The UM Center for Weight Management & Wellness

Surgical Weight Loss

Bariatric Surgery Support Group

Our monthly support groups provide a secure, warm setting for patients undergoing the process of lifetime diet and lifestyle changes that can improve surgery outcomes and are necessary to achieve enduring weight loss.

The support groups is hosted by bariatric surgeon Dr. Mark Kligman, and include a nurse and dietician.

Dr. Kligman's monthly support group meetings are held on Wednesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Weinberg Building (the Round Room), Room L3201, located in the South Hospital of the University of Maryland Medical Center, 22 South Greene Street.

To reach the Round Room, enter through the North Hospital Main Entrance, walk through the main lobby past Donna's Restaurant, the M&T Bank to The Great Cookie, and make a right into the Weinberg Building. Take your first left past the pharmacy, to a bank of elevators on your right. Take the elevator to the third floor. The Round Room is next to the reception area in the Atrium.

2008 support group meeting dates are listed below:

May 14
June 11
July 9
August 13
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10---Holiday Party

Support sessions, such as these conducted by the Center for Weight Management & Wellness, have been shown to directly increase the chances of short- and long-term patient success following bariatric surgery. Regardless of where a person is in relation to the bariatic surgery process -- just considering it or at any point prior to or after the weight loss procedure, he or she is welcome to attend the sessions.

Group members -- surrounded by people who understand and support their goals -- receive up-to-date weight loss information, consider issues in context of the history of obesity, and have the opportunity to discuss personal or professional issues that arise from losing weight. Group members also learn and are given reinforcement for nutrition, excercise, and behavior modification skills. A typical support session would include an "Ask The Doctor" segment, speakers and workshops, a Q & A component, and social interaction time.

For additional information about the bariatric surgery support group, call 410-328-8692.

This page was last updated on: April 30, 2008.

If you would like to make an appointment or talk to someone about our services, please call 1-877-866-7348 (patients) or 1-800-373-4111 or 410-328-8940 (physicians).