RE: Attendance at support group meetings.

[Guest guest]

I work at a fairly large bariatric practice and we too have seen our numbers dwindle, we did similar things as you, surveys, new topics, better advertising and mentioning it at all pre-op appointments. We are just starting to increase a little. I blamed it on economics, most particularly gas prices as we have had many people unable to make it for f/u appointments due to the price of gas. If you see any particular changes that work well, please let us know! From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of friesemasSent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 5:58 AM Subject: Attendence at support group meetings. Hi everyone.I work at a fairly small bariatric practice and have seen our numbers for support group dwindle down in the past year. I have tried holding it on different days/ different times, sent out surveys to see what my patients wanted out of support group, brought in guest speakers and always have varying topics. Has anyone else experienced this and what did you do to re-vamp your support group and get attendance back up? Any suggestions would be appreciated.Thanks,

[Guest guest]

We have a small clinic but a huge support group. One of the biggest reasons, I think is our presurgical program and the encouragement we give to our pre-op patients. Our group lasts for 12 weeks and patients get to know each other. We made support group

attendance " mandatory " for at least 2 groups before surgery. We encourage patients to " buddy-up " and I often see post-ops providing their contact info to pre-ops. We have a clinic FaceBook page in which all staff post things (I usually post interesting articles

from AND Daily News). I see patients chatting and encouraging each other every day on the FB page. Our patients have even formed a walking group outside of the clinic. I really think encouraging the outgoing patients to reach out to other patients has helped

the most. People need people, right? Especially when it comes to bariatric surgery!

Lovisa, MSW, LSW, RD, CD

Memorial Weight Loss & Bariatric Surgery Center

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the tips!!

>

> We have a small clinic but a huge support group. One of the biggest reasons, I

think is our presurgical program and the encouragement we give to our pre-op

patients. Our group lasts for 12 weeks and patients get to know each other. We

made support group attendance " mandatory " for at least 2 groups before surgery.

We encourage patients to " buddy-up " and I often see post-ops providing their

contact info to pre-ops. We have a clinic FaceBook page in which all staff post

things (I usually post interesting articles from AND Daily News). I see patients

chatting and encouraging each other every day on the FB page. Our patients have

even formed a walking group outside of the clinic. I really think encouraging

the outgoing patients to reach out to other patients has helped the most. People

need people, right? Especially when it comes to bariatric surgery!

>

> Lovisa, MSW, LSW, RD, CD

> Memorial Weight Loss & Bariatric Surgery Center

>