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Colleen Cook |
PINEHURST – Colleen Cook understands the lows of excessive weight and the highs of successful weight loss.
She underwent weight-loss surgery in 1995 and has since devoted herself to the education and support of weight-loss surgery patients.
On Monday, Sept. 29, Cook will bring the perspective of both weight-loss surgery patient and advocate to a special program hosted by the FirstHealth Bariatric Center. “The Celebration of YOU” reunion of FirstHealth weight-loss surgery patients will begin at 6 p.m. in the Shadowlawn Room of the Clara McLean House, 20 FirstVillage Drive, Pinehurst.
Also featured during the evening will be Curt Shelvey, himself a successful FirstHealth weight-loss surgery patient and the owner and chef at Curt's Cucina in Southern Pines. In addition to catering the event with bariatric-friendly cuisine, he will do a cooking demonstration.
Cook is the president of Bariatric Support Centers International, a company that provides education and support services for weight-loss surgery patients and the professionals who serve them. The founder and former chair of the National Support Group Network, an Integrated Health Committee of the American Society for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, she currently serves on the Membership Committee for the Obesity Action Coalition.
A sought-after speaker for both bariatric patient events and professional conferences, Cook is the former host of the radio show “Obesity's Surgical Solution.” She wrote the best-selling “The Success Habits of Weight-Loss Surgery Patients” book, workbook and educational program, resources that are used in bariatric facilities throughout the world.
The FirstHealth program will begin with a welcome and opening remarks from David Grantham, M.D., a bariatric surgeon with the FirstHealth Bariatric Center. Bariatric surgeon Raymond Washington, M.D., will introduce Cook whose program, “Nothing Succeeds Like Success,” will feature successful FirstHealth weight-loss surgery patients.
She will conclude her presentation with a book-signing.
The reunion evening will also include clothing and book swaps, and attendees will be able to visit before and after the program with representatives of FirstHealth Fitness and the Exercise is Medicine program; plastic surgeon Russell Stokes, M.D., of Pinehurst Surgical; and Hannah Cox, a licensed esthetician with Pinehurst Surgical.
There will also be door prizes and awards.
Space for the event is limited so registration is required. Anyone who would like to attend should contact Melissa Herman at (910) 715-6283 by Monday, Sept.22.
