Ocean County, NJ Bariatric Support Groups: Five Options for Surgical Weight Loss Patients

Active Support Groups (Verify Current Schedule)

Group	Location	Schedule	Contact
Ocean County Bariatric Support Group	515 River Ave, Suite 2, Lakewood 08701	Wednesdays 6:30 PM	Kim, RD, CDN: 732-363-1463
RWJ Barnabas Health Weight Management - Ocean	1013 Route 37 East, Toms River 08755	Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 PM	Call Center: 844-297-5348
Bariatric Support Group at Community Medical Center	99 Highway 37 West, Toms River 08755	Tuesdays 6:00-7:00 PM	Call Center: 844-297-5348
Bariatric Support Group at Southern Ocean Medical Center	1140 Route 72, Manahawkin 08050	Mondays 6:00-7:00 PM	Call Center: 844-297-5348
Bariatric Buddy Support Group	470 Little Silver Rd, Suite 102, Little Silver 07735	3rd Wednesday 6-8 PM	732-224-4900

What to Expect

Pre-op education, post-op nutrition, behavioral health, exercise guidance
Peer sharing: successes, challenges, plateaus, complications
Guest speakers: surgeons, dietitians, psychologists, plastic surgeons
Recipe swaps, product recommendations, vendor discounts
Family/support persons welcome at most groups

Choosing the Right Group

Geography: Lakewood (central), Toms River (two options), Manahawkin (south), Little Silver (north — Monmouth County but accessible)
Affiliation: Hospital-based (RWJ, CMC, SOMC) vs. independent (Ocean County, Bariatric Buddy)
Schedule fit: Weekday evenings; Bariatric Buddy = monthly
Surgical program alignment: Attend group affiliated with your surgeon's program for continuity

Virtual Options

Since 2020, most groups offer hybrid/virtual attendance. Contact for Zoom links. National options: ObesityHelp, BariatricPal, ASMBS Foundation online communities.

Clinical Note

Support group attendance is typically required by bariatric programs (6-12 months pre-op, 12-18 months post-op). Document attendance for insurance/surgeon requirements.

Distance and Drive Time from Miami, FL to Trenton, NJ

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