Bariatric surgery is not just another surgical procedure. You have to make the necessary changes to achieve long-term weight loss success.
At Foothills Weight Loss in Knoxville, we know that change is not easy, especially if it means breaking the habits you have for years. This is why support groups are vital after a weight loss surgery.
Joining a support group can help you with the following:
- Validation and understanding
Your life will never be the same after going through a weight loss surgery. Although your family, peers, and loved ones will be there to support you, the kind of support and understanding from a group who knows what you’re going through would be different.
- Ongoing educational opportunities
When you make the decision to go through a weight loss surgery, you pretty much signed up for a lifestyle change. A support group can provide you with ongoing educational opportunities, whether it’s about food, exercise, or even about your body.
Some groups would invite special guests in their meetings. They are usually resource people who can help you with your new lifestyle. This includes fitness instructors, nutritionists, and cooking instructors.
- Motivation and encouragement
Support groups are usually comprised of people at different stages of their weight loss surgery. Listening to each person’s story can be a source of motivation or encouragement. On the same way, by sharing your own story, including your struggles and wins, you can also be a source of education and encouragement to others.
What to look for in a support group:
When you’re looking for a support group, you should look for one that’s:
- Regularly scheduled
- Moderated by an experienced medical professional
- Provides an optimistic environment while still encouraging stories that involve struggles or challenges
The Fort Sanders Center for Bariatric Surgery in Knoxville offers several monthly support groups for our patients following weight loss surgery. Click here to see the schedule of upcoming Support Groups: https://www.foothillsweightloss.com/for-patients/support-groups/
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