Support Group!

[sraebaer]

Just want to say that I LOVE my hospital once-a-month support group! I've been going for almost 4 years. It's amazing, and I learn something new every time. Not to mention it's fun to inspire the newbies. Sort of like this site but with real people just talking.

[Sandra3]

Studies show that people who are consistent with post-op visits, going to support group etc... are those who are successful with bariatric surgery. No wonder!

I wished I could attend a support group...they do have one at the hospital but my Chinese is just too weak, it would be a waste of time.

But during my second visit at the hospital in 2014, I was paying for my visit and two ladies came talk to me, the coordinator was translating. They had surgery one year before, showed me photos on their phones I could barely recognize them. I was so big (especially for Asian standards) it was easy to know that I was at the beginning of the process, but I was really grateful that they came talk to me because seeing patients who were successful gave me hopes I could follow their paths. The beginnings are always kind of scary !

I'm sure your success is also an inspiration for all the new patients!

[Christie13]

That is really nice. Wish there was a close by support group for me. My surgeons office has one but it is a nightmare to get to because it is downtown. If not, I would really love to go to mine. I'm a little jealous that you get to go to yours! (In a good way.)

[JanPit]

I also attend my monthly support groups when I can. It is so good to hear other stories and be able to voice our feelings. After a year or more, we still want to hear that we are doing a good job. Being in maintenance, forever, is not always easy. Success is a conscience decision. I have been guest speaker at my hospitals pre op support group. I get more back from doing this than the group knows. We have two groups that meet monthly, one is the pre op group that attendance to at least one meeting is mandatory, and then the post op group that meets separately. It will be 3 years for me. Good job in continuing to attend!!

[GigiUSA]

I do not have the option of a support group either (locally) but love being part of this group. I will have to search around and see if there are any groups near me that are not just affiliated with a surgeon's practice.

[Pam G]

I wish there was something near me.....

[ghost_ryder]

I love our support group too. I am fortunate that we have an active group that is close to home.

[bigdogluver]

I've only been able to attend once due to scheduling conflicts. I hope to make the next one in July. The first meeting was with a plastic surgeon who talked about skin removal surgery. I hear that the meetings are more supportive than that and I look forward to the future ones.

[ghost_ryder]

We meet Tuesday if you can make it Laura. See you in July if not. July is going to be a therapist taking though.