First Support Group Meeting

 Tonight was my first support group meeting. Kaiser put us through eight weeks of classes prior to surgery and has support group twice a month after and they ask that we attend once a month. There were about 15 of us there. I was really disappointed that there was not anyone there who had lap band surgery. Everyone besides me had gastric bypass. While much of what we discussed I could relate to, there was some stuff that I could not relate to at all. Also, it would have been nice to have had someone there to talk to about getting fills and other topics related to lap band surgery.  I will go again, but I really am  disappointed that there was not another lap band patient there. I think I will call the nutritionist that leads the groups and see if maybe there are some lap band patients in the other meetings. Thanks for "listening" to me vent.

 I have the same issue with our hospital support group.  No matter when I showed up I was the only lap-band patient there.  It got to the point where they quit talking about anything relating to the lap-band.  I just quit going and use this board as my support group. 

Toni

I began attending a support group 6 months prior to surgery and there are no other band patients, as well. I have found that I have still been able to learn a great deal, and they have been very supportive of me. They are also learning about the band from me so that they can suggest that as an option to people that ask about their wls, too. I feel that in addition to this forum it is helpful to have face to face time and to have someone I can call if I begin to vary with my eating. That accountability actually keeps me on the straight and narrow even more that OH. Using both has been the best,, for me. By all means see if you can find a band group but if not, don't give up.

I started my own support group for bandsters for that very reason!  It started by reaching out to other bandsters from this site that live near me.  We met for coffee and chit chat and everyone had the same complaint about the hospital support groups, too many RNY and not enough relevant information for band patients. 

I eventually got trained as a support group leader through OH and now we have a group of 18 or so that meet once a month! 

Definately share with your surgeon that it would be great to have a separate meeting for bandsters, but in the meantime, reach out to others in your area.  You'll make some great friends and learn a lot through your combined experiences.

In the meantime, keep coming here.  This is the only support group I had for the first year of surgery and the information here is invaluable!

Best~
Lisa O.