21 51 Annual Meeting American Society for Bariatric Surgery San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, USA June 12-18, 2004 Dear Colleague, [t is my pleasure to invite you to this year's ASBS Annual Meeting in my hometown, San Diego, California, June 12- 18, 2004. As our Society has grown over the past several years, we have become one of the most important specialties in all of medicine. Our meetings have become bigger and better, and thi s year proves to be the best ever. For the first time our meeting is large enough to be in the San Di ego Convention Center. The headquarters hotel, the San Diego Marri ott, is one of San Diego's most beautiful hotels, located ri ght on the waterfront. We have worked hard to present a plenary session second to none while inviting stimulating thought leaders for in vited lectures. Pay close attenti on to the schedul e as the format has changed somewhat to accommodate our expanding courses and social events. [f thi s is your first or twenty-first meeting, please jo in us for this opportunity to learn , network and sociali ze in one of the most beautiful cities in the world . Alan C. Wittgrove, MD Presid ent GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSE EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES Paper presentations of the most current research and I. To prepare physicians and support staff to define, in vited lectures promote the exchange of information di scuss and solve specific problems in the treatment and ex periences between those practiced in bari atric of morbidly obese patients in order to achi eve surgery and newcomers to the field. The primary goal maximum long-term safety and effectiveness. in this ongoing learning process is continual 2. Increase the comprehension of the development and improvement in the ri sk-benefit ratio for the patients. use of new techniques to achi eve weight loss by TARGET AUDIENCE surgery in the morbidly obese. 3. Familiarize participants with a broad area of patient care services. The conference is designed for a ll clinical and 4. Provide participants with the skill s to identify and academi c surgeons and support staff, including any health professional involved in the care of the morbidly understand the specific needs of bariatric patients obese patient, who wish to increase their knowledge of and assist in targeting their care in a coordinated the surgical and peri-operative management of medical team effort. morbidly obese patients. 2 www.asbs.org American Society for Bm'iatric Surgery San Diego Convention Center, site of the annual meeting, are over 100 restaurants from suave steakhouses and The American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) is eclectic ethnic fare to dinner clubs and sultry jazz bars, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing intermingled with dance and drink. Also within walking Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing distance is world-class shopping, which is varied from medical education for physicians. The ASBS designates sprawling discount outlets to quaint upscale boutiques. the continuing medical education activity for up to 3 1.0 For the family, there are the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, credits in Category 1 of the Physician's Recognition Wild Animal Park, and LEG OLAND, and don't forget Award of the American Medical Association. Each Balboa Park, one of the nation's largest cultural phys ician should claim only those hours he/she spent in complexes. the educational activity. Nursin g credits (up to 21.5 contact hours) are provided by Taylor College, Los The headquarters hotel for the annual meeting is the Angeles, Cali fornia (may not be accepted for national beautiful San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, located certification.) next to the San Diego Convention Center and directly on the sparkling San Diego Bay. The conference rate li sted EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER below is available until May 7, 2004 (or the room block is full, whichever comes first), after which, the The pnmary purpose of this conference is education. conference rate wi ll no longer be in effect. Please book Information presented, as well as publications, early. For reservations you may call Marriott technologies, products, and/or services discussed, are Reservations at 800-228-9290 or contact the hotel intended to inform you about the knowledge, techniques, directly at 619-234-1500, or you may fax the reservation and experiences of bariatric surgeons who are willing to form available in this brochure. You must mention you share such information with co ll eagues. A diversity of are a bariatric surgery conference participant in order to professional opinions exists in bariatric surgery, and the receive the conference rate. views of the conference's faculty are offered solely for educational purposes. Faculty's views neither represent Conference Rate Cityview Bayview those of the ASBS nor constitute endorsement by the Single/Double Occupancy: $ 189 per night $209 per night Society. The ASBS declaims