MERRRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Quick introduction from me!

Welcome to the new edition of the domUK e-newsletter. in this edition I would like to highlight our subgroups

I am also keen to know how many of you have logged onto our website recently? Do you know just how informative it is?? if not check it out when you get 5 minutes!

We are keen to hear about your good practice and share information - so if you have developed a great resource or are involved in any obesity research then let us know and we will try and publish it for you in the newsletter (... next newsletter focus is how we work with commercial slimming groups.)

If you have any queries / question regarding domUK or obesity management please do not hesitate to either contact me or use the listserv.

Happy reading ...

Best wishes

Anna

spotlight on ...Obesity surgery subgroup

New guidelines have been written and published on the domUK website for your perusal and use. those written include:

1) Gastric banding - Guidelines for dietitians

An increasing number of patients are presenting in the community with a gastric band to aid weight loss. They may have had the surgery in the UK or in Europe. This leaflet is aimed at dietitians who do not work in the obesity surgery field, but who may come across these patients.

2) Gastric (roux en y) bypass and weight loss - is this the correct choice for me? A Guidelines for patients
This information includes...

Questions to consider if you are thinking of surgery

Are you ready to make changes in your lifestyle? Weight can be regained in the long term.
If you eat for comfort or because you are bored, what will you do instead?
Are you prepared to return to the place where you had surgery for follow-up?
What support does the place where you have the surgery offer? Is there a dietitian? Can you ring if you run into difficulties? How quickly can you be seen if there is a problem?
How will you cope with the changes to your body shape and the loose skin that may resultafter weight loss?

3) Gastric bypass- Guidelines for dietitians

This information includes:
Clinical Decision

The heaviest patients and the most seriously ill should be treated surgically. Other treatments should have been tried before any patient comes forward for surgery. This leaflet is aimed at dietitians who do not normally work in the surgical obesity field but who may come across a patient who wishes to know more about the effect of a gastric bypass or who has undergone a gastric bypass. The patients may have had their surgery in the UK or have travelled to Europe for it.

4) Gastric band and weight loss - is this the correct choice for me? Guidelines for patients
This information sheet includes:

Questions to consider if you are thinking of having a gastric band?

Are you ready to make changes in your lifestyle? The gastric band may help you to lose weight but only if you alter your diet and lifestyle.
If you eat for comfort or boredom, what will you do instead?
Are you prepared to return to the place where you had surgery for band refills and follow-up?
What support does the place where you have the surgery offer? Is there a dietitian? Can you ring if you run into difficulties? How quickly can you be seen if there is a problem?

5) Obesity surgery operations -guidance for patients

Making the decision to have surgery is a huge step. Once committed to surgery, there are different types of surgery to consider.

For more information log onto the domUK website.

Coming soon

The Mental Health Group and DOM UK are joining forces to deliver an exciting and innovative study day on the 11^th January 2008 at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Come along to find out more about:

Obesity and learning disabilities

Impact of medications on weight gain within mental health

Binge eating disorder

Psychosocial issues in weight management

And plenty more

DOM UK will be holding their AGM at lunchtime, all DOM UK members are welcome to attend the AGM.

More information availablein Dietetics today and DOM UK and the MHG's websites. Please contact Julia Martin to register your place (email: jules_martin@hotmail.co.uk).

DOM UK needs you

Interested in becoming more involved with DOM UK? Now's your opportunity to join the DOM UK committee. The following posts are

Best Practice Coordinator - for those of you experienced in research

External Affairs - if networking and PR is your thing

2 Ordinary member posts. to contribute to and support DOM UK projects

What's in it for you?

Opportunity for you to increase your profile in weight management

Shape and influence obesity management in dietetics

Work in a dynamic group with like minded people etc

Go to our website (www.domuk.org) to download your nomination form.

Contact Helen Croker (secretary DOM UK) on h.croker@ucl.ac.uk or 020 7679 6632 for more information.

Its time to explore the website...
Have you looked at the domUK website recently? if not log onto www.domuk.org and check out the information available. Heres a brief look into what you will find.....

info on how to join domUK
training and meeting dates
resources
info from the sub-groups
external resources of the month
professional matters (including best practice, domUK reponses to FAQ's and position statements)
soon to come our members only section

DOM UK Position Statements available for download on our website

These position statements reflect on overview of the evidence, and implications for practice, at the time of publication.

April 2005

Low Carbohydrate Diets

May 2005

Meal Replacements and Weight Management

Meal Replacements and Weight Managemen Q & As

February 2007

Very low energy diets

Also new to our website...

Dietetic Intervention resource

Developed by Clare Grace for DOM UK. The purpose of this document is to consider how to relate the NICE and other obesity related recommendations to dietetic weight management interventions for adults in the one to one setting. In so doing it develops a suggested framework for the weight management consultation that is grounded in the evidence while proposing possible practical solutions in those under-researched areas where specific recommendations are as yet unavailable. It draws on the experiences of dietetic departments that have redesigned their services as a way of illustrating the processes used and the possible outcomes that can be achieved in practice. Importantly it also identifies areas of dietetic practice requiring further research and highlights the importance of auditing dietetic weight management services to enhance our understanding of outcomes achieved and developments required

log onto the website to download this document...

Training news

The Obesity Journey - DOM UK 3 day training 2008

Venue: Knuston Hall

Dates: 21st-23rd May 2008

Cost = £395 for non members and £375 for members inclusive of accommodation, meals and event packs

For more details please register your interest with julia.domuk@hotmail.co.uk

domUK will also be releasing dates for a series of regional 1 day training event for healthcare practitioners in the very near future - so watch this space!

For other future meeting please keep a regular check on the website.