Looking for Informational Sessions & Support Groups in Middlesex Area...

I've looked on this site for upcoming sessions in CT, but they all seem to take place in Fairfield County. I live in Middlesex County. Does anyone know of any informational sessions or support groups that I could attend in my area? I'm seriously considering WLS, and I know that the first steps include getting involved in this respect. I just was hoping they would be closer to home or work to make it a bit more convenient. Anyone know of anything?

Susan, There are support groups held at Middlesex Hospital. You can check with them on days and times. You can also ask Debby Marcus or Kathy K on the CT board. They are always at these meetings. Debby always posts updates each week on when the meetings take place. Good Luck KimC

Susan~ I sent you an email with some info. But have no record of it going through. Did you receive an email from me? Let me know. Towanda

To register for our information session (St. Francis Hospital with Dr. Barba), Please call me at 860-727-4099 OR email me at [email protected] Jessica almost 3 yrs out -157lbs

Hi, Susan! Welcome to the CT message board! Dr. Jonathan Aranow performs both gastric bypass and lapbanding at Middlesex Hospital. He has monthly information sessions (free) and there are also free support group meetings every Mon. night, all of which are at Middlesex Hospital. If you call Dr. Aranow's office (860-347-9167) they can tell you when the next info. session will be, which might even be tonight. They're usually on Wed. nights in the middle of the month...I remember that the one I attended was Aug. 18th, 2004...1 yr. ago tomorrow...what a year it's been! In case I'm right about tonight and you can't make it, you don't have to wait a month before you come to a meeting. Attendance at the information session isn't mandatory before attending a support group meeting, but you should get to it as soon as you can. The support group meetings are mostly for Dr. A's patients, but anyone (pre-op, post-op, just considering WLS, friend or family member) is welcome to attend. They're from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., every Mon. night, except holidays. The schedule is: 1st Mon. of the month - for pre-ops only - nutritional info. presented by Elina (program dietician) and psych. info. presented by Dr. Kim Daniels (program psychologist) - all pre-ops must attend this once 2nd Mon. of the month - for both pre- and post-ops - general discussion and questions answered 3rd Mon. of the month - same as 2nd Mon. 4th Mon. of the month - for pre-ops only - panel of post-ops presenting their stories and answering questions (Sometimes we post-ops show up anyway to support one of our friends who's on the panel...although we're not invited and the questions asked are supposed to be only by pre-ops...we're certainly not asked to leave and sometimes answer questions along with the panel.) 5th Mon. of the month (happens a few times a yr.) - run by Elina (dietician) - nutritional info. for both pre- and post-ops I post reminders on this board about the support group meetings at Middlesex and in Hamden, so watch for those. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. Good luck, Debby

Hi, Susan! Welcome to the CT message board! Dr. Jonathan Aranow performs both gastric bypass and lapbanding at Middlesex Hospital. He has monthly information sessions (free) and there are also free support group meetings every Mon. night, all of which are at Middlesex Hospital. If you call Dr. Aranow's office (860-347-9167) they can tell you when the next info. session will be, which might even be tonight. They're usually on Wed. nights in the middle of the month...I remember that the one I attended was Aug. 18th, 2004...1 yr. ago tomorrow...what a year it's been! In case I'm right about tonight and you can't make it, you don't have to wait a month before you come to a meeting. Attendance at the information session isn't mandatory before attending a support group meeting, but you should get to it as soon as you can. The support group meetings are mostly for Dr. A's patients, but anyone (pre-op, post-op, just considering WLS, friend or family member) is welcome to attend. They're from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., every Mon. night, except holidays. The schedule is: 1st Mon. of the month - for pre-ops only - nutritional info. presented by Elina (program dietician) and psych. info. presented by Dr. Kim Daniels (program psychologist) - all pre-ops must attend this once 2nd Mon. of the month - for both pre- and post-ops - general discussion and questions answered 3rd Mon. of the month - same as 2nd Mon. 4th Mon. of the month - for pre-ops only - panel of post-ops presenting their stories and answering questions (Sometimes we post-ops show up anyway to support one of our friends who's on the panel...although we're not invited and the questions asked are supposed to be only by pre-ops...we're certainly not asked to leave and sometimes answer questions along with the panel.) 5th Mon. of the month (happens a few times a yr.) - run by Elina (dietician) - nutritional info. for both pre- and post-ops I post reminders on this board about the support group meetings at Middlesex and in Hamden, so watch for those. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. Good luck, Debby

Wow! Thanks everyone for the response! This is great. I did actually just call Dr. Aranow's office this morning, and the next informational meeting is not until October 18th. I'm signed up to attend at that time. I've done some research and so far, he seems like the best choice for me. I guess I'll know for sure once I actually meet him. Haha. Thanks Debby for the info on the support meetings. I think I will probably start attending those...maybe even this Monday if I can work it into my schedule. It sounds like the preop meeting with the postop panel is just what I need to answer some of my questions. I also have an appointment scheduled with my PCP on September 30th, since I figured it would help me to get started with covering all my bases sooner rather than later. Thanks again to all for the information! ~Susan