any and all li abi li ty for Additional Person(s) $ 20 per night $ 20 per night damages to any individual attending this conference and for all claims, which may result from the use of AIR TRAVEL DISCOUNTS information, publications, technologies, products, and/or services of the meeting. Faculty disclosure statements Delta Ai rlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines have been requested from the speakers and wi ll be and World Class Travel are the official carriers and presented in the conference materials. agency for the meeting. Everyone participating in the 21 51 Annual Meeting of the ASBS, including family AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES members and guests, is eligible for airfare discounts. ACT STATEMENT You will receive a 10% discount off the lowest fa re and 15 % off the full fare if you book your flight 60 days prior The ASBS wishes to take those steps to ensure no to departure. After the 60 day deadline you can still take individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, advantage of a 5% discount off the lowest fare and 10% segregated, or otherwise related differently because of off fu ll fare. Fares good June 10-21 ,2004. To book your the absence of auxiliary aids and services id entified in the fl ight contact World Class Travel at 800-771-3100, Americans with Disabilities Act. lfany such services are Monday through Friday (9:00 am - 6:00 p.m. EST). necessary in order to participate in the Conference, Please identify yourself as a bariatric surgery conference please communicate your needs in advance. participant. LOCATION AND LODGING FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE ASBS OFFICE . San Diego is California 's second largest city, where the blue skies keep watch on 70 miles of beaches and a Phone: 352-331-4900 gentle Mediterranean climate begs for a day of Fax: 352-331-4975 everything and nothing. Within walking distance of the E-mail: [email protected] www.asbs.org 3 American Society for Bariatric Surgery 7th ANNUAL ASBS FOUNDATION EVENT Monday, June 14, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Monday, June 14, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Take a Walk on the Wild Side and support your ASBS Foundation's educational efforts. (See Join us for the ASBS kick-off reception on the ASBS Foundation Insert for ticket information.) East Terrace of the Convention Center overlooking the beautiful San Diego Bay. Mix, ANNUAL RECEPTION AND DINNER DANCE mingle and enjoy a view of the bay and Coronado Wednesday, June 16, 7:00 pm - 12 midnight Island that is breathtaking. Dress casual or in your The Reception and Dinner Dance will be held in favorite surf outfit. Sunshades will be provided. the Marina Ballroom of the San Diego Marriott. Please note: ticket is requiredfor entry. Enjoy an evening of dining, entertainment, Guest tickets may be purchased for $35.00 each. fantastic live music and dancing. (Plenary Session and/or Allied Health General Please note: ticket is required for entry. Session registrants are entitled to a complimentary Guest tickets may be purchased for $70.00 each. (Plenary Session registrants are entitled to a ticket to the Welcome Reception.) complimentary ticket to the Annual Reception and Dinner Dance.) TOUR PROGRAMS PASSPORT TO SAN DIEGO'S CENTERPIECE A LOOK INSIDE THE GREATEST SHOW Tuesday, June 15, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm ON EARTH: The San Diego Zoo Behind the Balboa Park is the lush centerpiece of San Diego's Scenes Tour unique collection of culture and fun. Nestled Tuesday, June 15, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm OR between the city's bayside skyline and the Wednesday, June 16, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm sparkling Pacific, this captivatingly beautiful park Located in beautiful Balboa Park, the 100-acre is home to major museums, gardens, attractions, World-Famous San Diego Zoo was founded by Dr. and -the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Buildings Harry Wegeforth in in the park possess a decidedly Spanish flair, as 1916. This colorful many were constructed for the Panama-California and extremely - Exposition of 1915. Their charm and character enterprising San Diego lend a timeless feel to the park 's expansive and physician started the well-rrianicured landscape. The Park is actually a collection with a series of botanical gardens, leading up to the verdant, handful of animals left tropical oasis that contains the San Diego Zoo. over from the Panama­ (See Tour Program Insert for ticket information.) California Exposition. Today, the San Diego Zoo cares for more than 4,000 individual animals representing 800 different species. Its collection of animals, as well as its plant collection of over 6,500 species, is acknowledged as one of the finest in the entire world. 4 www.asbs.org American Society for Bariatric Surgery Come to a timeless place where the surroundings also features rather fashionable restaurants, many are as exotic as the animals, and the adventure featuring spectacular views of the nearby coast.