Support groups

The Bariatric Surgery Support Group is for current and former patients and their designated support person only. Meetings are held online or in-person. See below for specific dates, times and locations.

Our support group is led by bariatric surgery center staff and special guests.

When we meet

2nd Tuesday of every month

Discuss a variety of topics from mindfulness, emotional eating, triggers, stress and more! Learn strategies to help you reach your health goals.

3rd Thursdays of every month

Join us for Q&As with staff, walking groups, discussions about what to expect before and after surgery, and more!

Upcoming meetings

Families and Obesity

Bariatric surgeon, Catherine Boulay, MD, discusses adopting a healthy lifestyle for the whole family. This is a great group for your support person and even your children to participate in.

Heart health: Feel the healthy beat

Learn about the American Heart Association’s Essential 8 — eight factors that affect personal health and how you can make small changes in your health for lasting impact.

Clothing trade and meet & greet

Meet with other pre and post bariatric surgery patients. Bring clothing and other supplies you no longer need and take home something new to you (clean clothing, protein supplements, portable exercise equipment, books).

Ask our dietitian all your questions

Get to know our wonderful dietitian, Meagan Ayoub MPH, RD, LD, as she helps answer all your common nutrition questions.

Psychology topics

Discuss a variety of topics from mindfulness, emotional eating, triggers, stress, and more! Learn strategies to help you reach your health goals.

Walking 101

Meet at Pringle Park (right next to Salem Hospital) for a 1–2 mile walk (or less based on your needs) with our physical therapist, Julie. Before and after we will sit at picnic tables (or feel free to bring your own chair) and discuss simple strategies to incorporate more activity into your day, how different types of exercise impact fat loss, and the role of monitoring heart rate during exercise for reaching your health goals.

Psychology Topics

Meet with our clinic’s psychologist to discuss a variety of topics from mindfulness, emotional eating, triggers, stress, and more! Learn strategies to help you reach your health goals. 

The role of weight loss medication and lifestyle change in pre and post bariatric care

Meet with Dr. Barbara Hoover who is a provider at Compass Medical Clinic to discuss weight loss medications, mindful eating, and other lifestyle changes for promoting weight loss.

Psychology topics

Discuss a variety of topics from mindfulness, emotional eating, triggers, stress, and more! Learn strategies to help you reach your health goals.

Walking 101

Meet at Pringle Park (right next to Salem Hospital) for a 1–2 mile walk (or less based on your needs) with our physical therapist, Julie. Before and after we will sit at picnic tables (or feel free to bring your own chair) and discuss simple strategies to incorporate more activity into your day, how different types of exercise impact fat loss, and the role of monitoring heart rate during exercise for reaching your health goals.

Psychology topics

Discuss a variety of topics from mindfulness, emotional eating, triggers, stress, and more! Learn strategies to help you reach your health goals.

What is life like after surgery?

You are invited to ask questions of patients who already had surgery and have real-life insights to share about what made them successful and how they overcame challenges.