The Center for Bariatric Surgery at St. Vincent Charity Hospital has launched an online video seminar, making its weight loss surgery seminars accessible at an individual's discretion and convenience. The video seminar, available online at www.stvincentcharity.com/bariatric, is approximately one hour in length and covers all of the information presented at the hospital’s public, in-person seminars, including pre- and post-surgery expectations, surgical options, patient success stories and an overview of the Center’s qualifications and comprehensive programming.

Providing complete information to potential patients is critical to the decision-making process, since weight loss surgery has many medical and psychological components.

"All credible weight loss surgery programs require education, typically in the form of a seminar, because of the comprehensiveness of the information needed to make a good decision about whether to have surgery," said Aviv Ben-Meir, M.D., FACS, Medical Director, Center for Bariatric Surgery, and Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery, St. Vincent Charity Hospital. "As one of the most experienced weight loss surgery programs in the region, we wanted to be the first to provide alternate options for meeting this requirement."

The new video seminar is designed to meet the needs of the patient. "Some people are not comfortable, or even physically able, to attend a public seminar," said Karen Schulz, RN, MSN, Executive Director, Center for Bariatric Surgery. "The video seminar provides a way for us to deliver our comprehensive program message in the privacy and convenience of the individual’s home."

The video seminar also enables the Center to educate prospective surgical candidates living in remote locations. “We now can provide more convenient access to prospective candidates who may not have access to an experienced bariatric surgery program in their area of residence,” said Schulz, adding that the Center is accustomed to caring for out-of-town candidates.

The Center for Bariatric Surgery offers several options in weight loss surgery, including Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. "It is important that individuals understand the differences, along with all aspects of required lifestyle changes, prior to making a decision about surgery," said Schulz.

According to Schulz, patients do not typically receive an appointment with a surgeon until they have completed the seminar. "It is too much information to deliver at the time of the appointment," said Schulz. “When our patients meet their surgeon, they are already well informed about what to expect in terms of bariatric surgery options, pre-surgery preparation and post-surgery recovery and lifestyle changes."

To participate in the online video seminar, visit www.stvincentcharity.com/bariatric.