Support Groups and Resources
Support Groups
Join other weight loss surgery patients and candidates for weekly discussions, support and education. The support groups offer discussion of a variety of topics including dietary issues, meeting the challenges of life without using food as a stress reducer (stress eating), the importance of fluids and physical activity. Topics are presented by the center's Registered Dietician, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Program Coordinator. Patients can learn new ways to help themselves be successful, reinforce things you are doing which are helping you lose or maintain your weight, and provides an opportunity to meet and gain emotional support from others in similar situations. The overall goal of the support groups is to provide a warm, caring environment for the exchange of information and to encourage and support each participant in their program to lose weight and then to maintain their ideal weight.
Pre-op Peer Support Groups
Prepping for Change
Educational meetings for all patients preparing for weight loss surgery. This series of 8 weekly meetings will help prepare you for the lifestyle changes required for success with surgery. All patients must attend at least one meeting (attendance verified) prior to clearance for surgery. Choice of topic to be determined by patient, unless otherwise specified. Meetings are free of charge, parking is validated, no reservations required.
All Pre-op Peer Support Groups are held in:
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
West Medical Office Tower
Conference Room - Suite 665W
8635 West 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Dates below from:
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Parking is validated for Lots 1, 2, and 4. There is no validation for parking in the Medical Office Towers parking lots.
| Week 1: | Strategies for Changing and Maintaining New Habits |
| Week 2: | Grocery Shopping: Being a Smart Consumer |
| Week 3: | Exercise Routine: Where Do I Start? |
| Week 4: | The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Relationships |
| Week 5: | Eating Survival Skills |
| Week 6: | Emotional Eating: Managing Head Hunger |
| Week 7: | Identifying and Managing Behavioral Sabotage |
| Week 8: | Setting Yourself Up for Success: Tips for Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated |
Prepping for Change 2013 Meeting Dates:
| Date | Topic |
| May | |
| 5/1 | Emotional Eating: Managing Head Hunger |
| 5/8 | Exercise Routine: Where Do I Start? |
| 5/22 | Eating Survival Skills |
| 5/29 | Emotional Eating: Managing Head Hunger |
| June | |
| 6/12 | Setting Yourself Up For Success: Tips for Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated |
| 6/19 | Strategies For Changing and Maintaining New Habits |
| 6/26 | Grocery Shopping: Being a Smart Customer |
Post-op Peer Support Groups
On The Right Track
Education and peer support meetings for anyone after weight loss surgery. These monthly meetings will help with adjusting to and maintaining healthy lifestyle changes to ensure long-term success. Meetings are free of charge, no registration is required, parking is validated.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
West Medical Office Tower
Conference Room - Suite 665W
8635 West 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Dates below from:
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Parking is validated for Lots 1, 2, and 4. There is no validation for parking in the Medical Office Towers parking lots.
2013 Meeting Dates:
| Date | Topic |
| May 14: | Dining Out: Healthy Tools and Tips |
| July 9: | Changing Your Food Environment to Support Your Healthy Lifestyle |
| August 13 | Adjusting to a Change in Body Image |
| September 10 | What To Do If You Get Off Track |
| October 8 | Effective Record Keeping: A Tool for Long Term Success |
| November 12 | Ideas for Managing the Stress in Life |
| December 10 | Eating Strategies for the Holidays |
Resources
For more information about weight loss surgery, read the Weight Loss Surgery Process and Guide.
For More Information
To learn more, please contact Center for Weight Loss, at 310-423-8350.
