COLUMBUS, Ind. (December 10, 2015/Coles Marketing) – During January, Bariatric Medical Director Dr. David J. Lee at Southern Indiana Surgery will hold free information sessions for those wanting to learn more about obesity and bariatric surgery.

This patient information sessions will be held at Southern Indiana Surgery, located at 2325 18th St., Suite 220 in Columbus. The sessions  are scheduled on the following dates:

· Tuesday, January 12, 5:30 p.m.
· Tuesday, January 26, 5:30 p.m.

According to Dr. Lee, the session will cover the causes of obesity, trends and quality of life issues. The sessions will also explore misconceptions about bariatric surgery, surgery options including the LAP-BAND® System, REALIZE® Band and sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass, lifestyle implications and whether the surgery is covered by insurance.

To qualify for bariatric surgery, patients must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35 and have significant weight-related conditions; or have a BMI over 40 without weight-related conditions. Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of obesity. Bariatric surgery is more than weight-loss surgery; it is a lifestyle change for overweight patients to improve their quality of life.

To register for a free information session or for more information about bariatric surgery, interested individuals can now register online at www.columbusbariatrics.com or call the Bariatric Center at 812-418-3512. If your insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery, please ask about various financing options for the entire procedure or portions of it. Walk-ins are welcome.

Founded in 1976, Columbus-based Southern Indiana Surgery, Inc. is a regional leader in surgery procedures including vascular, bariatric, comprehensive breast treatment, laparoscopic, trauma, lung and gastroenterology surgery. Seven board-certified surgeons utilize the latest in technology to provide patients with high-quality, cost-effective care in a community-focused environment.