Warning! Name Confusion!

Whenever you see the name 'Denver Bariatrics Support Group,' it only includes those patients treated by one particular surgeon. I don't know if he has copyrighted the name of his groups or not but it does not include any of us who have had a different surgeon. We are not welcome to attend. This name confusion (sounded like everyone who had had bariatric surgery in Denver to me!) and causes confusion...particularly mine. I thought open to all and the name meant every bariatric patient in the Denver area...not knowing that this title was the sole possession of one doctor and his staff. I guess the rest of us have to find other names for our support groups, huh? I had no idea...did you? -Rusty

Rusty, You are not quite accurate about who is welcome at the support groups. Yes, in the past, the Denver Bariatrics Support Groups were only for patients of Dr Michael Snyder. He started them to help his patients be successful in their journey. Several months ago, Dr Snyder made the decision to open up the support groups that he sponsors to all area bariatric patients. I think that this was partly because of his comittment to the education all patients who have had or or contemplating surgery and because he also listened to his patients. A lot of us had friends who have had surgery with other providers in town who do not actively support their patients in the post-op journey. We wanted them to be able to enjoy the same support available to us. He has helped to recruit group leaders and arranged for them to have official training sessions with OH staff. It does not cost anything to attend support group meetings. I have never been approached to "buy" any products at support group meetings or had products pushed on me at Dr Snyder's office. By the way, the Denver Center for Bariatric Surgery is the name of Dr Snyder's business. Check out a few of the other surgeons and find out what name their business goes by. (Colorado Bariatric Surgery--Dr Tillquist, Denver Bariatric Surgery--Dr Brown) What is the name of the support group sponsored by your surgeon? Andrea

I am a support group leader for the Lap-Band WLS group. We are "sponsored" by Dr. Snyder, but the majority of our group were banded by other doctor's, including many of the country. Three out of the four lap-band group leaders, trained by OH and Dr Snyder, are not even patients of his! ALL the groups are OPEN to anybody, from any doctor, any type of WLS. There is never a charge. Really the only things that the "sponsored" by Dr Snyder gives us, is some accress to a larger base of WLS patients that may need a support group, a place to have the meetings (some are at Rose Hospital), & some leader training. Join a group - fact is........... that any WLS patient will be more succesfull if they attend regular support groups! Good luck! Lisa Lap-band Dr Kuri, Mexico 2-16-04 -103lbs

Your uneducated posts have really bothered me. Not only because I am a Snyder patient, but your negativity is a real downer for those yet to have surgery or trying to obtain more information. The Aurora support group I attend is not only open to anyone, but we as a group are excited as new faces come in. There is so much more I could say, but will not to avoid falling into the same negative pitfalls it appears have snagged you. Please attend a support group, you may get some wonderful support and make some great friends! God Bless you, and may he lift your spirits so you can find something to be positive for in 2005. Birgitt