There’s a pervasive myth in popular culture that bariatric surgery is a sort of magic wand for health: Once you undergo weight loss surgery, your excess pounds magically disappear, never to return.
The truth is that bariatric surgery is simply a platform for success. The patient still must commit to living a healthy lifestyle and deal with the realities of their body post-surgery. It’s not always easy, and the caring providers at Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management understand this – which is why the Center for Weight Management offers every aspect of long- and short-term care, including support groups.
Support groups deliver an invaluable dimension of assistance, one that makes a real difference to the overall success of the patient’s health.
“Patients that attend support groups stick with a healthy lifestyle better, because they gain strength from each other,” said Center for Weight Management Bariatric Service Line Manager Amy Smith, MSN, RN, CBN. “People in our support groups develop a bond with each other and hold each other accountable; there’s a real sense of, ‘If you can do it, I can do it.’ And sometimes that makes all the difference.”
Leadership at the Center for Weight Management, such as surgeon Dr. Robert Richard, FACS, recognized this from the outset, and that is why surgeons in the clinic stipulate that bariatric surgery patients attend at least one group session. Because there is nothing quite so valuable than helping and receiving help from people who are undergoing the same significant life changes.
“Dr. Richard established several of these types of programs from the ground up because it keeps people engaged and encouraged,” Amy said. “A lot of people make a real connection in these groups; they’ll become, ‘surgery sisters,’ for instance and make sure they’re getting what they need to succeed – whether that be emotional support or something like time at the gym or the right diet.
“We have people who have made lifelong friends from these groups and hang out with each other. It’s really special to see.”
Almost every week, the clinic offers the opportunity for patients to gather with each other and a team member or experienced facilitator to find solutions, harden their resolve, share their victories and find the support they need from others facing similarly life-altering situations.
Whether it be sessions on healthy cooking and recipes, behavioral focus, or exercise, there is something for everyone, and patients respond to the offerings – whether it be in person or online.
“We have about 2,500 patients in our Facebook support groups and 75-130 patients per month sit in our sessions live. Many more watch our sessions later, after we share them on our social media pages,” Amy said.
Providing for all aspects of weight loss and healthy living support is part of the Center for Weight Management’s commitment to the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). As an accredited member of MBSAQIP – Longstreet is accredited for obesity medicine, adult bariatric surgery, and adolescent bariatric surgery – the center must attain the highest standards of safety and quality.
Providing support groups and the information and encouragement that these groups deliver only adds to the overall patient experience and helps ensure long-term success.
“The behavioral health component really sets us apart,” Amy said. “We even have a gala once a year for patients and providers, where people get dressed up and make a big deal out of the successes they’ve had. We have 130-150 people come, and they just love it.”
That caring attention is just part of the Center for Weight Management’s dedication to helping its patients in every manner possible, and while it’s no magic wand, the all-encompassing approach only increases the chances for real success.
If you are interested in learning more about our approach to weight health, know that all meetings are free for Longstreet Clinic Center for Weight Management patients. To learn more about meeting times or reserve your spot, please contact us today at 770-534-0110, as space is limited.
