Surgical Weight Loss | Are You a Candidate for Surgery? | Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass | Laparoscopic Gastric Band | Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy | Free Weight Loss Surgery Seminars | Patient Success Stories | Weight Loss Surgery FAQ | Bariatric Surgery Support Group | Tips from the Dietitian | Medically Supervised Diet Documentation
The University of Maryland Bariatric Program has recognized the changing needs of our patients at all levels of recovery. To address our growth and commitment to quality care, we offer a free monthly support group at the Tate Center, Glen Burnie, Maryland (see schedule below). Andrew Walen, LCSW-C facilitates each meeting.
Andrew Walen is a licensed social worker in the state of Maryland. He brings compassion and an extensive history of working with eating disorders, addictions and the gastric by-pass population. He facilitates the Tate Center support group meetings and assist patients in addressing the many psychological variables that effect insight into recovery. Andrew is especially knowledgeable about behavioral factors that influence long-term weight loss success.
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 bariatric 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. Significant others are encouraged to attend.
Group members, surrounded by people who understand and support their goals, receive up-to-date weight loss information, consider issues in the context of the diesease of obesity, and have the opportunity to discuss personal or professional issues that arise from the consequences of bariatric surgery. Following weight loss surgery, patients are faced not only with new eating and drinking behaviors, but also difficulty in making sense of the role food plays in their lives. Our support group focuses on learning a new relationship with food. Group topics include dealing with not only the nutritional and physical health, but also emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual well-being.
A typical support session would include a presentation and discussion on the support group topic and nutrition topic. Time is saved at the end of every meeting for patients who are at the beginning of the bariatric surgery journey to ask questions of the group. Many meetings include a “ask the Doctor” segment and speakers. All meetings include social interaction time.
Meetings and parking are free. All pre-ops and post-op welcome
Andrew Walen LCSW-C will facilitate the group and announce support topics monthly. Previous topics include Transforming Your Body Image, Relapse Prevention and Coping with Cravings.
Baltimore Washington Medical Center Tate Center-Lower Level
301 Hospital Drive
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Directions from Baltimore: Take Baltimore Beltway 695 to Route 97 South (exit 4). Proceed to Route 100 East to Oakwood Road (exit 15). Turn right onto Oakwood Road and a quick right onto Hospital Drive. BWMC is located 100 yards on your left. The Tate Center is located adjacent to the hospital. Go to lower level of the Tate Center.
Email this Page
Print this Page © 2009 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System, 22 S. Greene
Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. 1.800.492.5538 TDD: 1.800.735.2258
Physician Referral: 1.800.373.4111
Print this page
Email this page
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
iPhone
