Samantha Grider, NP, at Southern Indiana Surgery will hold a free information session for those wanting to learn more about obesity and bariatric surgery. 

This patient information session will be held at Southern Indiana Surgery, located at 2325 18th St., Suite 220 in Columbus. The session is  scheduled for:

· Tuesday, May 23, 5:30 p.m.

According to Samantha Grider, NP, the session will cover the causes of obesity, trends and quality of life issues. The session will also explore misconceptions about bariatric surgery, lifestyle implications, insurance coverage and surgery options including the LAP-BAND® System, REALIZE® Band, sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

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.