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Who among us is involved with their hospital of surgery origin? Are you attending support group meetings, either once in a while or regularly? Do you see your surgeon annually for check-ins or check-ups? Do you maintain any ties whatsoeve with your hospitals, your surgeon's office, or have you moved on and away from your surgeon all together? Finally, let me know if you are at or under 15 lbs. of reaching goal weight - in other words, not having gained more than 15 lbs. over goal.  I'm surveying our group to see if there is any connection between maintaining that link and continued success in keeping the weight off. M.

Me first:
1.  No longer attending SG meetings
2.  See surgeon annually for check-up, including blood work
3.  Used to be SG leader but dropped out of program - hospital is an hour away, couldn't commit
4.  This morning, weighed 8 lbs. over goal weight of 140
5.  SG involvement helps; since I've stopped going or being involved, am hanging on by fingernails...
M.

Ya know, I'm really kinda liking this responding to myself business...I never talk back to me, I never hurt my feelings, I never **** me off, and I always appreciate what I have to say!   So, I just received an email from the behavioralist at my surgeon's office - isn't this quite the coincidence! The "Fresh Start" program for post-ops who are struggling, are regaining, have regained some or all of their weight back - will meet throughout the winter, a sort of group therapy SG format very focused on management of regain issues -- hhhhmmmmm..... M.
WHERE'S JOY????????
CONNIE, HOW YA DOIN??????
Mike and Pammie, wanna go to this group thingy with me???

Hi!

Hmm... well I haven't seen my surgeon in a very long time. I haven't been to a support group in forever either. I won't either. I mean...not the support group at least. My support is here because the support groups mainly contain new patients not ones that are struggling. anyways... i usually go through my doctor for my blood results. I don't know if being in a support grou*****t constitutes whether or not you will loose weight and be successful. I'm sure it helps though. but for others it doesn't. My mom goes to weigh****chers every week and she doesnt loose. Been like that for years. So many have asked why go? I think its for emotional support which we all need from time to time. so even though you don't loose weight, its worth it for the emotional support i think. For me, I know its a will power problem. I'm sure it helps though. I don't have the time to do it. Not with the little one and matt and school starting and work and cooking and cleaning and blah blah blah.... etc... etc... etc... i swear i can neve find time for myself... which is also a hinderance when it comes to focusing on myself and loosing weight. That meeting you got an email for sounds perfect though! If my area had one I would like to go if i had the time. Unfortuantely thats the crux of it all for me... time. yeeeshh.

i'd be interested but need more info.

ok, first of all, I moved about 70 miles from the hospital, however, I did go for a check up with my surgeon not long ago.  I have never attended a support group at my hospital, although I know they have/had them.  Lastly, I am, as of this morning, 12 pounds from my lowest weight, which was my goal weight...HOWEVER...I was told, at 12 pounds lighter, I did not look 'healthy', so who knows???

Joanie

nope!
because my hospital closed and my surgeon moved to a new facility across the country.

the lsit of doctors he gave me are not taking new patients because tehy did not do my surgery...uhm well...yep I get that but ... WTH????

ugh...

I tried to get info from a support group in my town from a leader that posted here on OH... but she never called me back LOL
oh well...
I will try again...
nic

I saw my surgeon annually until last year when he retired. Now I don't see anyone.
The hospital that did my surgury is in Las Vegas & way too far for any support groups.
When I was living in Bullhead City, AZ We did have a suppot group that met once a month & that fizzled out some time ago & have not been to any support meetting for
2 years.
My highest weigh was 360 Got down to 205 & now weigh 245
So according to the docs that I have seen I am still a good statistic
as i have kept off 100 lbs., but don't feel much like that. I am still
pissed that I never got below the 200 lbs mark & still fight the weight
gain daily.
I said I had back problems, but now think it is a Kidney giving
me fits, so may have to find a doctor very soon to find out what
to do.
Ladybug Marilyn

I have never been to a support group, only followed my wls doctor for the first year...and accordingly to my goal am 15 short..DR goal Im there. I do see my family doctor on occasion..I went last week actually and need to go get my labs checked out...will let you know the results when I go. But I feel pretty good.