Support Groups

We have two regularly scheduled support groups that meet on a monthly basis:   

• Main Support Group and Informational Session - We strongly recommend that patients considering surgical treatment of obesity attend our monthly Bariatric Surgery Support Group Meetings both before and after surgery.

• Post-op. Support Small Group - This group is for patients who have undergone surgery.  It is recommended for patients who would like additional psychological support in dealing with the adjustments after bariatric surgery. We strongly recommend that patients attend this meeting at least once after surgery.

To receive informational flyers about meetings of these groups, please call 412-235-5900.

Informational Session and Main Support Group

The West Penn Bariatric Surgery Center has a free monthly support group meeting that is open to the public:

• This group meets on the third Monday of each month (except December - no meeting) at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital at 6 p.m. in the Wintergarden Auditorium on the 1st floor (near the cafeteria).
• It is for patients who have had surgery and also those who are considering surgery.
• There is an informational talk first (summary of the information in this hand-out), a question-and-answer period, then a speaker and special topics such as patient stories, dietitian, psychologist, plastic surgeon, etc.
• Time is then allotted for small group discussion. 
• Patients are a great source of information. It is important that patients speak with other patients before and after surgery in order to get their perspective and share experiences. 
• This is a good opportunity to bring a friend or family member.

Post-op. Support Small Group

There is also a small discussion support group specifically for patients who have already had bariatric surgery:

• There is a small fee for this group.
• We strongly encourage that patients attend this meeting at least once after surgery.
• This post-op. support group is led by a psychologist or counselor (Tom Petrone or Susan Hawkins) and focuses more on dealing with adapting to the life changes after surgery.
• It is a smaller group setting and patients need to sign up by calling 412-235-5913.
• It takes place the third Monday of each month at West Penn Hospital.