Let’s face it: support groups have a bad reputation. Whenever somebody says “support group,” it conjures up images of group hugs, trust falls and singing songs around a campfire. Every day, it seems like some new support group is springing up. In fact, I just saw a new support group for people who go to too many support groups, and another one for people who can’t stand support groups. But, the big question is: Why do you, a bariatric patient, need a support group?
There are two basic reasons: First, a support group is made up of people who understand what you’re going through. You don’t have to explain yourself like you would with someone who hasn’t gone through the process of preparing for, undergoing and living with the results of bariatric surgery. This in itself is incredibly stress-reducing, particularly when you don’t have to go into detailed explanations of what’s going on. The people in the support group get it, and many will offer helpful suggestions or solutions.
Need proof? Try this experiment: Tell someone who doesn’t know about bariatric surgery that you had a bad episode of “frothing” last night, and see how he or she responds. Then, come to our support group, say the same thing, and see what kind of responses you get. Compare the results. I think you’ll find the response you get from the support group a lot more helpful.
The second reason you need a support group is that it provides the right reference group. A reference group is a group of people with whom you compare yourself. These are the people you try to be like. Before, during and after surgery, your lifestyle has changed. Without a support group, you’re likely to start comparing yourself to people who haven’t had surgery and people who haven’t made the changes you’ve made. As a result, you’ll gradually start doing the things they do, because you don’t want to be different. As this happens, the changes that you’ve made start to erode away and the weight you’ve lost will start to come back.
But don’t just take my word for it. Research has shown that bariatric patients who regularly attend support groups do significantly better at maintaining their weight loss long-term than bariatric patients who don’t.
There are several good online support groups. Interestingly, I have heard about most of these in our own Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Support Group at Flagstaff Medical Center, which takes place on the first Wednesday of every month in the Bariatric Clinic lobby at 1050 N. San Francisco St., Suite B. There are two groups; one at 3:30 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. You don’t need to make a reservation, and you can bring a friend.
On behalf of my colleagues and support group members, I look forward to seeing you at our next support group meeting! QCBN
Is Weight Loss Surgery the Right Option?
Weight loss surgery is major surgery, not to be taken lightly. It is not a “magic bullet,” but a tool to use alongside dietary and lifestyle modifications. Flagstaff Medical Center’s Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Center helps patients prepare well in advance of their surgery. The team at FMC guides patients to make behavioral changes before and after surgery, including exercise, eating habits and fluid and vitamin intake. Surgery is not a guarantee. The success of each patient’s surgery depends on the patient’s commitment to a lifelong change in eating and exercise behaviors.
If you are considering weight loss surgery, FMC’s Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Center invites you to attend a free information session prior to making an appointment with our surgical staff. Information sessions are held the second Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 1175 W. Route 66 in Flagstaff. These sessions include a presentation by our surgical staff regarding the causes and health complications of obesity, as well as the types of surgeries available. To register, call 928-214-3737. To learn more about FMC’s Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Center, visit FMCBariatrics.com.
John B. Martin, Ph.D., is a psychologist who works at the Bariatric Surgical Weight Loss Center at Flagstaff Medical Center.
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