Bariatric surgeries, commonly known as weight loss surgery, may refer to either gastric bypass or lap-band surgeries. Bariatric surgery has been demonstrated to be the most effective weight loss tool available for morbid obesity, however, for long term success, bariatric patients must sustain major changes in behaviors and cope with significant physical, psychological, and social issues. Biobehavioral medicine and, specifically those approaches incorporating mindfulness practices, have shown considerable promise in treating binge eating and other problems related to obesity such as elevated blood pressure, increased blood glucose and insulin resistance, depression, anxiety, and psychophysiological components of addiction. eMindful Inc, a web based mindfulness training resource, and Bariatric Partners and JourneyLite, a network of specialized outpatient weight loss surgical facilities, will pilot the 13-week Mindful Eating for Bariatric Patients program, live and online in a virtual classroom, beginnning June 2008.

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