Alton Memorial Hospital is beginning a monthly support group for bariatric patients. The group will meet from 5-6 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month, beginning Jan. 26. Due to the recent COVID-19 surge, the group will meet online via Zoom.
To register for the meeting, contact dietitian Naomi Ward, RDN, LDN, at 618-463-7742 or [email protected]. The Zoom link will be sent out to participants two days before each meeting.
“I have been wanting to do this for some time,” said Ward. “The more bariatric surgeries we have at the hospital, the greater the need is for a support group. I have outpatients ask me weekly about a support group. I just want our patients to know that we are here for them. We want them to succeed in every stage of their bariatric journey from the beginning to the end. We want to see anyone who is interested in the weight loss surgery, as well as patient who have already had the surgery. This can be motivational as well as a learning experience for everyone.”
Topics for the first three meetings will be:
- Jan. 26 -- Mindful Eating & Diet Progression after Bariatric Surgery
- Feb. 23 -- Dumping Syndrome following Bariatric Surgery
- March 23 -- Bariatric Success Stories
Alton Memorial began offering a bariatric weight loss program in 2020. The program includes a gastric sleeve surgical procedure as well as physical therapy, nutritional and behavioral support. Dr. Matthew Musielak was instrumental in getting the program started at AMH and performs the surgeries.
“Dr. Musielak really likes the idea of the support group,” Ward said. “We spoke about getting speakers periodically for this group, and also about him possibly giving seminars occasionally to discuss the different surgeries and what is needed to get the surgery.”