Hospital to Host Bariatric Support Groups

Jersey Shore, Nov. 4, 2009-- Jersey Shore Hospital will begin hosting monthly Bariatric support groups on the first Wednesday of every month for anyone who has previously had Bariatric surgery, or may be interested in having the surgery in the future.

The meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Jersey Shore Hospital Board Room. Dr. Christopher Motto from Evangelical Hospital of Lewisburg will be hosting many these conference-call-based support groups to encourage patients’ healthy progress after having Bariatric surgery, or to answer questions about an upcoming surgery.

Additionally, guest speakers will be invited to host the calls, as well as registered dieticians and other key healthcare personnel.

In addition to the conference call support from Dr. Motto, there will always be a registered dietician from Jersey Shore Hospital at all the meetings for additional guidance and encouragement.

“Jersey Shore Hospital recently began offering patients the ability to prepare for Bariatric surgery during clinics held once each month here in the hospital. When patients are ready for the surgery, they then travel to Evangelical Hospital to have the procedure. All follow-ups and consultations take place in Jersey Shore, and now we’re offering these support groups as an additional benefit for our patients or anyone else from the area who has had or is interested in the surgery,” said Emily Bryant, the specialty clinic coordinator at Jersey Shore Hospital.

Registration for the support groups is not necessary, and patients can come to as many or as few meetings as they wish.

The upcoming meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

For more information, please contact Emily Bryant at (570) 398-5196.

Jersey Shore Hospital is a rural community hospital located in Jersey Shore, Pa, serving residents of Lycoming, Clinton and surrounding counties. Its mission is to provide quality health services with an efficient balance of outpatient care, acute and sub-acute inpatient care, primary care and outreach services. For more information, please visit www.jsh.org.