National Association for Weight Loss Surgery Launches Unique Professional and Social Networking Site

March 23, 2009 - PRLog -- WILMINGTON, North Carolina - The National Association for Weight Loss Surgery (NAWLS), a leader in bariatric surgery support, announced today that it has launched a professional and social networking website for people looking to share and connect within the weight loss surgery (WLS) community.

The website, http://www.nawlsnetwork.com, is a free online resource for bariatric patients and professionals. Members are encouraged to lead and participate in forum discussions, post blogs, upload photos, and share their experiences with newfound friends.

"Last year, 220,000 people had weight loss surgery in the United States. I wanted to launch a social and professional networking site that would speak to the needs of a growing population," said the site's founder and NAWLS Director Katie Jay, who has had gastric bypass herself. "I understand the challenges of the WLS lifestyle from both the professional and personal perspectives. We all need support and to share important information. That's why I'm excited about bringing like-minded people together in a very real, personal, supportive, and fun environment."

Membership in NAWLS, the association, is not necessary to participate on the NAWLS Network, which is a separate website. NAWLS is a safe, loving, and non-judgmental community of bariatric surgery patients who struggle with weight maintenance and regain, sugar and carbohydrate sensitivity, transfer addiction, emotional eating, and eating disorders.

The association was founded in 2005 by Katie Jay, MSW and Certified Wellness Coach, who became an advocate for patient support after her surgery. NAWLS provides comprehensive and personal support including retreats and workshops, coaching, teleseminars, books, classes, and more. Katie is a nationally-recognized speaker and author, and she writes the popular weekly email newsletter, Small Bites, for WLS patients and support people called. Interested people can sign up to receive the newsletter on the main NAWLS website: http://www.nawls.com.

Contact:

Kathy Stream, Communications

kathystream@nawls.com

910-470-0756

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NAWLS Network is a new, free resource offered by the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery (NAWLS). Both NAWLS and the NAWLS Network embrace a mission to help weight loss surgery patients achieve long-term recovery from obesity and live a satisfying and healthy life; and to provide support, information, and resources to bariatric professionals and support group leaders.