Support Groups
Educational and support groups give patients, caregivers and others in the community a chance to bond with those in similar situations and discuss thoughts, concerns and feelings. Among the hospital’s regular groups:
The Cancer Support Group at Doctors Hospital of Manteca
This cancer support group is sponsored by the Women’s Imaging Center Breast Health Program and is open to the community. It meets at 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the hospital conference center, which is located next to the cafeteria. For more information, call Breast Health Program coordinator and nurse Dawnis Villegas at (209) 239-8382.
Growing Expectations
The Growing Expectations program at Doctors Manteca offers classes and tours for expecting parents:
Childbirth Education Saturday — This full-day class meets from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on scheduled Saturdays in the hospital conference center. It focuses on childbirth preparation and covers relaxation techniques, medications, positioning, the role of the birth coach and other late-pregnancy concerns. A lactation consultant is also on hand to answer questions. The cost is $25, and pre-registration is required. For the class schedule, call (209) 239-8322.
Maternity Center tour — Learn about our family-centered maternity services and tour the hospital’s Maternity Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. each Thursday. A question-and-answer session will follow. The tour is free, and children are welcome.
Weight-loss surgery support
Candidates for weight-loss — or bariatric — surgery include those patients with a long history of obesity or a body-mass index equal to or greater than 40, or equal to or greater than 35 with more than one medical condition. Bariatric surgery helps achieve long-term weight loss and has also been shown to have a positive effect on other obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, joint disease, asthma and infertility. Doctors Manteca offers the following support:
Weight-loss surgery seminars — These seminars focus on the decision to have weight-loss surgery and the options available for your specific needs. They are held from 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of each month in the hospital’s conference center. Dates are subject to change. To register, call 855-283-3668.
Weight-loss surgery mandatory education class — The mandatory education class is held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month in the conference center. Participants must have first attended a weight-loss surgery seminar. Call (209) 923-6372 to register.
Weight-loss surgery support group — The support group meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the conference center. For more information or to register, call (209) 923-6372.