Behavior
Management Services |
Group Support at the OCC
The Obesity Consult Center understands that
the actual surgery and weight loss are just the beginning
of a complex process of change that starts before the surgery
and continues well after the weight loss finally stabilizes.
New social demands, personal goals, job changes and psychological
issues are all impacted by the surgery and subsequent weight
loss. To support our patients in reaching their goals, several
specific types of groups are made available to bypass patients.
The OCC Fitness Lecture
Series
We believe that our best results are with
our most educated patients. Your initial introduction to
the program will consist of our weekly lecture series, which
will cover nutritional, behavioral, medical and surgical
aspects of obesity and weight loss. A specialist from our
clinical staff will present the lecture and lead the discussions
that follow.
Lectures are presented every Thursday evening
all year long and members of your support system
family, close friends and companions are all invited
to accompany you.
The Behavior Change Group
Our program is demanding
of both you and the clinical staff.
We want to do everything we can to
ensure a successful, long-term outcome.
To this end, once you have had your
first individual intake sessions with
one of our Psychologists, we may
decide that a sharpening of your skills,
pre-operatively, may enhance your
chances of success.
We offer a 6-session weekly 'Behavior Change' group
led by a member of the behavioral team. These are
small, closed groups, the purpose of which is to impart
valuable skills to help you make necessary behavioral
changes, develop healthier habits, and cope more effectively
with emotional concerns.
We offer an 8-session weekly Behavior
Change group led by a member of the behavioral team.
These are small, closed groups, the purpose of which is
to impart valuable skills to help you make necessary behavioral
changes, develop healthier habits, and cope more effectively
with emotional concerns.
Post-Operative Support Groups
As part of the Obesity Consult Center commitment
to the success of the patient, the first year after the
bypass surgery is devoted to both individual follow-up visits
as well as small group support sessions. Led by a trained
behavioral therapist, these groups meet once a month starting
soon after the surgery and cover many of the social, behavioral
and psychological issues which rapid changes in weight and
lifestyle demand. Where there is a specific need, special
groups may form to address common interests. For example,
the OCC makes available a mens group, a Lap-Band group
and other special interest groups as the need arises.
Individual visits
On rare occasions, a patient may
find that coming to the group session
may be an unavoidable hardship due
to job or distance. While
we feel that the group experience
is important to overall success in
the program, in a few cases our behavioral
staff will meet with you individually
for behavioral counseling. This
may apply to both pre-op preparation
and to post-op support.
|