does it matter which support group?

Ok so here is my questions.....Do you have to go to a support group that is affiliated where you have or had surgery?  I live 5 min from christiana hospital but have chosen to have my surgery in langhorne pa, now i would prefer not drive there for a support group because of gas prices.  I'm sure there are people who move and what not so what is accepted? thanks amy

Amy, as a support group leader my response would be you can go to any support group that gives you the support you need. everyone who has wls is working toward the same goal - a healthier lifestyle. There are an increasing number of support groups here in delaware - especially around your area. There is a posting a few posts down that has a list of the different support groups. My support group is free, as are most of them, but i do believe you may have to pay a small fee if you go to the christiana care groups at PMRI. I had my surgery through christiana and have attended the groups that are through st francis and have felt welcome and learned from them. i can not speak for anyone else, but i say go to which ever group or groups that will give you the support you need to help you on this journey. congratulations and I wish you all the very best with your new way of life!! Lucy

Thankyou very much. I saw that posting and read that, which is part of what propted my question because i noticed a lot of them had affiliated with whichever group.  Thanks Again.

Amy

That is a great question. I am the one who keeps the Delaware Support Group Lists updated. If your doctors are at CHRIAS, they have a regiman to follow. Since you are having yours at Bariatrix you need to make sure that you are not required to attend their support group, at least pre-op. You can go to as many as you want and you are more than welcome to jump from one to the other, but sometimes the clinic's will require you to attend theirs for pre-op. Please call the center and ask. I would not want you to get all your clearances done and find out your attendance at a Delaware Support groud does not count, and then you would have to delay your surgery until you can attend BC support. My filling is go to as many support group meetings as you can. The more knowledge the more you will suceed. It has been proven, the patients who attend support meetings, check in with the doctors and dietitician have a higher chance of succeeding than those who do not. That is in the first year. After the first year, the success is granted to those who attend support groups.  Isn't that interesting. No body can walk in our shoes and fill them the way we do, but there are alot of people who wear the same size and then there are others who are not even close. So what I am saying is the support group is the shoe that is the same size. They know the feelings you are going through, although not extactly. The people outside, who have not had the surgery are the ones who can't fit the shoe (this includes doctors, nurses and support staff). This is why it is so important to attend. Our journeys are all different and unique in it's own way, but there are some commonalities between those who took the path.

I hope this helps

Nicki

Amy, St Francis Bariatric Surgery Center holds all support groups in Suite 103 of the APEX Medical Center (intersection of Rt 4 and Rt &) right next to CHRIAS.   Currently we have three choices: Band Support Group is the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30PM (focuses is on pre- & post-op Adjustable Gastric Band patients)  This is an open support group lead by the bariatric coordinator & dietitian.   Our new Support Group is for post-ops only is the 2nd Wendesday of each month from 6-7:30PM (focuses is on post-op Adjustable Gastric Band or Bypass patients)  This is an open support group lead by our medical director & surgeon Gail Wynn MD, our psychologist Lisa Slade-Martin PhD, the bariatric coordinator & dietitian. Open Support Group is the last Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30PM (focuses is on pre- & post-op Adjustable Gastric Band & Bypass patients)  The format has recently changed to an open support group lead by the bariatric coordinator & dietitian.  If there are 4 Tuesdays in a month it is the 4th, if there are 5 Tuesdays in the month it is the 5th. Please note St Francis NEVER has support group in December!  Best of Luck with your weight loss success.  Hope to see you at support group!

again thanks for the info. Nikki-- No thry do not have a requirement that youn attend certain support groups or sa certain amount. BUT they do highly encourage it.  They did tell me i should be able to find one close to home but i would always be welcome up there.   Ive noticed that barix doesn't have the same strict requirements i have found closer to home. whether that is good or bad im not sure. But it has worked for me. Maybe I will see you all sometime at a support group. As of now i have been talking to the people i know who have had it. OK well I have to be ther at 0745 in the morning for the big day so i may actually try to sleep now. Nightnihgt

Amy, First congradulations on your rebirthday ! You have picked a great place to have your surgery and they have a great support group. To your other question : I would recommend that you go to their support group when you can but it doesn't matter where you go for support. We are all on the same journey no matter where we had surgery. I had my surgery at Washington Hospital Center in D.C.  I still go to their meetings but I run a support group in Delaware. I have always felt welcome to every support group I have attended. We have a great group of people in Delaware. Many dedicated support group leaders and members of support groups. If you are ever in the Rehobeth Beach area you are welcome to stop by my support group on the 1st wednesday of the month. See complete list !!! My daughter and I come to New Castle once a month for the support group at Victory Fellowship church. Their meeting is the 3rd Tuesdy of each month.  Great bunch of people and you always feel welcome. Again see list. Try different support groups and find the ones you like best. The key to sucess is not where you go to support groups but that you go. Also there are other people in Delaware that had their surgery in Langhorn. Ask about car pooling to meetings. Best of luck to you and always remember you are not in this journey alone. See you lighter. Joanne Hammond (Certified Obesity Help Support Group Leader )