The Importance of a Support Group

Attending a support group is crucial to your weight loss success. Why? Because you need to know that you’re not alone on this journey. From other patients to our Iowa Weight Loss Staff, everyone wants to see you succeed and live a long, healthy life.

We always encourage prospective and current patients to attend our support groups. We even encourage patients to bring along friends and/or family members so that they too can learn about the weight loss program and expectations. It’s a place where questions can be asked (maybe even ones you didn’t think of), doubts can be eliminated, myths can be busted, and friendships can be born.

Our support groups are organized by Michelle Eibes, our Bariatric Program Coordinator. Our Surgeon, Dr. Todd Eibes, as well as other staff members are often also in attendance along with guest speakers on topics related to weight loss, such as dieting, mental health, reconstructive (plastic) surgery, exercise, and more.

We hold special events at these support groups as well, such as protein sampling and a clothes exchange!

We hold our support group meetings once a month at each of our locations in Belmond and West Des Moines. Review the upcoming schedule and times for each location or email us if you have any questions.

In-person support groups may not always be the best fit for everyone. So if you’re not comfortable attending one of our in-person groups, we encourage you to join our online support group through Facebook called Iowa Weight Loss Specialists Online Support Group. This is a closed group, which means that what you or others post in the group is private and no one outside of the group is able to see it. This is for our patients only and you are able to sign-up to be a member after you have come to a consultation.

We’re also happy to talk with you at any time one-on-one about any concerns or questions you may have.