Our Weight Loss Surgery Support Program


Our support program is a key reason for our excellent weight loss results. Our program stresses education, frequent follow-up, and ongoing support personalized to each patient's individual needs. The goal of our support program is to successfully help patients establish the habits that will enable long-term weight loss success.

Read below about the types of support we offer:

  • Weight Loss Clinical Advisor
    Patients have a clinical advisor who oversees their weight loss progress after surgery. The advisor will make recommendations regarding follow-up and support if deemed necessary. The advisor also functions as the contact person for questions regarding weight loss and support.

  • Follow-up Appointments
    Patients are scheduled for frequent appointments as necessary. Generally patients are seen every 2 weeks until weight loss progress is established. Thereafter less frequent appointments (4-6wk intervals for band, 6wk-3mo intervals for bypass) are scheduled.

  • Support Group Meetings
    We hold weekly support group meetings to help patients to stay motivated and on-track with their weight loss. All meetings are moderated by one of our licensed healthcare professionals. See our support group schedule below.

  • Behavior Modification Workshops
    These workshops teach patients how to follow the eating and exercise rules that are necessary for weight loss success. We teach behavior modification techniques that make the rules easier to successfully incorporate into patients’ lifestyles.

  • Online Chat Groups
    We moderate online chat groups so we can easily communicate with our patients, and so our patients can communicate with each other. The chat groups allow online support 24/7. See sign-up instructions below.

  • Nutritional Support
    We provide nutritional education and support to patients before and after surgery. We help patients as necessary with dietary planning, food journaling, food label reading, etc.

  • Psychological Support
    Our psychologist sees patients before and after surgery, and is also involved in helping to formulate a personalized support plan for patients. Our psychologist is also available as necessary to help patients with other psychological concerns that may arise.

  • Emotional Eating Support Group Meetings
    These meetings focus on helping patients to overcome emotional triggered eating, which can impact weight loss. The moderator is a therapist who has had weight loss surgery herself. See the meeting schedule below.

  • Exercise Challenge
    We organize exercise challenges periodically to encourage our patients (and staff) to become more active.


    Weight Loss Surgery Support Group Meetings

    Motivational/Educational Support Group Meetings
    Coordinator: Allison Merriman, MMSc., PA-C
    When: Mondays 6-7:30 PM
    Where:

    Chapman Medical Center
    Board Room (adjacent to lobby)
    2601 East Chapman Avenue
    Orange, CA 92869

    Coordinator: Melissa Bailey-Arizpe, PsyD
    When: 1rst/3rd Wednesdays 6-7:30 PM
    Where:

    Western Medical Center
    Basement Conference Room
    1001 North Tustin Avenue
    Santa Ana, CA 92705

    Emotional Eating Support Group Meetings
    Coordinator: Elsie Echevarria, MFT
    When: 2nd and 4th Wednesday every month 6-7:30 PM
    Where:

    Chapman Medical Center
    Board Room (adjacent to lobby)
    2601 East Chapman Avenue
    Orange, CA 92869


    Weight Loss Surgery Online Chat Groups

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