Gastric Bypass Support Groups in Los Angeles

One effective way to help you reach your health and weight loss goals after gastric bypass surgery is to attend support groups in Los Angeles. For gastric bypass patients, as well as for patients receiving other surgical weight loss treatments, we offer support groups where people gather to discuss their experiences, congratulate each other on success, boost the morale of those who need it, and assist each other in the transition to a healthier life.

Support Before Gastric Bypass Surgery

We believe that support should begin well before surgery. During several preoperative consultations, our staff works with you to ensure that you are physically and mentally ready for this life-changing procedure. Support groups are an important way to maintain this connection and education after surgery, and we invite our pre-op patients to attend our support groups to learn more directly from patients who have already undergone a weight loss procedure.

The Mentor Program at Marina Del Rey Hospital

If you prefer a one-on-one approach over the group setting, we offer our mentor program, which is another effective means of support for gastric bypass patients in Los Angeles. Each gastric bypass mentor is a patient who has made weight-loss progress. After gastric bypass surgery, team support from our staff and support groups is helpful — even essential — but a one-on-one mentor relationship can make a huge difference.

Mentors know what newer patients are going through: the difficulties, the excitement, the lifestyle adjustments, the details that may not occur to someone who hasn't already had weight loss surgery. Mentors are available to provide advice, encouragement, and support for their fellow patients. We encourage our newer patients to take advantage of the mentors' experience and knowledge, and we encourage our established patients to volunteer to help guide newer patients through this experience.

Join a Gastric Bypass Support Group in Los Angeles Now!

L.A. Bariatrics at Marina Del Rey Hospital hosts several gastric bypass support groups in Los Angeles each month. Once a month, we have a support group on weekends for gastric bypass patients who have had surgery less than a year ago, and another one for patients whose operations were more than a year ago. We also have a Thursday night support meeting once a month.

Topics in gastric bypass support groups include:

• Nutrition: smart food shopping, cooking, etc.
• Exercise: ideas to help you enjoy staying active.
• Cosmetic surgery and related issues
• Timely topics, such as strategies for a healthy holiday season

The discussions in these groups are confidential, and meetings are normally facilitated by our Registered Nurse Bridgette Agee, psychologist Marylin Calzadilla, dietitian Julie Oldenburg, and physical therapist Kerry Willard-Beuth. In addition to the frank, supportive discussion, attendees will receive a new gastric-bypass-friendly recipe each month to try out at home.

We invite you to see what our support groups offer people who have had gastric bypass surgery in Los Angeles. Please visit our support group page or call (800) 491-1977 to learn more.