Fresno Bariatrics' Support Calendar Highlights Proper Nutrition for National Nutrition Month

FRESNO, CA, March 27, 2013 (Press-News.org) Fresno Bariatrics (www.fresnobariatrics.org) has a long history of supporting clients who have undergone bariatric surgery. This March it will highlight the messages from National Nutrition Month in its support groups and classes. Fresno Bariatrics is always looking for fresh angles to use in its support and education of clients, and National Nutrition Month is a natural time of year to remind people of their bodies' basic nutritional needs and the foods that best help meet those needs.

Many patients who undergo bariatric surgery have received very little education about basic nutritional information. According to Kelvin Higa, M.D., F.A.C.S., Program Director of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, most of the clients treated at Fresno Bariatrics are 100 pounds or more over their ideal body weight and many have health conditions like diabetes as a result of their weight. For these clients, surgery is only the tip of the iceberg. They must learn how to eat small amounts of nourishing foods. The aftercare groups are available to help with those lessons.

Fresno Bariatrics, operating from Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital, is recognized as one of the top five bariatric programs in the state of California. It is nationally recognized as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and by the Surgical Review Corporation.

Fresno Bariatrics performs many types of weight loss surgeries including the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, biliopancreatic diversion, and the duodenal switch.

Aftercare has always been a key component of their surgical procedures. The two cornerstones for aftercare are the Bariatric Patient Support Group, an educational group facilitated by a registered dietician, and the Bariatric Patient Group for Psychological Support, led by a licensed social worker with a certified bariatric nurse in attendance to offer medical and dietary input.

In March, all support groups will educate clients about the 2013 National Nutrition Month Slogan: "Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day."

The message is an important one for bariatric surgery patients to internalize because it serves as a reminder of the fact that weight loss surgery is no magic wand; bariatric clients have to make the right choices about food for the weight to come off. This month, and every month, Fresno Bariatrics staff will be available to help them explore their options and make the best choices.

National Nutrition Month is celebrated annually in March under the sponsorship of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, once known as the American Dietetic Association. The majority of the Academy's members are registered dietitians and registered dietetic technicians.

National Nutrition Month started as a weeklong event in 1973, and expanded to a month-long event in 1980 as Americans became more concerned and curious about the nutritional values of the foods they were eating. The stated mission of National Nutrition Month is to "promote optimal nutrition and well-being for all people by advocating for its [the Academy's] members."

Contact:
Kelvin Higa, M.D., F.A.C.S., Program Director of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric Program Information
15 E. Audubon Drive
Fresno, CA 93720
866-433-8558