Good Morning CA (N CA Newbie here)

Good Morning everyone! 

Hope everyone is having a happy Thursday so far (I know its still early).  I am having a hard time finding a local support group, I have googled and most of the people they have contacts are unreachable!  FRUSTRATING

I am pre op diet stage, and looking for information from anyone who would be willing to share their story.  I am thinking VSG for myself.  I am not diabetic (yet) but a couple other numbers are not that great. 

I am looking forward to creating a new, healthier me!

Good Morning Nicole, welcome to the Cali Board. I know it is frustrating not to find a support group. We don't have one here either. You will be surprised how much support you will get from the Cali Board. If you post what city you live in maybe someone will know of a support group near you.

I had the RNY and have done very well. I had a couple of little hiccups but I am doing fine now. You know everyone is different.You are going to hear all kinds of stories. My best advice is to have your kitchen ready for when you get home. Since you are on your pre-op diet your surgery must be very soon. Let us know when and keep us posted. The best way to get to know everyone is to just join in on all the post and please feel free to post anytime you want. If you have questions or concerns usually someone will have the answer.

Good Luck!

Thank you for the welcome, it is great to know people actually post on this site.  I had joined another site and NO one seems to post anything - which is rather frustrating as well.

I am making every effort to get everything ready, and to be honest with you I dont have a date yet, but they said last Tuesday, start now and get used to it.  I actually think it might be sooner than I think, since I already had my chest xray, ekg and all my labs done.

And if anyone knows of a support group in Vallejo - but at this juncture I am seeing great things from this site.

Thank you so much for your input :) 

Good Morning,

Not sure where in northern California,you are located. I live in Concord, in the Bay area. At John Muir Hospital, Concord Campus, they have a support group meeting the 2nd Saturday of the month at 10am in the Lesher room on the first floor. You don't have to have your surgery there to attend. Anyone can come. There is one this Saturday. Also, there is a group of us who meet in Concord once a month for lunch. We are an informal support group. Barb(newbarb2 usually posts about our lunches). We are meeting on June 18th at Coco's in concord at 1pm. I know Barb posted about our lunch a few posts down, if you want to check it out. We have a pretty big group, from post ops, preops and some who have never had surgery. All varying stages of the process. You are more then welcome to attend. Good luck on your journey and congratulations on your decision to change your life. It is quite a ride.If you have any questions, please feel free to pm me. Hope to meet you soon.

Hi, Nicolle!
     We have a support group that meets in San Jose every month - a bit of a drive for you, but still worthwhile. The group is sponsored by Pacific Laparoscopy, which is the practice of Dr. John Rabkin. Our group is small, the big group meets every month in San Francisco, which would be a lot closer to you.
     Our group is mostly comprised of people who have had or want to have the duodenal switch, but we have had people with other operations, including VSG, and all are welcome. In any event, it's best to learn as much as you can about all the available options before making a final decision. There is no committment involved in attending these meetings, and you would meet a lot of friendly, well informed people. At the SF meeting, Dr. Rabkin also gives an educational presentation for new people that most find very helpful.
    If you (or anyone else reading this) would like more info, just send me a pm.

Larra

 There is a support Group in Oakland at Summit Hospital the 2nd saturday of every month and I went there before my surgery and I learned alot before my surgery. They start with preop and postop together and then at the last half we split up and ask the Dr questions without the people that have already experienced it. But we can also ask other patients that know what its like to be at the point you are at. If you would like more info on location and times I would be happy to give it to you. 

GOOD LUCK!

Good Morning Nicole,

Welcome to the Cali board, you'll find lots of helpful, friendly and wonderful folks here.  Not too sure where you live in Cali so it's hard to let you know where support groups are.  Give us an idea, northern ca, southern ca, etc and we can help you more.

As Eileen said, we have our Nor Cal Losers group luncheons or outtings each month and you're always welcome.

Thank you for allowing us to share your journey with you.

Barb

Thank you Barb,

I read about your trip and sounds like a wonderful experience.  I am glad you had a wonderful time

I am up in Vallejo and from what I see there is not a whole lot available up this way.  I was unable to make it this weekend to the meeting, because unfortunately money is hecka tight right now, especially with the price of gas these days.

Thank you for the welcome, I am excited, and frustrated, but plugging along one step in front of the other!