Meetings

Patient support meetings are primarily geared toward patients who have already had the weight loss procedure but will be often be attended by members waiting to undergo surgery. WeightWise requires that all members attend one of our patient support group meetings prior to surgery. They provide a critical forum for members and patients to share experiences, have questions answered and gain encouragement from peers. Our format will include a speaker (surgeon, nutritionist, psychologist, etc.) and an open discussion opportunity with questions and answers. Our advocates will actually run the meetings and each meeting will have a specific topic to discuss. The topics are chosen based on the needs of the group.

Remember, you are not alone. WeightWise employees and your fellow support group members can help you through each step of your journey. Support group meetings not only allow you to discuss your needs and issues, but also help keep you focused on your goal and enthusiastic about how far you've come.

Specialist Counseling

Psychological evaluations and dietary counseling are routine in most bariatric programs and viewed as a mandatory part of the WeightWise Program. These sessions are required by some insurance carriers for prior authorization and can help prepare members for the lifestyle changes they will be required to make to be successful with weight loss surgery.

Behavioral Health Guidelines

The Behavioral Health Care Practitioner (BHCP) is an integral part of the multidisciplinary weight management team. In addition to a comprehensive assessment of physical health, all members seeking surgical intervention for the treatment of severe obesity will be screened for any psychological problems, which may interfere with their ability to make the lifestyle changes necessary for a successful outcome. Successful outcome is defined as weight loss sufficient enough to result in improvement or eradication of co-morbidities and improvement in quality of life with minimal or nonexistent symptoms directly related to the surgical procedure.

The role of the BHCP in the management of the bariatric member begins with the performance of a comprehensive psychological evaluation to determine the appropriateness and readiness for a weight loss procedure. Once appropriateness has been determined, the member then needs to be provided with the knowledge and skills necessary for making the appropriate behavior changes. The BHCP is often the best team member to counsel members and patients during this life-long process.

Patient Selection

Listed below are some likely indicators of outcome. This is simply a guide to patient selection and is not comprehensive or exhaustive. Studies thus far fail to demonstrate any good predictors of outcome. However, it is felt that certain characteristics in individuals often point to the likelihood of their success following weight loss surgery.

Likely Indicators of Positive Outcome

Likely Indicators of Poor Outcome

Individuals who are self-directed Individuals who demonstrate a good knowledge base regarding bariatric surgery Individuals with supportive spouse/family/significant other Individuals with good coping skills Individuals with the ability to problem solve Individuals who recognize the importance of their role in the process Individuals with good insight and judgment

Individuals who lack knowledge regarding bariatric surgery Individuals who lack commitment (e.g., failure to keep appointments during the evaluation process) Individuals who lack social support (e.g., resistant or opposed spouses, lack of community support, social isolation) Individuals who have untreated psychological disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder) Individuals who are apathetic Individuals with dependent personality Individuals with unrealistic expectations regarding surgery Individuals who report a tendency towards binge-eating or grazing behaviors Individuals who lack motivation Individuals with poor insight into the dynamics of an eating disorder and/or poor judgment Individuals with an active addiction or dually addicted individuals (e.g., nicotine, alcohol, drugs)

The MHCP plays an integral role in the management of the member and bariatric patient. A therapeutic relationship, which is often established at the time of the initial visit, can provide the foundation for long-term success. The availability of multiple modalities for therapeutic intervention, such as individual and group counseling, and support groups, can provide the member and patient with the necessary "tools" to effectively participate as a member of the team.