Q.O.D. 3/22

Good Monday morning It is a beautiful sunny morning here in Houston, hope the weather is nice where you are Today's question is: Do you belong to a support group other than this site? Do you attend live meetings? Does your surgeon have a good aftercare program? Do you feel you could use more support with your WLS issues? Okay, so that is four questions for the day Jackie

I subscribe to a couple of groups on yahoo, one which is mainly patients who had surgery with my surgeon. I meet with a couple of ladies (who have become very good friends) who both have had surgery and we support each other. But I haven't yet attended an "official" support group. The aftercare program with my surgeon is non-existent I feel I could use more support and information with nutrition etc from my surgeon.

Our meetings for my surgeon are on Wednesdays and I have class. So have never been. We have local Pittsburgh Yahoo support group and they meet the last Saturday of the month--but again I have class. So only made it to one of those. I mostly rely on this site because I don't necessarily agree with the more narrow minded pgh group-- very small group of doctors etc...so a much more limited viewpoint on what works etc....several folks rely on protein shakes for their PROTEIN and don't seem to eat regular food...so I can't really related. It is a clique kinda group.....on my first impression. They aren't mean or anything but I don't feel very welcome either.... and in general I don't feel I have mu*****ommon with any of them except for this surgery. Very different backgrounds....

Good morning folks, My surgeon has 2 support groups available to us. One for all pre-op and post-op and one for just post-ops.. These are live meetings and I enjoy them. I don't belong to any other on line groups 'cept this one (which I love) The after care with my surgeon is excellent.. lots of great professionals to help in all aspects of post op care.. I really feel like I have adequate support .., but I have had an excellent surgical and recovery experience.. I suppose I might be looking for more support if I had some adverse issues.. Elaine

Good morning Jackie, You just can't beat the weather here. Nice and cool with a breeze, absolutely PERFECT day! My doctor does have support group meetings but when I went people were just acting goofy and cutting up with eachother like they were trying to prove to the group, "hey, I know these people" and the information got lost in that. So, I use the message boards as my support group. I have tons of support from everyone around me so I do not feel that I need to go to group meetings for that. Aftercare...I was surprised, I went for a 1 week visit and, two week visit, then a 6 week visit, and now I don't have to be seen until six months! I hear of many getting 3 month appointments. Not me. Now, I think I am going back outside into that beautiful weather. OH if only it would stay like this! Have a great day! Tracy

Tracy, must be nice to have good weather! I have less than 30 and snowflakes flying around but they are calling for 50's by mid week! We went around 10 days out to get our drain removed and then returned at 1 month. Then I go back at 3 months. I guess after that appt it probably won't be until 6 months. I have the opportunity to call the nutritionists and my Phys. Asst any time I need too. They are quick to respond.

I couldn't have more support! My surgeon has 2 staff members dedicated to bi-weekly support group meetings. They do lectures, PowerPoint demonstrations, guest speakers, clothing exchange, and most importantly, answer any and all questions regarding WLS. I feel extremely lucky to be living so close to my surgery hospital and my surgeon. My sister had hers done an hour south of here, and couldn't possibly make it to their occasional meetings. Until I had my surgery and got her involved in my group, she had very little support, and a lot of misinformation that caused more than a few problems for her. My surgeon has been very responsive so far, so I feel all my bases are covered. But for the true experience it takes to answer "been there" questions - I turn to the people who have actually HAD the surgery, and know what's what - like you guys! It's great to "hang" with people at the same level! Donna

I belong to a local support group and have a few email buddy's that are good support as well and I check this site quite often as well. Christy 336/220/140

Hello everyone! I belong to two support groups. I go to one once a month thru my surgeon which is in another town. That support group is very large and they always have good discussion topics or bring someone in from the outside to speak. We have a clothing exchange and activities from time to time. I also have a support group in my town of Gastonia I go to also once a month that is new and we have all met now for the past three months. It is a small group of us that get together that have had surgery with different surgeons. We have speakers and clothing exchange also. I also get my support through ObesityHelp.com. I beleive I can use all the support I can get! Hope all of ya'll have a great week! Hugs, Sandy 310/239/160?

My surgeons office does not have a support group. I do go to a support group of my friends, it is once a month! My surgeons office has great support......We go to 2week-1 month-3-month-6month-9month-1year checks......Plus you can get ahold of someone 24 hours a day.....They are a major university and have people from all over so they don't have a "local" group meeting.....even if they did....I am two hours away from there! I am on this site a lot.....I wish there were more support groups...how would I find a yahoo group around me???? I don't know how to yahoo.......lol!!!! I still deal with food issues daily! Jesi