If you have had bariatric surgery or are considering the procedure, this support group is a place to share personal experiences, challenges, advice, and triumphs. Each session will include a presentation on a specific topic by either Program coordinator M. Cristine Ortega, RN, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Christine McReynolds, or Registered Dietitian Hayley Esdaile.
2021 Topic Calendar
- Jan 5 - Healthy Coping Skills (Christine McReynolds)
- Feb 2 - Regaining Motivation During a Weight Plateau (Hayley Esdaile)
- Mar 2 - Non-scale Victories: Celebrating Experiences, Not Numbers (Cristina Ortega)
- Apr 6 - Love your Body (Christine McReynolds)
- May 4 - Tackling Cravings: Hunger vs. Appetite (Hayley Esdaile)
- Jun 1 - Keeping Yourself Accountable (Cristina Ortega)
- Jul 6 - Connecting Thoughts, Emotions, and Behavior (Christine McReynolds)
- Aug 3 - Sensible Eating Habits for Your Busy Lifestyle (Hayley Esdaile)
- Sep 7 - Eating Disorders Specific to Bariatric Surgery (Cristina Ortega)
- Oct 5 - Addictive Behaviors (Christine McReynolds)
- Nov 2 - Importance of Physical Activity (Hayley Esdaile)
- Dec 7 - Eating During the Holidays (Cristina Ortega)
Speakers

Christine McReynolds, LCSW
Christine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Lompoc Valley Medical Center. A Lompoc native, she previously was a school Social Worker for the Family Service Agency in Santa Barbara. She earned her bachelor of science degree in Community and Regional Development at the University of California at Davis and her Master of Science degree in Social Work from the Columbia University School of Social Work, with a concentration in International Social Welfare. She was hired by LVMC in 2015 and is fluent in Spanish.

Cristina Ortega
M. Cristina Ortega is the Bariatric Coordinator for LVMC. A registered nurse, she has held numerous clinical positions in nursing since 2007, including positions at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and as an Intensive Care Unit nurse.
She also has experience as a Home Health Supervisor and in case management. She began her career at LVMC in 2018 as an Emergency Room nurse and has also been in the House Supervisor role since mid-2019. She earned her Associate of Science in nursing at Santa Barbara City College.

Hayley Esdaile
Hayley Esdaile is a Registered Dietitian at Lompoc Valley Medical Center. She works closely with both inpatient and outpatient services, and is also involved in nutrition education outreach. Hayley holds a bachelor's degree in Nutrition Science with a concentration in Dietetics from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also earned an Associate’s Degree in Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Santa Barbara City College.
Future Dates
Can't make it this time? Don't worry! This event will re-occur on the following dates:
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jun 24, 2022 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jul 29, 2022 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Aug 26, 2022 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Sep 30, 2022 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Oct 28, 2022 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Nov 25, 2022 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Dec 30, 2022 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jan 27, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Feb 24, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Mar 31, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Apr 28, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (May 26, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jun 30, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jul 28, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Aug 25, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Sep 29, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Oct 27, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Nov 24, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Dec 29, 2023 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jan 26, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Feb 23, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Mar 29, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Apr 26, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (May 31, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jun 28, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jul 26, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Aug 30, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Sep 27, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Oct 25, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Nov 29, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Dec 27, 2024 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jan 31, 2025 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Feb 28, 2025 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Mar 28, 2025 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Apr 25, 2025 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (May 30, 2025 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jun 27, 2025 5:00 pm)
- Bariatric Surgery Support Group (Jul 25, 2025 5:00 pm)