bash Weight Loss Surgery Conference. She will additionally offer an exclusive seminar before the doors open. Jay will debut her pre-event talk: Be a Weight Loss Surgery Rock Star! How to Stage a Comeback Even When Your Surgery Fails You.

She will present, Fix me!: How to Discover Your Inner Strength, Blast Your Old Beliefs, and Create Your Own Happy Ending to Weight Loss Surgery patients who are expected from across the nation.

The event will take place March 11-14, 2010, at the Seattle Airport Marriott.

Posted by SOURCiS - Website Design and Search Engine Marketing.

New updates

2010-01-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

Our updated web site can be found at SeattleBash.Org

Next week we will be announcing some nationally known speakers. In the meantime we are urgently looking for volunteers. Your registration fee of $100.00 covers the bare minimum of conference rooms, food and audio costs. That does not account for dozens of other fees. It's a great way to meet and network with other registrants. Some volunteer positions may decrease your registation fee.

Volunteer positions we really need this year are:
1. Meal time ticket takers - 8 people.
2. Speaker room time monitors - 8 people.
3. Speaker room coordinator.
4. Fashion Show coordinator and helpers.
5. Clothing Exchange coordinator and helpers.
6. Registration, meet and greet volunteers.
7. Friday night dinner host
8. Entertainment coordinator for Saturday night
9. Raffle helpers to work with Lani (crazy hats to be worn). The raffle supports the PNW Benevolent fund which assists WLS patients in need throughout the year. It also assists in registration scholarships. Lani will be online with more information Amy, our volunteer coordinator will be online soon and will give you information on how you volunteer. So, please volunteer.

Gentle reminder that the discounted hotel fees are good for another few weeks and then will revert to Marriot's regular room rates. Register early to get the good rate.

If your WLS surgeon would like to speak, please have him/her email me.

Look forward to seeing you soon. . . Joanne

Seattle Bash and Weight Loss Surgery Conference is Proud to Host Chef Dave

2010-01-25T13:59:00.000-08:00

7th Annual Seattle Bash and Weight Loss Surgery Conference (March 11-14, 2010) hosts Chef Dave. A formally-trained culinary chef, Dave Fouts has received national recognition for sharing cooking tips, grocery shopping lists and recipes with weight loss surgery patients. Chef Dave feels honored to have an active role in helping others. For more information on Chef Dave, visit chefdave.org. Posted by SOURCiS - Website Design and Search Engine Marketing.

7th Annual Seattle Bash Weight Loss Surgery Conference

2010-01-24T11:42:00.000-08:00

7th Annual Seattle Bash and Weight Loss Surgery Conference March 11 - 14, 2010 at Marriott Seatac Hotel. This is an entertaining and educational conference run and funded by patients. Early-bird registration is $100 and is available until February 15, 2010. Register online... Posted by SOURCiS - Website Design and Search Engine Marketing.

Seattle Bash website is Lovely

2010-01-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Joan, the Seattle Bash website is lovely, the event sounds grand and I for one am signing up!

Hope to see you-all there!

Cathy Reiner Godwin, Seattle & Olympia

Raffle Prizes for the Bash

2010-01-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

Ooopsie. Sorry I sent the last email to everyone. It was meant for Amy. But since I have your attention...

I am the Benevolent Fund coordinator and the Raffle Coordinator for the Bash. Please save those dorky gifts you got for Christmas for the raffle. The raffle raises money to help people attend the bash with the Benevolent Fund money. The Benevolent fund helps people with part of the registration money so they can attend.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season. . . Not so techy Lani

Calling for Volunteers: Seattle Bash - March 2010

2009-12-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

Greetings all...

It's your friendly Volunteer Coordinator for the 2010 Seattle Bash here...

I'm starting to ramp up and get folks excited to lend a bit of their time during the Seattle Weight Loss Surgery Education Conference & Bash to help it run smoothly and successfully. I'm encouraging everyone attending to help out a little bit so all can attend and enjoy the aspects of the Bash that they want to.

Bash Dates for 2010: March 11-14, 2010

Volunteer positions that we will need assistance with:
* Check-in Table . . . . . . . . . . . finalize attendees registration
* Welcoming Committee . . . . . . greet folks and direct them to check-in table
* Friday Dinner Coordinators . . . group people for Friday dinner times
* Badge Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . ensure attendees are registered attendees
* Session Monitor / Timer . . . . . help keep the speakers on time
* Meal Ticket Taker . . . . . . . . . . ensure attendees paid for the dinner event
* Lunch Dessert Coach . . . . . . . . ensure everyone gets to choose a dessert
* Mealtime Exit Door Watcher . . . direct attendees to the proper entry door
* & other positions as we progress in our planning!

You can find more about these positions (and updates) on the FILES section of the Seattle Splash Yahoo Group site!

If you're willing to volunteer -- please send me your name, email, and contact phone number -- even if you're not sure yet what you'd like to do.

Cheers! ... Amy Palmer / apalmer_awe ...

Welcome to the Blog

2009-12-25T09:25:00.000-08:00

We have transferred the last month’s messages over from the Yahoo Group site to keep everyone abreast of conference updates.

This year the conference will be over a four day period instead of three. The first day will be hosted by several weight loss surgery patients whose focus will be on motivation to achieve your weight loss surgery success. Some of these speakers you will know because they lead or run weight loss surgery sites or groups. Seminars, talks, debates and panels regarding motivation to continue ones weight loss journey will be a central theme. In addition the event focuses on weight loss surgeries and revisions, plastic surgeries, new theories regarding vitamin and nutritional deficiency in weight loss and the need to exercise precaution to ensure safety in the selection of ones surgeon. Safety will actually be one of the primary topics this coming year. For example, safety topics that will be covered include: discussing how important it is to choose certain surgeons over others, finding out what aftercare is like from previous weight loss surgery patients, and what to do when complications arise. How were these complications addressed recently? Several patients have already volunteered to host a panel discussing these particular topics.

I remember, in 2002, that surgical safety was discussed over and over on the Bandster sites and at that time Inamed, the bands' manufacturer, stated over and over to not have surgery unless the surgeon has done 50 proctored cases. We need to remind ourselves of this statement, particularly now when bypass and sleeve mortality is down due to thromboprophylaxis and staples. It's important to remind yourselves of this when picking a plastic surgeon. Do you know that there is upwards of a 35% chance of a major complication with abdominplasty and some other plastic surgeries? I didn't, and no one told me. I'll talk about this later. Updates soon.

Joanne
Coordinator of the Seattle Bash and Weight Loss Surgery Conference