Dameron Hospital | Health Outlook | Spring 2019

dameronhospital.org 3 Learn to live your best life Samarkandy, MD, Bariatric Surgeon. What makes this program unique is the team-based approach to care that is confidential, compassionate, and tailored to each patient’s needs and lifestyle. “My role as a surgeon is to provide patients with a tool to help them reduce their overall caloric intake,” says Dr. Samarkandy. “However, that is just one part of the solution. The rest of it has to do with helping patients with the lifestyle changes and commitment to ensure their weight loss and health improvements are sustainable for the rest of their lives.” Ongoing support To encourage healthy, long-term weight loss, the program provides ongoing support from physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and educators. In addition, a support group provides a forum for participants to address questions, receive education and share life-changing experiences. “Our monthly support group meetings are lively and well-attended,” says Emerald Heldt, RN, Bariatric Coordinator at Dameron. “These sessions not only help patients overcome any obstacles to hitting their target weight, but they also help them maintain their success for the rest of their lives. So many inspiring stories and positive relationships are developed through our support groups.” Dameron offers free monthly seminars to help people decide if bariatric surgery is right for them. At the seminars, they will get to meet Dr. Samarkandy, learn more about our comprehensive medical approach to weight loss, and get their questions answered about the program and the surgical options available. LIVE WITHOUT LIMITS! For more information or to register for a seminar, call 209-944-5550 or visit dameronhospital.org/bariatrics . BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY PROGRAM Tarig Samarkandy, MD, Bariatric Surgeon WITH easy access to food options in our community, it’s no wonder many people find themselves dealing with weight management and obesity. Once you find yourself at that point where your weight is causing health issues and has become a barrier to leading a fulfilling life, you know something has to be done. But for many people, losing weight and keeping it off is extremely difficult, especially when they try to do it on their own. Maintaining a healthy weight is so important to our health, and seeking medical assistance can be a crucial step in weight management. Tailored to you Dameron Hospital’s Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Program provides comprehensive and personalized support for successful weight loss that changes lives. Services include weight-management education, behavior modification therapy, and the option of gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery. “We combine innovative surgical solutions and comprehensive support to help people successfully overcome their obesity and achieve their health and lifestyle goals,” says Tarig