Weight Loss Seminars

Experts in treating obesity at the UCSF Bariatric Surgery Center and Weight Management Program host free monthly weight loss seminars for prospective patients and the general public. Registration is not required.

Seminars provide an overview of obesity as well as treatment options, including surgery. Our experts help patients choose the most effective treatment for obesity and "morbid" obesity, a term used when obesity poses a risk for serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Morbid obesity also is defined as being 100 pounds or more over your ideal weight or when you have a body mass index of 40 or more.

Each seminar covers the following topics:

• Obesity, including the medical definition of obesity, causes, impact on general health and potential health complications.
• Gastrointestinal physiology and nutrition, including food absorption and portions, calorie density and exercising.
• Medical, or non-surgical, treatment for obesity and morbid obesity.
• Surgical treatment for morbid obesity, including types of procedures, complications and short-term and long-term outcomes.

Lectures are given by weight loss experts including weight loss surgeons and nurses from our Bariatric Surgery Center, doctors and dieticians from our Weight Management Program and specialists in gastroenterology and psychiatry. Experts answer questions from the audience and provide information on how to make appointments at our Bariatric Surgery Center and Weight Management Program.

Our Weight Management Program offers customized weight management plans including weight loss techniques, dietary plans, exercise programs, behavior modification, support groups and educational lectures.

Our Bariatric Surgery Center offers several bariatric surgery procedures, including laparoscopic gastric bypass or stomach stapling, laparoscopic gastric band and laparoscopic sleeve or vertical gastrectomy. To help patients lose weight and maintain that weight loss, the center also provides nutritional and support groups, educational lectures and long-term follow-up care.

For more information on seminars, call the UCSF Bariatric Surgery Center at (415) 353-3619.