NCMC plans fair for people interested in weight-loss surgery

GREELEY, Colo. (July 14, 2009) — People who want to learn more about weight-loss surgery or who have already had bariatric surgery should plan to attend the Bariatric Health Fair on Aug. 10 at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley.

The event, sponsored by the NCMC Bariatric Center, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. in NCMC Auditorium A and B.

At the fair, you can visit with representatives from the makers of the equipment used in REALIZE™ and LAP BAND® surgeries. Also, an exercise specialist will demonstrate exercise equipment that can be used in your home.

For people considering bariatric surgery, experts will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. They also will conduct intake appointments if someone wants to schedule an initial consult or talk about emotional eating.

Guests can visit the NCMC pharmacy booth to learn about products available for the bariatric patient and can sample protein or vitamin shakes and powders.

Exercise specialists will provide interactive exercise tools with a Wii Fit for guests.

In 2005, NCMC received the industry’s highest distinction, the American Society of Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. Patients travel from throughout Colorado and many surrounding states to work with the team at NCMC.

Michael Johnell, M.D. is renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive surgery. In 2006, he trained for robotically assisted surgery and began using the daVinci™ robot to perform many of the bariatric cases. He has been a general surgeon since 1985 and has performed thousands of laparoscopic procedures during his career. He has currently limited his practice to focus on the needs of bariatric patients.

To learn more about the surgical options available through NCMC’s Bariatric Center, please visit www.bannerbariatrics.com. To get more information about the fair, call Sylvia Stager, Outreach Program Manager at (970) 378-4436.