NJ Gastric Bypass Surgeons Hold Free Weight Loss Seminar for Prospective Patients

Between the thousands of Web sites and chat rooms on the Internet and the books and news stories about Gastric Bypass, Lap Band and REALIZE Band surgery, it’s hard for people considering weight loss surgery to separate the facts from fiction regarding these procedures. Dr. Ajay Goyal, FACS, Director of Bariatric Surgery at Overlook Hospital and lead surgeon at the New Jersey Bariatric Center, recommends attending an educational weight loss surgery seminar given by a board certified surgeon as the best way to get the facts about weight loss surgery.

“Educational seminars give people considering weight loss surgery a chance to speak directly with the surgeon and multi-disciplinary team in a relaxed setting,” says Dr. Ajay Goyal, FACS, New Jersey Bariatric Center. “This low pressure environment is the best way to learn directly from the surgeon about the different surgical options – Gastric Bypass, Lap Band and REALIZE Band, understand how weight loss surgery will aid in weight reduction as well as learn about the process patients will follow before and after surgery in order to maximize weight loss.”

Below are five reasons why prospective weight loss surgery patients should consider attending an educational seminar:

1. Learn the Facts and Bust the Myths

Most people considering weight loss surgery have done extensive research on the subject from talking to friends to checking out various Web sites. Research is important, it gives potential patients a baseline for what to expect from Gastric Bypass, Lap Band and REALIZE Band surgery. However, the abundance of information can often lead to confusion and unintentional misunderstandings regarding weight loss surgery. New Jersey Bariatric Center seminars will give the facts on what’s real and what’s not, as well as answer all the questions prospective patients have accumulated through research.

2. Learn from the Experiences of Current Weight Loss Surgery Patients

There are some questions even a surgeon can’t answer, such as how patients will feel when they wake up after surgery to what did it feel like to get a Lap Band or REALIZE Band adjustment. Educational seminars give patients a chance to speak one-one-one with other patients who’ve undergone weight loss surgery. Attendees will learn about how their health improved, including improvement in conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea, as well as the success and the challenges of pre- and post-surgery.

3. Get Tips on How to Maximize Weight Loss

The journey to a healthier lifestyle begins before surgery. At the seminar attendees will learn tips on how to begin weight loss now, such as cutting out liquid calories from diets and the importance of low impact exercise. It’s important to start good habits before surgery to put patients on the road to maximizing weight loss after surgery.

4. Small Group Setting Fosters Discussion

It can be intimidating to ask questions when in a room of 50 to 100 people. That’s why the New Jersey Bariatric Center limits their seminars to 20 to 25 people. The small group setting gives people more one-one-one time with the surgeon and current patients, and fosters an environment of open discussion.

5. Motivate Patients to Start a Weight Loss Program

Listening to the inspiration stories of current patients, learning about weight loss tips and getting the answers to the questions patients have had about surgery are for many motivating in itself to begin to lose weight. Whether a guest of the seminar will move forward with surgery or not, they will learn that they are not alone on this journey to lose weight and get healthy. And, if they decide weight loss surgery is right for them, they will have the support of the New Jersey Bariatric Center’s multi-disciplinary staff of nutritionists, psychologists, exercise experts and fellow patients as they start down the path to a healthier lifestyle.

Anyone considering weight loss surgery may join a free educational seminar in 2009:


Overlook Hospital, Summit, NJ, 7 p.m.
• October 13
• November 10
• December 8

Family Practice Center, Hoboken, NJ, 7 p.m.
• October 29
• November 19
• December 17

Contact Information

Dr. Ajay Goyal

Director

New Jersey Bariatric Center

Contact via E-mail