St. Mary announces dates for weight loss surgery support group meetings and informational sessions
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Over the past two decades, obesity has become a growing epidemic in our country. In 2007, statistics showed one-third of the Bucks County population was considered obese. According to Dr. Keith Kreitz, surgeon at St. Mary Medical Center, that number has tripled over the last three years.
“More people are becoming candidates for what we offer,” Kreitz said.
What he’s referring to is weight loss surgery, something that’s become mainstream in recent years to treat obesity, sleep apnea and diabetes. But it’s not a permanent fix. Post-surgery, patients must embark on an altered lifestyle, implementing diet and exercise to keep the weight off.
With fast food joints at every turn, not to mention the influence of less-healthy family members and coworkers, this is easier said than done. To assist patients on their weight loss journeys, St. Mary will offer a number of support group meetings and informational sessions throughout the year as part of its Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Program.
The medical center began hosting these sessions in 2014, with attendance growing exponentially ever since. According to Valerie Batezel, surgery program coordinator and support group leader, an unprecedented 40 people were present at the last group meeting.
“It offers them support in an unbiased environment,” she said.
Both pre- and post-surgery patients from any hospital are welcome to participate in the support group meetings. At their core, the purpose of these sessions is to foster communication and networking among those in similar situations.
Often, families and coworkers want to be supportive of a loved one trying to turn their life around after surgery. But if they haven’t personally gone through that difficult process, they may not fully understand. All it takes is one offering of a sugary snack or greasy fast food meal to undo everything. This is exactly what the support groups work to prevent.
Attendees are able to share their difficulties and gain valuable advice from others who overcame similar trials, rising above temptation. They can exchange recipes, share tips on how to keep a healthy diet during the holidays and participate in open discussions with their fellow “bariatric buddies.”
During each group meeting, a guest speaker will cover surgery-related topics in regard to aftercare. A registered dietitian will discuss nutrition and how to read a food label, a physical therapist will share tips for being more active and physicians will provide updates on sleep apnea, heart health and the emotional aspects of weight loss surgery.
“Offering a patient support group gives our patients the opportunity to learn ways to adjust to their new lifestyles, share experiences and encourage each other in a safe and supportive environment,” Batezel said. “A shared journey definitely makes for a better outcome.”
Kreitz can attest to this. Since joining the St. Mary staff full-time in 2016, he has found a higher post-surgery success rate in support group attendees versus those who go through the journey alone.
Also positively impacting patient success are St. Mary’s informational sessions, which take place prior to the surgery. Potential patients are able to learn about the risks, personally address their concerns with Kreitz and fully understand what life will be like post-surgery.
“The informational sessions teach patients about several different aspects of the bariatric surgery program at St. Mary,” Kreitz said “While mandatory for all prospective bariatric patients, the informational sessions teach them about the different procedures performed at St. Mary, the types of people who are candidates for surgery and the nutritional aspects of our program.”
According to Kreitz, 85 percent of the patients he treats annually are women. He’s found men to have a lower concern about their weight until they experience an extreme health issue, such as a heart attack. The informational sessions allow everyone to learn more about their options and what type of surgery, if any, will work best for their personal health.
The informational sessions are held the first Wednesday of every even-numbered month (Feb. 7, April 4, June 6, Aug. 1, Oct. 3 and Dec. 5) at 6 p.m. in the Medical Staff Office Conference Room at St. Mary. The conference room is located on the first floor by the parking garage at the rear of the St. Mary campus.
New this year, those interested in learning more about the surgery can view information virtually online.
The support group meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every odd-numbered month (March 7, May 2, June 27, Sept. 5 and Nov. 7), also in the Medical Staff Office Conference Room. Due to the July 4 holiday, the July meeting will take place on the 27th.
The informational sessions and support group meetings are free of charge, but registration is required as seating is limited. For more information, call medical assistant Monica Velez at 215–710–5711 or visit stmaryhealthcare.org/bariatrics. St. Mary Medical Center is located at 1201 Langhorne-Newtown Road in Langhorne. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
