Support groups improve outcomes after weight loss surgery
Support groups are vital to the long term success of bariatric surgery. Recent studies show that patients who attend support groups at least monthly have better weight loss and struggle less with weight regain. Support groups are meant to help the patient stay on track, get inspired and learn from others’ struggles and achievements.
Attending support groups are as important as regular follow-up with your surgeon. Support groups provide accountability, the latest information on nutrition and new ways of incorporating a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, poorly run support groups fail patients because they do not meet their needs. Understandably, many patients feel that support groups are just not for them. This leaves patients struggling with weight regain and nowhere to turn for help.
Comprehensive, patient-centered support
We understand the concerns many patients have about support groups and created a support program that patients actually wanted to attend. We wanted to give every patient the opportunity to make the most of their bariatric surgery. We teamed up with Griffin Hospital to create a truly unique support program that includes bariatric exercise classes, support groups, nutrition classes and the On Track Workshop.
If you have never attended a support group or have been disappointed in the past, you may want to give the monthly On Track Workshop a try. The On Track Workshop is engaging, informative, motivating and (dare we say?) fun. It gives patients the opportunity to be real, to try out new things, to be vulnerable, to be excited, and to not be alone with the struggles of weight loss surgery. We see no need to segregate Lap-Band from Gastric Bypass patients to those who had a Gastric Sleeve – ultimately, the long term goal of a healthy lifestyle is shared by everyone, regardless of the type of weight loss surgery. Every On Track Workshop addresses three key components of a healthy lifestyle:
1. exercise
2. bariatric diet and nutrition
3. spiritual and mental well-being
We do so with fun exercise classes (really!), cooking demonstrations and gentle, open-minded support. It is not about doing something right or wrong, but about finding ways to find balance to achieve the best outcomes.
Find Out More
Please come and give it a try! We welcome all patients and their family and friends and look forward to seeing you there! The On Track Workshop is held every third Saturday morning of the month. Register to save your spot for the next On Track Workshop: Saturday, August 20th, from 9 AM to noon. Please contact Kim Fisher, the Bariatric Care Specialist, to learn more about comprehensive, patient-centered support at Griffin Hospital in Connecticut.
References:
The Skinny