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Full Event Agenda
Bariatric Retreat 2023
Thursday, November 2
3:00PM-5:00PM
Registration/ Swag Bag Pickup – Windmill Foyer
7:00PM-9:00PM
Welcome Party – Luckenbach Pavillion
Friday, November 3
8:00AM-9:00AM
Workout: F.A.B. Fitness (Dance) – Independence Lawn
Instructor: Alycia Graham
Who’s ready for a F.A.B. Fitness class! Alycia will show you that fitness is indeed F.A.B – “for all bodies!” (And we hear there might be a mini twerkshop included…)
9:00AM-10:00AM
Morning Proffee Break – Independence Foyer
10:00AM-11:30AM
Opening Remarks & Fashion Show – Independence Ballroom
Hosted by Nerissa and Chris Stewart
Werk that runway, Bestie! The Bariatric Retreat Fashion show is BACK! Strut your stuff and cheer on your friends!
11:30PM-12:30PM
Brunch – Independence Lawn
12:30PM-1:15PM | Breakout Sessions
Room A: WLS in the Black and Brown Community
Panel: Henry Baker, Monique Coleman, Johanna Navarro, Chris Stewart
In this Q&A-style panel, we will dive into the stigmas in the Black and Brown community around weight loss surgery. What are the unique differences in this community? Why aren’t we talking about it? Who should be in your support system? How can we share with loved ones? We’ll discuss it all here!
Room B: Meal Planning in the Maintenance Phase
Presenter: Jeannie Boyer, RD
Does it sometimes feel like the only way you can maintain your weight loss is by evaluating every single bite of food? You didn’t have surgery to be completely consumed by food, you had surgery to live better! In this session, Jeannie will introduce you to a new way of thinking about the long term and help you build a personalized system to stay on track while freeing up brain space to enjoy everything else going on in life.
1:30PM-2:15PM | Breakout Sessions
Room A: Boundaries Brainstorm: Navigating the Holidays as a WLS Patient
Presented by BariNation
Panel: April Williams, Natalie Tierney, Jason Smith, Lora Grabow LMSW (Moderator)
The busiest time of year is quickly approaching – are you prepared for the upcoming holidays and celebrations? Join the BariNation co-founders for a workshop focused on identifying possible holiday hot-spots and brainstorming ways to lower the temperature. Let’s work together to create our perfect holiday “recipe” for success!
Room B: Ten Tips for Packing Flavor and Nutrients into Your Meals
Presenter: Megan Moore, RDN, CD
Feeling like you’re stuck in a rut with food? Having trouble meeting your nutritional needs? In this presentation, you’ll learn how to pack in more nutrients and bring more flavor to your food with simple cooking and meal prepping tips.
2:30PM-3:15 PM | Breakout Sessions
Room A: Plastic Surgery After WLS
Panel: Desiree Mize, Rob Spinella, Nerissa Stewart
Considering skin removal, tummy-tuck, or any other plastic surgery procedure after weight loss surgery? Join this Q&A-style panel post-surgery patients.
Room B: Navigating Love & Relationships in the WLS Journey
Presenter: Rodolfo Alvarez
During their weight-loss journeys, bariatric patients experience changes in their bodies, mindsets, and relationships. These transformations impact how they connect with other individuals and their sex drives. In this class, we will explore how to approach this process of change and the keys to boosting sexual well-being.
3:30PM-4:30PM
Workout: Beginner Not Basic Yoga
Presented by BariNation
Instructor: Leanne Nagle RYT 200
Join Leanne for a deep stretch! This beginner level yoga session is for all levels and abilities, concentrated on seated yoga poses because yoga is for everybody and EVERY BODY.
Saturday, November 4
6:30AM-9AM
Bariatric Society Retreat 5K – Golf Course
10:00AM-10:30AM
Breakfast Break – Independence Foyer
10:30AM-11:15AM
General Session – Emotional Eating: What are you Really Hungering for?
Presenter: Lora Grabow LMSW
Emotional eating is the number one reason people regain lost weight after WLS. In this interactive workshop, Lora will help patients understand what we’re really hungering for – belonging, connection, self-love, and self-acceptance. Come join Lora and other patients to learn how to satisfy your hunger in healthy ways.
11:30PM-12:15PM | Breakout Sessions
Room A: Meditation for Mindful Living after WLS
Presenter: Marquilla Bolden
How do we become present in this “new body” post WLS? Learn how to LIVE in your body – perhaps for the very first time – with meditation coach, Marquilla. This interactive session will teach mindful movement and eating, and how to start a meditation practice.
Room B: Maximizing Nutrition and Your Dollar After WLS
Presenter: Samuel Tambeaux, RD
Manage your bariatric nutritional needs without breaking the bank! Get tips and tricks from a bariatric RD in everything from meal planning to grocery shopping to meal preparation with the goal of optimizing your nutrition after weight loss surgery while on a budget.
12:30PM-1:30PM
Lunch – Independence Lawn
1:30PM-2:15PM | Breakout Sessions
Room A: Mental Health & Transfer Addiction After WLS
Panel: Sarah Smith MHR, MSW, LADC, ICAADC, MCAP, CRPS (moderator), Jovanna Browne, Rob DiMedio, and Tabitha Johnson LMFT, LCADC
Mental health after weight loss surgery can be incredibly tricky. Join this panel discussion with our incredible bariatric patients and esteemed mental health professionals (who afre also patients!) to learn how patients cope, find support, and heal after surgery.
Room B: Romancing the Bariatric Body
Presenter: Desiree Robinson
There are many benefits of bariatric surgery including an increase in the sexual quality of life for many people. With that in mind, there is also a pocket of folks who still struggle with self-esteem, body image, and sexual self-image. In this workshop, we will start the process of (re)engaging our erotic identities – body, mind, and spirit!
2:30PM-3:15PM | Breakout Sessions
Room A: Movement & Macros for the Bariatric Athlete
Presenters: Rob DiMedio and Kim Tirapelle, RD
Whether you’re a fitness newbie or live at the gym, Rob and Kim are here to help you understand how to begin or improve your exercise journey, find sustained success on your plan, and teach you how to best fuel your body for your fitness goals.
Room B: The Body Budget: A Habit Tracking Workshop
Presenter: Christine Garton, M.Div., MACE, CPC
The Body Budget tracks 10 key areas of a person’s life that impact their motivation levels, eating and drinking habits, coping behaviors, daily actions, emotional responses, and long-term weight loss success. Join this session to set your body budget and learn how to stay on track.
7:00PM-10:00PM
Prize Gala & Afterparty – Independence Ballroom & Lawn
Sunday, November 5
8:00AM-9:00AM
Workout: Dance Fitness With Monique – Independence Lawn
Instructor: Monique Coleman
Celebrate the amazing things your body can do and join Monique for a cardio dance fitness class to start your day!
10:00AM-11:00AM
Goodbye Brunch – Aunt Mary’s Lawn