We invite you to visit the websites of these respected organizations for more information about bariatric surgery and the surgical treatment of obesity.

American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)
(www.asmbs.org)
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) is the largest society for this surgical specialty in the world. Founded in 1983, some America's foremost bariatric surgeons have formed and participated in the society's leadership and have established an organization whose emphasis is on education and support programs for surgeons and allied health professionals.

American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Foundation (ASMBS Foundation)
(www.asmbsfoundation.org)
The ASMBS Foundation is a non-profit organization established to raise public and professional awareness about morbid obesity and bariatric surgery through education, research, treatment and prevention. As the organization's largest fundraiser, the annual Walk from Obesity^SM has raised over $1.6 million in the past five years under the primary volunteer-basis direction of Jamie J. Carr, Bariatric Partners' Vice President of Operations. Most recently, Ms. Carr has been assisted in those fundraising efforts by Kimberly P. Taylor, Bariatric Partners' Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy. They serve as national chair and national vice-chair for the Walk from Obesity respectively. Both Ms. Carr and Ms. Taylor serve as National Advisory Board Members to the ASMBS Foundation, and Ms. Carr will continue to serve as a Board Member of the ASMBS Foundation through 2008.

Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)
(www.obesityaction.org)
Most recently, the OAC has joined together with the ASBS Foundation in order to strengthen its mission of the elevating and empowering those affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support.

Bariatric Advantage
(www.bariatricadvantage.com)
Bariatric Advantage® provides a complete line of nutritional supplements that have been specifically formulated to meet the unique demands of both the pre-operative bariatric surgical candidate, as well as the post-operative bariatric surgical patient.

WLS Lifestyles Magazine
(www.wlslifestyles.com)
This national quarterly publication is the leading printed resource for pre- and post-operative bariatric patients. The magazine is written by leading experts in the field of bariatrics and provides inspiration, education, and support of the pre- and post-op weight-loss surgery patient. Each issue is filled with information on diet, exercise, body, mind & spirit, plastic surgery, insurance issues, before & after success stories, and much more. Bariatric Partners, Inc. is pleased that three of our key team members, Jamie J. Carr, Kimberly P. Taylor, and Ellen Bell, are all contributing writers for this leading national publication.

Obesity Help
(www.obesityhelp.com)
ObesityHelp.com offers information for pre- and post-op bariatric patients concerning specific surgeons and hospitals based on patients' personal experiences, and is a tremendous resource to those seeking information regarding surgical weight-loss solutions for the treatment of morbid obesity. The website provides a program of support and education as well as assistance in locating whatever resources it takes to overcome the life-threatening disease of obesity.

American Obesity Association (AOA)
(www.obesity.org)
The American Obesity Association is the only organization currently focused on changing public policy and perceptions about obesity. The mission of the AOA is to act as an agent of change, move society to re-conceptualize obesity as a disease, and to fashion appropriate strategies to deal with the epidemic.

Weight-Control Information Network (WIN)
(http://win.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm)
The Weight-Control Information Network (WIN) is an information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). WIN was established in 1994 to provide the general public, health professionals, the media, and Congress with up-to-date, science-based information on obesity, weight control, physical activity, and related nutritional issues.

World Health Organization (WHO)
(www.who.int/topics/obesity/en/)
WHO's website provides links to descriptions of activities, reports, news and events, as well as contacts and cooperating partners in the various WHO programs and offices working on obesity.