Educational Classes for the Bariatric Surgery Patient

Trinity Medical Center offers several educational classes for the bariatric surgical patient.  We believe that each patient should be fully educated about the surgical procedure as well as lifestyle changes to ensure life long success. 

1. Nutrition Education -  The purpose is to educate the client on the necessary dietary changes that must be made before surgery as well as after surgery.  The client will also learn about various nutritional supplements necessary to maintain good health after surgery.  Patients will need to attend the nutrition class approximately one to two months before their surgery. 
   
2. Physical Therapy Evaluation - This educational offering will assist patients in establishing an exercise program before their surgery.  The specially trained therapist will evaluate the patient at their current level of activity.  Together they will establish an exercise program.  Participating in exercise before surgery will greatly improve a patient's ability to move around after surgery and speed up the recovery process.
   
3. Psychotherapy Evaluation - Everyone has issues with food.  It is very important for a patient to understand the relationship they have with food before they have surgery.  Weight loss surgery will strongly effect their ability to utilize food as a comfort measure as well as stress relief.  Patients need to have a plan to deal with these issues before they happen.  This is an essential part of the long term success for anyone considering weight loss surgery. 
   
4. Bariatric Support Group - We ask that each of our surgical candidates attend at least one of our support group classes before surgery.  This gives patients an opportunity to speak with other bariatric surgery patients as well as establish a network of resources.  By attending the group session, patients will be given a one month free membership to the Trinity Health and Wellness Center.  This includes two sessions with a personal trainer.  Exercise is essential to long term weight loss.
   
5. Preoperative Surgery Class - This class will answer last minute questions about the day of surgery and a patient's hospital stay.  We review all the important things that should be taken care of before a patient comes into the hospital (ie. purchase of vitamins and supplements, medication management plan).  We will also discuss the aftercare of the bariatric surgery patient.  This class is offered weekly.  Attendance is mandatory before a patient's surgical procedure.  A patient should attend no more than two weeks before surgery.  This is the final class needed before a patient's surgery.