Sacred Heart Medical Center: Oregon Bariatric Center

Support Groups

The Oregon Bariatric Center offers three support groups for patients based on the type and timing of surgery.

Support Group Options

Support Group 1: The Newcomers
This group is dedicated to the needs of our patients before surgery and during the first 6 months post-operatively.

Meeting day & time: The 2nd Monday of the month from 6-7:30 p.m.

Month & Day	Topic	Guest Speaker(s)
June 9, 2008	Plastic Surgery: Is it for me?	Dr. Movassaghi, MD
July 14, 2008	What’s new in bariatric surgery?	Karlyn DeBow, RD
August 11, 2008	Bariatric Resources: Websites, Cookbooks & more	Erin Tucholke, RD

Support Group 2: The Masters
This group is dedicated to the needs of our patients who had surgery 6 months ago or longer.

Meeting Day and Time: The 4th Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30 p.m.

Month & Day	Topic	Guest Speaker(s)
June 24, 2008	Dining out after bariatric surgery	Rosemary Parnell, RN
July 22, 2008	What’s new in bariatric surgery?	Karlyn DeBow, RD
August 26, 2008	Bariatric Resources: Websites, Cookbooks & more	Erin Tucholke, RD

Support Group 3: The Bandsters
This group is dedicated to the needs of our patients before and after LapBand surgery.

Meeting Day and Time: The 2nd Wednesday of the month from 6-7:30 p.m.

Month & Day	Topic	Guest Speaker(s)
June 11, 2008	Psychological Challenges after Bariatric Surgery	Sharon Reaundeau, PhD
July 9, 2008	LapBand successes	Patient panel
August 13, 2008	Emotional Eating	Jen Tolman, PhD

Meeting Location
All support group meetings are held in Conference Room 3 B in the basement of the PeaceHealth Medical Group Main building located at 1162 Willamette Street Eugene, Oregon.

Parking and Directions
Free parking is available in the lot in front of the clinic (the South side of the building). Participants should not park in the Urgent Care parking lot located on the north side of the building. The classroom is most easily located by using the elevator just inside the Willamette Street clinic entrance under the large Pharmacy sign.

Attendees
Patients who have had or are considering bariatric surgery through the Oregon Bariatric Center are encouraged to attend support group. Patients’ support people are also encouraged to attend. While other family members are welcome, childcare is not available and young children should be left at home.

Group Facilitation
All groups are led by a staff member from the Oregon Bariatric Center. Group facilitation may be alternated among staff members of the Oregon Bariatric Center, all of whom are educated about bariatric surgery. Group leadership by the Oregon Bariatric Center staff is provided to: guide group discussion, monitor information discussed for accuracy, encourage balanced group participation, answer questions, identify individual patient problems that may require follow-up and maintain time limits.

Purpose and Content
Support groups are designed to provide encouragement and education for patients both before and after bariatric surgery. Each meeting includes an opportunity for individual sharing, a discussion topic and an opportunity to ask questions. This is not the forum to discuss individual issues such as insurance coverage or scheduling of surgery. Guest speakers are frequently scheduled.

Agenda

Approximate Time	Item
6:00 –6:05 p.m.	Welcome, announcements, housekeeping issues
6:05-6:30 p.m.	Introductions and opportunity for individual sharing and questions
6:30-7:15 p.m.	Discussion topic or guest speaker
7:15-7:30 p.m.	Question and answer session
7:30 p.m.	Adjourn