Held on the first and third Thursday of each month, the group meets at 7 p.m. in the Sister Mary Louise Conference Room on the ground floor of the hospital. For further information about the support group, please call our center at (706) 481-7298. Additionally, you can register for the support group here. *Please note, Registration is not required.
Information Sessions are held at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Trinity Hospital in the Sister Mary Louise Conference Room on the ground floor. Classes begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour. Potential patients are invited to bring a family member or friend along for support. Classes are free and no registration is required. Deciding to undergo Weight Loss Surgery takes knowledge and commitment. Therefore, we encourage our patients to attend an information session. The purpose of our Information Sessions is to provide you with adequate information regarding weight loss surgeries and help you make the right decision about weight loss surgery. The sessions consist of:
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It’s normal and natural to fear surgery, anesthesia, or physical changes. But before you let these fears prevent you from having bariatric surgery, you may want to take a few moments to better understand the facts. Fear and Risks of Surgery Keep in Mind
Fear of Physical Changes For people who have spent years living with morbid obesity, bariatric surgery sounds like a lifesaver. But, some people are concerned about changing their body. It’s understandable. Your surgeon will reduce the size of your stomach so that you are able to be satisfied with less food and, depending on the procedure, absorb fewer calories and nutrients. Be sure to share your concerns with your bariatric surgeon and our program’s Psychologist. Be honest when speaking with them and tell him or her about your fears. They will be able to provide you with information to help you deal with your concerns. And Remember… Bariatric surgery is a lifelong change. Even considering it is a healthy step, because it gives you an opportunity to examine your health and your life.
After years of losing weight and gaining it back, it’s not unusual to blame yourself. However, many healthcare professionals would argue otherwise: The patients were not failures; the weight loss treatments failed them. It’s important to understand what morbid obesity is and how surgery transforms health. Bariatric Surgery: A Tool As a tool, bariatric surgery has impressive long-term weight loss results and, in many cases, has resolved or improved co-morbid conditions. Bariatric surgery is a major procedure, and recovery doesn’t happen overnight. It’s important to follow your surgeon’s postoperative recovery instructions. Discomfort and Pain You may think that recovering from bariatric surgery will be a long and painful process—but, that’s not usually the case. The majority of patients have minimally invasive, or laparoscopic, surgery. Surgeons who use a minimally invasive approach create four to five small incisions. Compared to open surgery, minimally invasive surgery offers:
If you’re concerned about pain after surgery, speak with your surgeon. Your surgeon will discuss the pain management medications that he will provide you with after the surgery. Some patients are provided with a system that allows them to control their pain medication with the push of a button. Being "Out of Commission" As with any major surgery, there will be a recovery period. Recovery periods vary from patient to patient and depend on the type of surgery you have. Laparoscopic gastric bypass patients often leave the hospital on the second day and are able to return to work in three weeks. Take the time to follow your surgeon’s instructions. And be sure to use this time to practice healthy habits, such as diet and exercise. And Remember… Your health is worth the time it takes to fully recover. Try not to rush it. After all, your body will be healing from surgery. Bariatric surgery patients are expected to commit to healthy new habits, such as diet and exercise. You won’t have to become a triathlete or figure out these new habits on your own; just follow our bariatric program’s dietary and exercise instructions. Many patients report that during the first 12 to 18 months following surgery, they enjoy a burst of energy and motivation. During this time, they are making healthy lifestyle changes such as:
These changes can be overwhelming, but they are not impossible to make. Attend a support group—you might draw inspiration from listening to other people’s stories. Start Your New Habits Today Our Bariatric Programs recommend practicing healthy habits prior to surgery. If you’re not sure where to begin or you want tips, check out Healthy Habits for Success. Many successful bariatric surgery patients say that their support network helped them maintain their new lifestyle changes. Getting Support from Family and Friends The first step in getting support is talking to your family and friends about bariatric surgery. You might find that they are completely supportive, or you might find that they are not. If they are not supportive, it may be due to fear. They may be concerned about your well-being and may think that bariatric surgery is risky. If your family or friends are unsupportive, take a few moments to talk to them further. They may only know the myths of bariatric surgery. Explain to them why you are considering bariatric surgery and share with them the Risks of Surgery and the Frequently Asked Questions. Lastly, consider taking them with you to a support group. That way, they can hear firsthand from bariatric surgery patients and learn about their experiences.
The health and medical information presented on this web site is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical care. If you have a medical question about any of this information, please consult your physician or a health care professional. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented on this web site. Trinity Hospital of Augusta and Trinity Bariatric and Weight Loss Center make no guarantee or promise, express or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of the information presented. This information is subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed to be current. |
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