Weight Loss Information Session and Support Groups

The Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Newton-Wellesley Hospital offers support groups for individuals who are considering surgery, and this includes pre- or post-surgery. Learn more about the support groups below.

Regster for a free virtual patient seminar

New Patient Webinar

• These videos are required for pre-consultation patients. 
• There are video recordings explaining our program and how weight loss surgery is beneficial for treating the disease of obesity and other associated diseases, why and how it works, complications, results, etc. 
• NOTE: we do not perform lap-band surgery.

Community Support Group Meetings

• This is open to all Center for Weight Loss Surgery pre- and post-surgical patients. The group addresses all aspects of life after weight loss surgery and includes guest speakers, workshops and patient interviews. 
• Attendance is required at least once before surgery and regular attendance before and after surgery is strongly recommended. 

Fundamental Support Group Meetings

• Open to patients who are thinking about surgery, in the process, or who have had surgery within the last year. 
• This group provides unique insight into the challenges (diet, body image, food issues, support, etc.) of this post-operative stage.
• Attendance is required at least once before surgery.

Living with Weight Loss Surgery

• A virtual support group meeting open to patients 1 year after surgery who are struggling with maintaining healthy behaviors or gaining weight.

Handicapped Parking  

• Handicapped parking for meetings in the Shipley auditorium is available at the West Entrance of the Main Hospital. Directions to the campus with map showing location of Shipley auditorium. View map/directions

Attendance Requirements

Pre-operative Patients: Prior to scheduling surgery, we require our patients to attend the following three virtual support group meetings:

1. The New Patient Instructional
2. One Community Support Meeting
3. One Fundamental Support Group

This is the minimum number of meetings you need to attend. We encourage you to come to more meetings which will provide you with the most information and education available in preparation for your surgery. 

Attendance is taken to track compliance. It is your responsibility to make sure your attendance is noted by one of the Newton-Wellesley Hospital's Center for Weight Loss Surgery staff members. Always sign the attendance sheet as well.

*Weather Policy: If local schools are closed due to inclement weather the meetings are also cancelled*