An amazing event is poised to take place March 27-28th in Victoria BC Canada. This 2 day conference has been in the making for more than 3 years. The brain child of the non-profit BCABA (British Columbia Advocacy Bariatric Association) this 1st conference on Weight Loss Surgery is shaping up to be an extraordinary culmination of information on all the aspects of obesity and weight loss surgery alternatives.
Obesity is now the biggest health risk factor for most Canadians. With more than 55% of us classified as over weight and 1 in 5 of us actually obese, no one can ignore this terrible health challenge any longer.
Whether you’re a health professional, politician, suffering with obesity or interested in the future of health for your family and fellow Canadians, you can’t afford to miss this opportunity. In our interview with BCABA President, Kris Greene, WLS Support was astounded to discover the depth, experience and knowledge of the health professionals and Weight Loss Surgery subject matter experts who will be presenting at the conference. Continue reading 'Canadian Convention – Bariatric Surgery'»
After thoughtfully considering the recent article Is Being Fat A Disease? (Obesity), I felt compelled to offer my opinion. The short answer is yes! Obesity is certainly a disease but the patient also has an obligation to participate in their own recovery.
There has been a lot of talk about the bariatric process being impeded by the government, VIHA, and the bigotry of obese persons at the hands of family physicians and society in general. In my view this is true. But what I don’t see on the weight loss surgery discussion forums is the level of commitment and desire of obese people to change their lives prior to receiving life saving weight loss surgery. Continue reading 'The Disease of Obesity – A Personal Perspective'»
Join the forum discussion on this post
Author
Ron Merk
This question is the heart of all the problems associated with the lack or support and treatment for people with obesity. Almost all Governments consider obesity a life style choice. Life style choice equals “your fault” and “fix it” yourself.
If you’ve read my articles before, you know that I urge people to be advocates for Weight Loss Surgery reform. Certainly in Canada we have a long journey to go before we get Provincial Governments and Health Authorities to view Weight Loss Surgery as required treatment for a disease called Obesity. I’m afraid that many of us have targeted the wrong issue when it comes to weight loss surgery. Continue reading 'Is Being Fat A Disease? (Obesity)'»
VICTORIA – Adrian Dix, NDP Health Critic held a Press Conference today at the BC Legislature criticizing the Liberal Health Ministry’s acceptance of bariatric surgery budget cuts by the Vancouver Island Health Authority. (VIHA). Dix said that in talks with the Hon Kevin Falcon Minster of Health, he asked what evidence the government was using to justify VIHA’s budget cuts for weight loss by-pass surgery. Continue reading 'NDP Takes Action For Bariatric Surgery – Criticizes BC Liberal Government'»
What Could Be Done – A Simple Solution, If Only!
The statement that Morbid Obesity Kills is a statement of fact. It is not an exaggeration. Morbid obesity may lead to many medical conditions that increase the likelihood of an early death. These conditions include diabetes and kidney failure, heart problems, strokes, joint problems, fatty liver degeneration, an increased incidence of malignant tumours, sleep apnea and so on.
There are several types of surgical intervention, such as constricting the stomach with an adjustable constriction, removing a portion of the stomach or disconnecting most of the stomach from the esophagus and relocating portions of the small intestine to reduce digestive efficiency (Roux-en-Y). All are effective, and Continue reading 'Morbid Obesity KILLS – Universal Access To Weight Loss Surgery Saves Lives'»
In 2008 the BC Government put into place Patient Quality Control Boards to address health care treatment that doesn’t live up to the world class health system British Columbians should expect and are entitled to. To create these boards, the Government legislated Bill 41 – the Patient Care Quality Review Board Act which lays out the expectations and mandate that the Boards operate under.
A Quality Care Review is warranted if:
(i) the delivery of, or the failure to deliver, health care;
Continue reading 'BC Patient Quality Control Board'»
BCABA Conference – Bariatrics and Beyond: The WLS Journey – March 27 and 28, 2010
Highlights
* Diverse and celebrated panel of guest speakers.
* Many Post-ops lined up to inform attendees about their different experiences.
* More details here or click the poster below:
For costs and to Register, Go Here
To download Posters to advertise the Conference
Continue reading 'BCABA Conference – Bariatrics & Beyond The WLS Journey'»
Obesity – The Last Discrimination Stronghold
I feel discriminated against. Why? Because I’m fat or was fat. Yes, I’ve already had weight loss surgery and lost more than 145 lbs, but I still see myself as being fat. I still think of myself as one of my brothers and sisters of the new “In” discrimination crowd known as “Fat People” and frankly, I’m pissed!
For some time now society has viewed people who discriminate against others of different gender, colour, ethnic groups or religion as the lowest of low, slimy and red neck like, but it’s perfectly ok if a person is fat. In fact it appears that we’re one of the last minority groups that still faces intolerable bigotry. I’d even go so far as to say we’ve replaced most of the other minority groups that are no longer “fashionable” for bigots to show their discrimination and prejudice against. At least in the past, we were one of many groups. Now we’ve risen to the top of the list. The last Discrimination Stronghold! Continue reading 'Obesity – The Last Discrimination Stronghold'»
Great news! Our site has been picked up by Google News feed. This means all articles posted here will be added to Google’s worldwide news. No small feat! It’s a long and arduous journey to get accepted to Google News.
So what’s so cool about Google News? – Articles from Google News get picked up from main stream newspapers and publishers across the world. Google News is often sourced for research and entire articles are reprinted in various medium – including being used by TV and radio. Continue reading 'Authors & Content Contributors – Wanted!'»
The British Columbia Association of Bariatric Advocates condemns the Vancouver Island Health Authority cutbacks as being short sighted. The decision to cut bariatric surgery at a time when its access should be increased is neither sound health policy nor sound fiscal management.
Five percent of the total health budget goes to treating obesity-related illness. Despite the well-documented growing problem of obesity, despite the number of people suffering and dying (over 2000 a year in British Columbia), despite the staggering cost of obesity, it is one of the hardest medical problems to access treatment for. And it just got harder. Continue reading 'BCABA Media Release – Condemns VIHA'»
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An amazing event is poised to take place March 27-28th in Victoria BC Canada. This 2 day conference has been in the making for more than 3 years. The brain child of the non-profit BCABA (British Columbia Advocacy Bariatric Association) this 1st conference on Weight Loss Surgery is shaping up to be an extraordinary culmination of information on all the aspects of obesity and weight loss surgery alternatives.
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