Weight Loss Information Session and Support Groups

Choosing to have bariatric surgery is a big decision, but with the Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, you are not alone. Attend one of our support groups for individuals who are considering surgery, pre- or post-surgery. Learn more about the support groups and find the schedule below.

• Types of Support Group Meetings
• Attendance Requirements
• Meeting Schedule
• Location and Parking Information

Types of Support Group Meetings

New Patient Instructional Meetings:  

• These meetings are designed for pre-consultation patients. The surgeons take turns presenting this program and focus on how weight loss surgery is beneficial for treating the disease of obesity and other associated diseases, why and how it works, complications, results, etc. 
• You should know in advance that 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

• Open to patients 1 year after surgery who are struggling with maintaining healthy behaviors or gaining weight.

Handicapped Parking for meetings held in Shipley Auditorium:  Handicapped parking is available at the West Entrance of the Main Hospital.

Attendance Requirements

Pre-operative Patients: Prior to scheduling surgery, we require our patients to attend three 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*

Meeting Schedule

In- person support group meetings are cancelled ( virtual meetings only until further notice)

In order to protect the health and safety of our patients and staff due to the COVID-19 virus we will be cancelling all in person support group meetings for the Center for Weight Loss Surgery indefinitely. Please contact the office at 617-243-3724 with any questions. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.  If you are a new patient you may access our virtual meetings by calling the office to have a link sent to you.

Location and Parking Information

All meetings take place in the Shipley Auditorium located on the second floor of the Main Hospital unless otherwise specified.

Directions to Shipley Auditorium
Turn off of Route 16 at the West Entrance to the Main Hospital. Drive up the driveway with the parking lot on your left. Take the West Elevators or South Elevators off of the Main Lobby of the hospital to the second floor and follow the signs to the Cafeteria. Shipley Auditorium is located on the left directly past the cafeteria.

Parking
All support group attendees may park in the visitor lot located at the front of the hospital or the garage at the entrance by the traffic light. 

Handicapped Parking for Meetings Held in Shipley Auditorium
Handicapped parking is available at the West Entrance of the Main Hospital.

Please do not park in the Emergency Department garage.