Weight loss surgery is a life changing experience that brings with it complex challenges and unique experiences.

The pathway to undergo surgery can be long and frustrating and at times the post operative period and adjustment to the new normal can feel overwhelming.  Whilst our expert team of healthcare professionals are available to support patients with specific questions and difficulties across the surgical, medical and allied healthcare professional pathways, we recognise that sharing struggles and experiences with others who have lived experience of walking this path can be beneficial.

The Homerton Bariatric Surgery Service support group is a peer-led, virtual meeting space for patients at all stages of the bariatric pathway to meet with each other to share their experiences and support each other. The schedule of upcoming dates is below.

Schedule for 2025

Monday    6 October
Monday  10 November
Monday   1 December

All meetings are online between 5.30 - 6.30pm.

Ground rules and expectations for virtual sessions:

  • be in a private and quiet place when accessing the group where others are not able to overhear you
  • dress appropriately
  • so much of how we communicate is non-verbal. To allow the group to give and receive support, we would encourage everyone to keep your cameras on. If you join late or have toleave early, please pop your name in the chat and say hi/bye
  • check your mic, speaker, link and connection 5min before the session
  • respect for each other’s views and experiences
  • confidentiality – do not discuss other patient’s journeys outside of the group
  • raise your virtual hands to avoid talking over each other
  • share the floor – allow everyone to share their experience and contribute.

The group is not able to provide:

  • support for patients no longer within the Homerton bariatric pathway including patients who have had surgery elsewhere and are not in the Homerton post op bariatric pathway
  • support for acute mental health crisis
  • medical, nursing, psychology or dietetic advice for specific individual queries or complications
  • counselling for common mental health conditions and eating disorders
  • address scheduling and booking issues.

Please contact our admin team at huh-tr.hhbs@nhs.net with your contact details including your full name, date of birth and mobile number if you would like to attend. Please give one week's notice before the support group to ensure that our team has time to action your booking.

Spaces are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.