SALINAS, CA.— If you are looking into weight-loss surgery and need information from professionals, Natividad Medical Center is hosting a series of seminars and support groups in 2018.

Weight-loss surgery is one of those major life decisions that can help spark a lasting change in your lifestyle.

All patients need to attend a seminar before surgery can be scheduled. For many patients, this will be their first step in looking into weight-loss surgery.

In addition, Natividad hosts monthly support groups to help post-surgery patients make their lifestyle changes stick. Support groups are a great place to network with other weight-loss surgery patients, ask questions of the nurse and registered dietitian. Research has shown that patients who regularly attend support groups take off more weight and keep it off better than patients who do not.

Seminars are held from 5:30-7 p.m. the third Thursday of each month in the Natividad Conference Room (behind the gift shop) at the hospital. The meetingwill provide basic information about weight-loss surgery and describe next steps in pursuing weight-loss surgery.

Weight-loss surgery classes will be held:

• Jan 18th
• Feb 15th
• Mar 15th
• Apr19th
• May 17th
• Jun 21st
• Jul 19th
• Aug16th
• Sep 20th
• Oct 18th
• Nov 15th
• Dec 20th

Weight-loss surgery support groups meet in the outpatient surgery registration area from 5:00-7:30pm on the fourth Tuesday of each month (December support group meets one week early) on the following dates:

• Jan 23rd
• Feb 27th
• Mar27th
• Apr 24th
• May 22nd
• Jun 26th
• Jul 24th
• Aug 28th
• Sep 25th
• Oct 23rd
• Nov 27th
• Dec 18th

The best-informed patients make the happiest patients.

For more information on the classes and weight-loss surgery in general, go to www.nmcweightloss.com/learn-about-surgery/information-seminar/.

About NMC Weight Loss Surgery:
Natividad Medical Center has been offering weight loss surgery to the members of our community since 2009. The team at Natividad Medical Center feels strongly that obesity is a serious, and often treatable, medical condition. They strive to give you the tools you need to make a lifestyle change that leads to better health. They are committed to offering continued medical and nutrition support during your weight-loss journey.

Natividad Medical Center is particularly proud of its accreditation as a Comprehensive Center in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program through the American College of Surgeons. This accreditation is only possible through our absolute commitment to excellence and safety.

Natividad Medical Center has also been recognized by Blue Cross/Blue Shield as a Blue Distinction Specialty Care hospital in bariatric (weight-loss) surgery. These hospitals offer more affordable care in addition to having demonstrated quality care, treatment expertise, and, overall, better patient results.