Our Weight Loss Surgery Support Program


Our support program is the #1 reason for our excellent weight loss results. Our program stresses education, follow-up, and ongoing, personalized support. The goal is to successfully help patients establish and maintain the habits that will enable long-term weight loss success.

We provide the following types of support:

  • Follow-up Appointments
    Regular follow-up appointments are essential to ensure appropriate weight loss progress after surgery.
    Gastric Banding - We see patients every 2-3 weeks after surgery until the band is adjusted appropriately and weight loss is at least 1-2 pounds per week. We then see patients less frequently as weight loss continues (every 4-8 weeks).
    Gastric Bypass & Gastric Sleeve - We see patients 6-8 times during the first year after surgery and at least annually thereafter.

  • Group Support
    Our group support options help patients to stay focused and motivated to maintain the necessary lifestyle changes over time.
    Support Group Meetings - We offer weekly support group meetings moderated by one of our licensed healthcare professionals. See our support group schedule below.
    Online Chat Group - We moderate an online chat group 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.
    Emotional Eating Group Sessions - Our weight loss surgery psychologist moderates small group sessions focused on helping patients to manage emotional triggered eating, which can impact weight loss.

  • Individual Support
    Our individual support options provide more focused, personalized support.
    Registered Dietitian - Our dietitian provides nutritional education and support to patients before and after surgery. She helps patients as necessary with dietary planning, food journaling, food label reading, etc.
    Psychologist - Our psychologist is available both before and after surgery to help patients understand and manage emotional eating.

  • Educational Support
    Our educational options help patients learn to use weight loss surgery in the correct manner.
    Healthy Cooking Class - We teach healthy cooking techniques, and share the finished creations.
    Nutrition Class - We teach the rules of eating after surgery and strategies to follow these rules.
    Newsletter - We publish a regular newsletter to educate our patients about a variety of pertinent topics.

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


    Weight Loss Surgery Support Group Meetings

    Support Group Meetings
    Coordinator: Allison Merriman, MMSc., PA-C
    When: Mondays 6-7:30 PM
    Where: Alternate between Brea and Orange


    Brea - Oliak Center Office (1rst/3rd/5th Mondays monthly)
    2nd Floor Conference Room (Suite 203)
    255 W Central Ave
    Brea, CA 92821

    Orange - Chapman Medical Center (2nd/4th Mondays monthly)
    Boardroom (next to lobby)
    2601 E Chapman Ave
    Orange, CA 92869


    Weight Loss Surgery Online Chat Group

    Subscribe to OliakCenter chat group