PMRI Meeting Last Night...

Ginger, Where is your support group meeting held? Is it for pre-ops and well as post-ops? I'm a pre-op. I live in PA (and about 20 miles North from PRMI) so I don't know if it would be possible for me to come, (if it was too far, plus I don't know DE directions very well but I am learning!). Can you send me the details? I still plan to go to PMRI on a regular basis but the more I can learn; the better! Also does anyone know other support groups (close to PA)? I'd love to have many options! THANKS Kit

Hi Rob, I'm in lifeskills class with Joe Vietri and he really encouraged me to join this site. I went to the meeting on Monday and since it was my first meeting I have nothing to compare it to. Are we that lucky in DE to have doctors who teach us beforehand or is that normal? The people who asked questions who were from Philly seemed to know nothing about how they should eat post-op. My surgery is July 28th so I want to learn everything your group can teach me so I can be a loser and STAY a loser. Kathleen

Kathleen, I was at the meeting too, and I noted exactly what you did. I can tell you firsthand that there are drs. out there that don't prepare you well. I used to be the patient of one of these surgeons! AND I AM SO GRATEFUL I CAN SAY USED TO!!!!!! (I told "my story" earlier tonight so I won't repeat myself).Thank goodness, I found out in time, and I will be having surgery with Dr. Iragu. Keep coming to the groups and consider taking some of the classes (ShopWell, Cooking Recipes, etc.). You can get a schedule at the front desk of PMRI where you signed up for the meeting. This site is the best too! Kit

I have to agree that Drs. Iragu and Wynn and PMRI do a great job preparing patients for surgery. I was considering another doctor and went through all his testings, and was on the verge of having surgery with him, when my primary care Dr. suggested that I actually talk to pre and post op patients and attend a support group. I hunted around and attended a meeting at PMRI. EVERYTHING CHANGED! I decided then and there Dr. Iragu was the one for me! My previous Dr. gave his patients very little training on nutrition, (other than protein is important, and a couple of sample menus for the first months). What problems I would have had (and now can thankfully avoid), now that I see all the time and energy PMRI and the Drs put into making SURE you know what you are getting into! Quite ironically, I had made an appt with Dr. Iragu (but had a 7 month wait) so that's why I started with the other Dr. After the support meeting my Dr. Iragu appt. was within 3 wks and now I am through all my testing, except for the endo in mid June, have the approval of my insurance company, and then hopefully a confirmed surgery date!! I am a big believer in fate now -- and a huge fan of my primary care Dr. suggestions to look for support and go to my appt with Dr. Iragu -- even if it was only a second opinion. I was actually considering cancelling my consult with Dr. Iragu because I had gotten so far with the other Doc. Thank goodness I didn't! SO I definitely agree that the support meetings are great and I would be interested in any additional pre or post op classes. "Refresher" courses after surgery are a great idea. Kit

Hi Rob. Always glad to hear your responses. I wasnt able to make the past 2 mtgs as I was babysitting my grandchildren. Can you give me the info in the VA meetings? I havent heard about how to join or where & when to go. Also can you tell me where to find the UNJURY protein? I went to Carb busters but he doesnt carry it yet. Thanks so much for your help! Barry says HI! Cynthia Polish Surgery 1/13/04 down 68 lbs

Hey Cynthia, Tell Barry HI! You are blowing off that weight now. I buy Unjury online at website by same name. I normally like to get two or three people to order with me to save the $5 shipping (not much but every bit helps). They also have an autoship where they will ship you x number of containers monthly or whatever time frame you decide. The VA meeting is at: VA Hospital Support Meeting Date: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm on the third Thursday of every month. Location: VA Hospital, Elsmere Weight loss support meeting. You are permitted to park in the handicapped area at this time of the evening. Enter the side door where the handicapped parking is. Follow signs to the meeting. The WLS-NDE support meeting is at: WLS-NDE Monthly Support Meeting Date: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm the first Monday of every month. Type: Club Event Location: Peniel United Methodist Church, Newport, DE Street: Peniel United Methodist Church City/State/Zip: Newport, DE Monthly Support Group meeting Please park in the parking lot on the side of the church and enter the side door into the community room. Church requests a $25.00 donation for each meeting so contributions to this would be appreciated.