Marina S. Kurian, MD: Dr. Marina Kurian grew up in New York City and attended Stuyvesant High School. She graduated summa cum laude with a BS degree from Union College and received her MD from Albany Medical College. Dr. Kurian completed her General Surgery training at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. She completed fellowships in Surgical Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Surgical Critical Care at Children's Hospital of Michigan at Wayne State University. Dr. Kurian is Board Certified in both General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. She received advanced laparoscopic training at Mount Sinai Medical Center and started her practice in July 2000. She brought the technique of laparoscopic weight loss surgery to Lenox Hill Hospital and continues to keep the weight loss program at Lenox Hill Hospital at the highest caliber. As a recognized expert in the field of obesity surgery, she has spoken at many national and international meetings on the topic of obesity. She is the author of many articles and book chapters on laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Kurian is active in the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). Barbara Thompson: Barbara Thompson is a gastric bypass patient, author, professional speaker, and national spokesperson for obesity sensitivity. She battled a weight problem from the day she was born. When she finally admitted to herself in her late twenties that her baby fat was turning into a serious problem, she began dieting earnestly, only to diet her way to morbid obesity. Over her adult life she experienced the very common pattern of losing weight, regaining it, and adding a few additional pounds. When her weight reached 264 pounds and a herniated disk in her back was causing her to face disability, she knew she was in trouble. She decided to have the life-altering gastric bypass surgery in January 2000 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Barbara Thompson is a national speaker on weight loss surgery, obesity sensitivity, and getting control of your life and is the author of Weight Loss Surgery: Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You. She hosts the patient Web site www.wlscenter.com. Brian K. Davidson: Mr. Davidson is the cofounder and publisher of WLS Lifestyles magazine, a must-read publication for those who are researching, considering, or have had weight loss surgery. Brian has been featured on television, spoken at various industry events, and consulted with leading industry professionals and patients. He has authored several articles for the weight loss surgery community. He is a passionate advocate and dedicated to improving obesity awareness and increasing public education for this devastating disease. Brian can be contact via the WLS Lifestyles Magazine website at www.wlslifestyles.com
