Dr. Barba's Support Group

So a bunch of us went to the Lap Band support group tonight (Bree it was great to meet you!) and NO ONE from Dr. Barba's office showed up! :-@ This was my first support group meeting for lap band (I usually go to the bypass group with Patty) and needless to say I am not impressed. There had to be about 25 to 30 people there just sitting around waiting. Finally I decided that I really wanted to get a support group meeting experience and if I didnt' speak up we all would have gone home without the opportunity to support each other. So I opened my (big) mouth and asked the person who was the farthest out to please share her experience with all of us - we arranged the chairs in a circle and listened to what she had to say and then other people spoke about their experiences, their frustrations, etc. It ended up being a pretty good support group meeting. But I am still kind of upset at the lack of regard we as patients received. Bree even called the office to ensure the group was still on and was told it was........ One of my closest friends is starting to go down the path to get the lap band surgery and went to the support group meeting with me and after tonight she is considering contacting Dr. Tishler at Hartford Hospital and I don't blame her........... This is not a nice way to treat patients pre or post op!

:-o That is messed up. Good for you for getting the meeting rolling. I would give the Dr.'s office a piece of your mind. What good are they to you if they don't give you the support you must have. Everyone is welcome to the Middlesex support groups on Monday's regardless of your Dr. If you find you are still not getting your support, you are more than welcome to check those meetings out. hugs, ~Chrissy

Hey Tammy.... Here I think I am being clever logging on before you get lunch so I can post about what a great job you did last night getting the meeting rolling and you have already tooted your own horn. Damn girl! Yes, just what Tammy said is so true. There was a large group of poeple and there we were just sitting. Finally at about 6:30pm, we told Tammy we elected her to start the meeting since no one was there yet and we didnt want to feel like it was a wasted trip. Tammy did so good kicking everything off and it did end up being a pretty good meeting. I even called the office right at like 4:55pm before they closed and spoke to Rachael and asked her if the meeting was still on...She said yes as far as I know it is. I think that was awful. I know they are a busy office, but come on. They are the ones that give us the schedule to go to the meetings and then THEY dont show up. At least last month Jessica was nice enough to post on this board to tell us it was cancelled. But to just NOT show up. Their office is in the same building. They could have sent someone down stairs to tell us something came up or something. What kind of respect are we getting or not getting. Our time means nothing to them ????? I want to say hi so Suzie that I met there and talked to after. She is from Enfield too and she is totally walking in my same shoes with her mom and the stress at the same time as this journey, etc. Suzie, I hope you continue on and feel free to e-mail me whenever you want to. I am here for you! I hope to see you here too. I am glad we got a chance to talk. I wish I had someone that had already been through it when I was where you are at. Let me know if there is anything I can do EVER! Bree PS - Tammy you do look just like your picture and I am thrilled I finally got to meet you too!

Hey Tammy Thats awesome you took control of the meeting. It does stink no one was there to represent at the meeting. Lets hope next weeks meeting will be better. I hope your going to be there, and Patty and Sher! Take care

I totally know what you mean about it being a ride to get there... I live in Enfield. I went to Doctor Aranow for my surgery. I did so because I liked his support and the support of his staff and pre and post op patients. It is a hike but if you ever have time... you should check a meeting out. Well worth the ride. Hugs, Chrissy