Patient Education Seminars are held twice a month on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Greeley Medical Clinic lower level conference room. Patrice Johnell, RN, Bariatric Program Coordinator, presents the seminars to give patients and others a comprehensive foundation of knowledge about all aspects of our program and the surgical treatment for morbid obesity.

• Prior attendance at one seminar is required of all patients with appointments to see Patrice and Dr. Johnell.

• Patients who live more than an hour away from Greeley may waive the seminar if there is great difficulty in coming for one.

• Individuals who do not have an appointment with the nurse or doctor may attend a seminar by calling (970) 378-4433, and reserving a space.

• Patients and attendees may bring a family member or friend, but please call the office to reserve the space for them.

• Greeley Medical Clinic closes at 5:00 PM, but the building is accessible through the “Urgent Care” doors on the south side All doors are locked at 7:00 PM.

• The lower level conference room is directly below Urgent Care on the South side of the lower level. Stairs are located inside the building by Urgent Care. Elevators are located on the north end of the main floor.

The seminar consists of seven sections: The Introduction, The Power Point Presentation, The Discussion, Question and Answer Section, Getting in The Best Possible Shape for Surgery, The Informed Consent, Final Questions, and Adjournment and Collection of Patient Packets.
Topics for each session are listed below:

1. Introduction to Northern Colorado Centerfor Bariatric Surgery
Introduction of Team
Who We Are; Dr. Johnell’s History (CV)
What Sets Us Apart
History of The Program
Total Number of Cases to Date
Incidence of Complications and Death.to Date
Our Philosophy on Obesity; And Treatment of Obese Patients
Handouts

2. Power Point Presentation
Obesity & Morbid Obesity, Definitions, & Prevalence
Health and Psychosocial Consequences of Morbid Obesity
BMI and Ideal Body Weight
Who is a Surgical Candidate-The Screening Process
What Are the Old and New Surgical Procedures
Comparing and Contrasting Lap-Band vs. Gastric Bypass
Typical Improvement in Health Problems With the GBP
Typical Post-op Timeline for Getting Back to Work & Normal Activities- Lap-Band vs. Gastric Bypass
Early and Late Complications of Lap. Gastric Bypass Statistics
Complications Associated With Lap-Band
Expected Outcomes
Weight Loss Outcomes for Each Procedure

3. Discussion, Questions & Answers
The Laparoscopic Procedures – Who is Not Eligible for This Technique
Insurance & Program Fee
How Soon Patients Can Have Surgery
Open Forum

4. Getting in the Best Possible Shape for Surgery
Exercise Prescription
Target Heart Rate
Aerobic Programs
Antioxidants
Vitamins & Minerals
Recommended Vitamins
Stopping Smoking
Maintaining Your Weight (Or Losing Weight if Possible)
Birth Control Pills & Hormone Replacement Therapy
Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (pre and post surgery)
Antidepressant
Seeking Psychological Help

5. Informed Consent--Lap-Band & Gastric Bypass

6. Final Questions

7. Adjournment & Collection of Patient Packets

GASTRIC BYPASS SUPPORT GROUP

The gastric bypass support group meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, (unless a major holiday falls on a meeting day) from 6:30-8:30 PM in the Greeley Medical Clinic lower level conference room. Groups are led by three of our team members: two RNs who are gastric bypass patients, and a medical social worker from North Colorado Medical Center. The first Monday’s meeting often features a guest speaker or an educational component, and the third Monday’s group is designed to provide an uninterrupted, open forum for patients to share stories, ask questions and offer and receive emotional support.
Former guest speakers include fitness and exercise experts, dieticians, bariatric nurses, counselors, health food store owners, and psychologists. Support groups are available to patients who have had surgery through other programs, if it is too difficult to attend meetings associated with those programs. Patients from outside programs will need to call the Surgery Department and ask to speak with Connie or Patrice, to talk about coming to groups.
All patients who already have appointments set up with Patrice and Dr. Johnell, but have not had their appointments yet, are still welcome to come to Lap-Band or gastric bypass support groups to get a better idea of whether weight loss surgery is right for them.

Please Note:

• Greeley Medical Clinic closes at 5:00 PM, but the building is accessible through the “Urgent Care” doors on the south side All doors are locked at 7:00 PM.

• The lower level conference room is directly below Urgent Care on the south side of the lower level. Stairs are located inside the building by Urgent Care. Elevators are located on the north end of the main floor.

LAP-BAND? SUPPORT GROUP

The Lap-Band support group meets on the first Tuesday of each month, (unless a major holiday falls on a meeting day) from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Greeley Medical Clinic lower level conference room. Groups are led by one of our RN team members. Some meetings include guest speakers, other meetings are active forums for patients to compare experiences, share stories, and provide encouragement to patients who are contemplating having surgery, or on the surgery schedule and counting down the days.
All patients who already have appointments set up with Patrice and Dr. Johnell, but have not had their appointments yet, are still welcome to come to Lap-Band or gastric bypass support groups to get a better idea of whether weight loss surgery is right for them.

Please Note:

• Greeley Medical Clinic closes at 5:00 PM, but the building is accessible through the “Urgent Care” doors on the south side All doors are locked at 7:00 PM.

• The lower level conference room is directly below Urgent Care on the south side of the lower level. Stairs are located inside the building by Urgent Care. Elevators are located on the north end of the main floor.