Sanford Strong Wellness Program Helps Woman Regain Mobility After Surgery

The 12-week Intro to Wellness program in Bismarck provides support for rebuilding strength and wellness after medical issues.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:22am

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An extreme close-up X-ray photograph showing the glowing skeletal structure of a person engaged in physical rehabilitation exercises, conceptually illustrating the internal process of rebuilding strength and mobility.An X-ray view reveals the internal skeletal structure of a person regaining strength and mobility through a targeted wellness program.Bismarck Today

After losing 150 pounds through bariatric surgery, Sue Novak was still experiencing pain and mobility issues until she joined the Sanford Strong Intro to Wellness program in Bismarck, North Dakota. The 12-week program is designed to help patients with obesity, metabolic, and orthopedic challenges prepare for or recover from surgery by building muscle, improving cardiovascular fitness, and boosting mental health.

Why it matters

The Intro to Wellness program provides a supportive group environment for people like Novak who are restarting their wellness journey and need to rebuild strength and mobility to overcome specific medical issues. By offering group-based fitness classes, the program helps participants feel less alone in their struggles and motivates them to push towards a healthier life.

The details

Novak had lost 150 pounds through bariatric surgery, but was still experiencing pain and having trouble with basic movements like squatting. The Intro to Wellness program gave her the opportunity to build strength and improve her cardiovascular fitness alongside others facing similar challenges. The program is structured to prepare patients for surgery or help them regain control after procedures, with a focus on building muscle, improving mental health, and increasing overall wellness.

  • The 12-week Intro to Wellness program starts in June and runs through early August.

The players

Sue Novak

A participant in the Sanford Strong Intro to Wellness program who lost 150 pounds through bariatric surgery but was still experiencing pain and mobility issues until joining the program.

Mike Wagner

A Sanford occupational therapist who oversees the Intro to Wellness program and helps provide participants with the tools and support to regain control of their health.

Sanford Strong

A fitness program in Bismarck, North Dakota that offers the Intro to Wellness program to help adults with obesity, metabolic, and orthopedic issues improve their strength, mobility, and overall wellness.

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What they’re saying

“We were in a group, and it was interesting to see where everybody was, the different levels we all had, and how we came together and cheered everybody on and really supported each other.”

— Sue Novak, Participant

“We all come to those places in different ways, and so we just wanted to help provide outlets for people to know that they're not alone, and we have somewhere to start. Because those things can become really overwhelming.”

— Mike Wagner, Sanford Occupational Therapist

What’s next

The next 12-week session of the Intro to Wellness program at Sanford Strong in Bismarck will begin in June 2026.

The takeaway

The Sanford Strong Intro to Wellness program in Bismarck demonstrates how a supportive, group-based approach can help people regain strength, mobility, and overall wellness after major medical challenges like bariatric surgery.