Support Group Meetings Next Week

Hi, All! There aren't any support group meetings next week in Hamden, but there'll be 2 in Middletown, both at Middlesex Hospital, both from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Mon., Oct. 31st, is the 5th Mon. of the month and the meeting that night would normally be led by Elina Schwartz (program dietician), but this month the meetings were switched and that's what we had on the 24th. The panel of post-ops giving a presentation for pre-ops is usually the program at the meeting on the 4th Mon. of the month, but that's what we'll have this Mon. The following night, Tues., Nov. 1st, is the 1st Tues. of the month, so it's time for the monthly post-op only support group meeting. I'll be attending both meetings. I usually only attend the "panel" meeting if I'm going to support a friend who's on the panel, but, even though I don't know who's going to be on the panel this time, I'm going because of a friend who'll be attending the meeting. So who's going to be there for which meeting (or meetings)? And who wants to go to dinner afterward? Pre-ops are welcome at dinner, not just post-ops (except on Tues. ). When I was a pre-op I found it helpful to see how post-ops handled eating in a restaurant...what they ordered...how much they ate...how they handled drinking (or not drinking)...etc. And if you'd rather eat before the meeting, come anyway. The restaurants we go to don't mind if you just have something to drink. The point of going out isn't the food, it's the additional support and the opportunity to get to know each other better. If you need directions, please e-mail me. Have a good weekend! Debby

Debby, Thanks so much for posting about these meetings. I haven't been to a post op meeting at Middlesex in a long time since my Yoga class falls on Tues nights. I have decided to skip Yoga class this week to go to the meeting. Looking forward to seeing you there! terri

Debby, I am a pre-op Bander of Dr. Aranow. Is the support group meeting the 31st at 6:30? Are pre ops welcome.. It would be my second support group. I think I have to make 3 befor the surgery...I don't have a surgery date yet because I still have a couple appointments. Can u get back and let me know. Thanks Kristen

Hi, Kristen! All support group meetings at Middlesex are from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. and all Mon. night meetings are for pre-ops. Some are for post-ops, too. The only one that is for post-ops only is the 1st Tues. of each month. If I remember correctly (it's been a year), you need to attend 3 support group meetings plus the one that's for pre-ops only which is on the 1st Mon. of each month at which Elina Schwartz (the dietician) and Kim Daniels (the psychologist) give their presentation, so it's actually a total of 4 meetings. Hope to see you tonight, Debby

thanks for posting the support meetings.I get confused which mondays i can show up.i'm pre-op and working hard towards getting rny.it helps to hear what others have gone through as there is a small amount of anxiety.i'll try to be there mon.if halloweeners leave early.i sure have to get rid of all the candy. joni walker