We’ve moved . . . but not far.
If you have been to the Middletown office in the past for an appointment with one of our dietitians, you know that we shared a busy office space with family practice and rheumatology. Now the program coordinator, secretary, psychologist, and dietitians have their own space dedicated solely to the Penn State Hershey Surgical Weight Loss Program. Your surgeons are NOT moving and will continue seeing you in their current offices.
We began seeing patients at 4000 Vine Street, Middletown, PA 17057, on June 15, 2009. Our new office space is located on Vine Street—just across the street from the Middletown office in the former Outpatient Physical Therapy space. We will host larger groups and meetings, such as support group and information session, in this new location.
Our Commitment to Quality Patient Care
As one of the premier academic medical centers in the northeast, Penn State Hershey Medical Center is committed to a bold new vision of health care, and to the people, partnerships and progressive technologies that bring this vision to life.
But don't take our word for it - our leadership in providing the finest state-of-the-art care for our patients has been widely recognized in numerous national and regional rankings for quality, patients safety, physician and nursing excellence.
So what does this mean for you? Learn more.
We need your help!
Part-time Volunteer Needed
The Penn State Hershey Surgical Weight Loss Program is seeking a part-time volunteer to help in our new clinic with light office duties, filing, and pulling charts. All volunteers must be able to complete hospital privacy training. If you are interested, please contact Sheila Deardorff at (717) 531-8278.
New Dimensions Support Group
As a benefit to patients in our program and a service to the community, the Penn State Hershey Surgical Weight Loss program hosts a monthly support group. We meet regularly on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at 4000 Vine Street, Middletown, PA 17057. All post-operative gastric bypass and band patients, friends, and family are welcomed.
Upcoming Support Group Meetings
The November meeting will feature Dr. Andrea Rigby, our program psychologist. Many patients have said that the holidays can be a very stressful time after surgery. Dr. Rigby will conduct a group discussion on how others have handled holiday eating and stress after surgery. Those of you who have suggestions and tips, or those who are wondering how to get through the season are all welcome to attend. Please bring a bariatric-friendly holiday recipe (Thanksgiving, Christmas or Chanukah) to share with the group. Note: Support Group Meetings are now being held at our Vine Street Clinic, 4000 Vine Street, Middletown.
The December meeting will be our annual holiday party. Janelle will have a sign-up sheet for refreshments and snacks at the November meeting. You may also email her at jmcleod@hmc.psu.edu if you would like to bring something. Note: Support Group Meetings are now being held at our Vine Street Clinic, 4000 Vine Street, Middletown.
Would you like to start making over your favorite holiday recipe menu NOW? Be sure to see the October presentation on Recipe Makeovers!
Calling all post-op patients
We want to hear from you at support group! Patient spotlights are needed. Tell your weight loss journey (good, bad, or ugly), pass on tips for success, and share stumbling blocks that may have occurred along the way. Fifteen minute slots are available. If you are interested, e-mail Janelle McLeod, program coordinator, at jmcleod@hmc.psu.edu, or sign-up at support group.
Post-op Band Class
Need help with using your tool? Join us for bi-weekly education classes. We will discuss BANDSTER issues that can help you improve weight loss and your eating quality of life. Topics will vary at each class and will cover issues specific to the participants as well as other important issues for using the band. Band classes are being held on November 5 and 19, December 3, 17, and 31. Call the Surgical Weight Loss Program to reserve a spot at 1-877-609-6848.
Information Sessions
Have a friend who would like to get started on their journey to a healthier weight? The first step is to attend one of our Surgical Weight Loss Program Information Sessions which are held the third Thursday of the month at 4:30 pm and most Fridays at 11:30 am. Even if someone is not sure if surgery is right for them, this is a great way to learn more about the surgical weight loss tools offered at Penn State Hershey. Registration is required and can be done through the Careline at 800-243-1455. All information sessions are held at the Penn State Surgical Weight Loss Clinic, 4000 Vine St. Middletown, PA 17057.
Online Support Groups
Can’t make a support group meeting? Try the online groups! Started, run, and monitored by post-operative patients, these groups are a source of information, inspiration, and support for Penn State Hershey patients.
The Hershey Bandsters online support group was started especially for those with an adjustable band. Join the group, share ideas, and get support for living a healthy life after surgery. Find the group by following this link and click on “Join this Group!” and you’re on your way.
To join the New Dimensions online support group, follow this link and click on “Join this Group".
Surgical Weight Loss Program Address
Don’t forget, our program coordinator, Janelle McLeod; program secretary, Dawn Kleinfelter; dietitians Kerry Perkins and Susan Veldheer; and psychologist, Andrea Rigby, have all relocated to new office space completely dedicated to the bariatric program. Our new address is 4000 Vine Street, Middletown, PA, 17057. You can call us toll free at 1-877-609-6848 if you need to reach us.
New Lions Needed!
As a post-op patient who has been there and done that, you have the ability to make an amazing impact on those who are just now having surgery. If you have never been a Lion, please consider helping a new post-op Cub on their journey to a healthier weight. If you were a Cub yourself, you know how great this experience can be. If you are interested in helping, e-mail Janelle McLeod, program coordinator, at jmcleod@hmc.psu.edu.
Follow-up Letter for Your Family Doctor
Did you receive a letter for your family doctor with our recommendations for what labs to check and how to best care for you as a bariatric patient? If not, e-mail Janelle McLeod, program coordinator, at jmcleod@hmc.psu.edu, and she will be happy to send you one.
In the first year after surgery, your primary care doctor should check labs every three months to ensure you are supplementing appropriately. You should then have labs checked every six months to one year.
For a copy of the gastric bypass patient follow-up letter, click here.
For a copy of the adjustable gastric band patient follow-up letter, click here.
