Bariatric Partners, Inc. and JourneyLite Sign Agreement with World's First Bariatric Chef, Dave Fouts.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Bariatric Partners, Inc., headquartered in Charlotte, NC, announced today that it has signed an agreement with the world's first bariatric chef, David Fouts, to serve as Executive Chef for each of Bariatric Partners, Inc.'s specialty ambulatory surgical centers across the United States, operating under the brand name JourneyLite(SM).

"Chef Dave is undisputedly the most respected bariatric chef in the world, and we're thrilled to be able to share his knowledge, expertise, and culinary skills with our patients all across the country," said Jamie Carr, Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations for Bariatric Partners, Inc. "In his role as Executive Chef with JourneyLite, Chef Dave will participate at our live support group meetings, sponsored events, and will have a strong online presence on the new JourneyLite website which will launch later this month," stated Carr. "At JourneyLite, we know that patient education and behavior modification are key to someone's success. As an organization, we are committed to providing the best resources available to those participating in our program. When it comes to teaching about making healthy food choices and how to best prepare foods for the bariatric patient, Chef Dave is hands-down the best," said Carr.

Fouts received his degree in Culinary Arts from the Florida Culinary Institute and went on to apply his culinary skills in a five star, five diamond resort, at a vegetarian health institute, and as personal chef for a private family. In 2002, Fouts, at five feet, eight inches tall and nearly 400 pounds, underwent weight-loss surgery, lost over 200 pounds, and has never looked back. "I believe I bring a compassion and understanding to JourneyLite patients because I've walked in their shoes. I know what it's like to live with morbid obesity - the struggle, the frustration, the discrimination - and I know what it's like to overcome," stated Fouts. "The practical life skills we are sharing at JourneyLite are essential to long-term success and I'm honored to be associated with the JourneyLite program."

Prior to joining JourneyLite, Fouts served as Executive Chef at U.S. Bariatric Management Institute in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he oversaw and directed the bariatric culinary program for several years. After relocating to Oklahoma, he took on a similar role with Foundation Bariatric Affiliates. In addition, he has worked with such motivational speakers in the WLS field as Barbara Thompson, Colleen Cook and Carnie Wilson. He is the author of Culinary Classics and Cookwise with Chef Dave, and is a contributing author of Weight-Loss Surgery for Dummies. He is a featured writer in WLS Lifestyles magazine and has been featured at weight-loss surgery conferences and events all across the country. To date, Fouts has worked with over 30,000 bariatric patients.

"Clinical excellence and outstanding patient education and support services are critical to our growing leadership position in outpatient laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB)," stated Edmund C. Bujalski, Chief Executive Officer of Bariatric Partners, Inc. "Chef Dave brings a robust background and a passionate commitment to patient education in this new role with JourneyLite. We are delighted that he has joined our team."

About Bariatric Partners, Inc.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bariatric Partners, Inc. is a national for-profit healthcare company that specializes in partnering with leading bariatric surgeons across the country to provide minimally invasive surgical treatment for the disease of obesity. Bariatric Partners, Inc., along with its physician partners, owns and operates specialty ambulatory surgical centers - branded under the name JourneyLite - in key markets across the United States. All JourneyLite facilities focus primarily on the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) surgical procedure for the treatment of obesity. Further information about Bariatric Partners, Inc. may be found online at www.bariatricpartners.com.

About JourneyLite

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, under the parent company of Bariatric Partners, Inc., JourneyLite is a leading provider in the United States of surgical treatment for obesity through laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The goal of JourneyLite is to provide the highest quality patient surgical experience along with the most comprehensive patient aftercare programs available in the marketplace today. JourneyLite patients may receive LAGB support services at any facility across the country, regardless of the site of surgery. Information about JourneyLite may be found online at www.journeylite.com.