Registered Dietitians are available through St. Mary's Nutrition Outpatient Center to help with meal planning post-operatively.

Click here for Informational meetings with Commonwealth Surgeons

Click here for Informational meetings with Richmond Surgical Group

You are welcome to attend any of the following support groups to assist you in reaching your weight loss goals. During our meetings we provide emotional and behavior support for members trying to make significant lifestyle changes in their health. We provide nutritional education and assist members to make appropriate food choices. In addition, members will learn a number of problem solving methods relating to postoperative eating behaviors, food choices, physical activity and coping with the changes bariatric surgery involves.

The following support groups are available for you to take advantage of:

1st Thursday of the Month: Open to all maintenance patients, those seeking to lose the last 20-40 lbs, and for those struggling with maintaining their weight loss. This group offers additional support to you and reaching your goals and maintaining your new lifestyle.We meet from 6:30 – 8:00 PM Room 163. Appropriate for both lap band and gastric bypass patients.

2nd Thursday of the Month: Forever Thin Support Group. Open to all surgical weight loss patients whether you are thinking about gastric by pass surgery, just had surgery or you are five years out from surgery, it is an opportunity to learn more from other members. Family members and friends are also welcomed to this meeting. We meet from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Room 164.

3rd Thursday of the Month: Open to all new posst-op patients (one year or less) looking for some emotional support, what to eat, how to get the protein in. Then this is a meeting for you. We will help you adapt your new eating behaviors into your life. We meet from 5:30 – 6:30 PM Room 163. Appropriate for both lap band and gastric bypass patients.

4th Thursday of the Month: Open to all pre and post-op patients wishing to learn more about proper nutrition and supporting your weight loss goals. We meet from 6:30 – 8:00 PM Room 163. Appropriate for both lap band and gastric bypass patients.

2nd Mondays of the Month: Open to all lap band patients or individuals considering the surgery as a tool for weight loss. This is a new group being offered for the first time. We meet from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Room 164.

Our support groups are staffed with professional staff and seasoned surgical weight loss members to assist you on this journey. Remember in our support groups you will meet people who really understand what your life has been like and what your life can be like. You will find the meetings enjoyable, inspirational and motivational. The only cost to you is your time.

If you have any questions or suggestions about support groups, would like to contribute to the newsletter, or you would like to share your story at support group, please contact Irene Zolotorofe at 281-8090 or by email at irene_zolotorofe@bshsi.org.

Support Group Speaker Schedule 2009

Shopping Trips (You must register for all shopping trips with either Julie Thompson or Irene Zolotorofe):

All patients are required to attend an Informational Lecture hosted by one of our surgeon’s offices. During this time you will have the opportunity to meet the surgeons and their staff and get your questions answered about weight-loss surgery. For your convenience, the meetings are held throughout the day and evening, please click below for a schedule of meeting times. The meeting generally lasts for 2 hours. There is no cost for this lecture only your time. You may bring a family member or your support person; however, please no children.

Click here for Informational meetings with Commonwealth Surgeons

Click here for Informational meetings with Richmond Surgical Group

Choosing weight-loss surgery is a major life-altering decision that requires your initiative and commitment. The Informational Lecture is the first step in this process and gives you an opportunity to find out if weight-loss surgery is right for you. You are under no obligation to move forward with surgery unless you desire to go to the next step. No one will contact you after the meeting, it is up to you to schedule an individual consultation with a surgeon to move to the next step.

• Background information on obesity
• Causes, co-morbidities and criteria for surgery
• Surgical treatments
• Possible risks and complications
• Potential benefits
• Insurance Issues
• Summary / Questions and Answer

Gastric Bypass - April 2008

Adjustable Band - April 2008

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