I Went to a Support Group & Desperately Need Hugs

OK, I was the only DSer there; no surprise.  Apparently, I am also the only one who does not take Flintstones and Tums.  One by-pass patient two and a half years out still weighs and measures every meal.  Well, if it works for her, more power to her.  Ye****ching her do a happy dance thanking the powers that be for dumping was a little more than I cared to see.   Did you know that the DS is something to really be afraid of?  Me neither, and this group wasn't exactly open to new ideas.  I can only put facts out there and hope somebody will do a little bit of independent thinking.

There were two pre-ops there; one is definitely getting the band and one is undecided and still researching.  I had hoped to do a ittle education about the DS and put some things out there.  I think it was a waste.  But maybe I gave the one still researching some things to think about. 

I am so glad for this forum!  I'm usually at work when the support group meets.  I thought since I'm home recovering from knee surgery, it would be a good thing.  No one can fix stupid and it was there in abundance.  I really do wish them all to do well with their bands and RNY's, and yet I truly hope the one who is still undecided listened to me when I said take your time and do your research.  WLS is a a big, one time deal.  Perhaps things would have turned out differently if I had taken my pain medicine before going to the group...I was just a little too polite.

(((HUGS))) I know that feeling I went to a support group and I was literally the only one in there that even mentioned the DS. And that was with a group of 20+ people. So I totally feel your pain and frustration with some of these support groups.

Nika

Oh, that sucks. It's hard to get much out of a group like that. I guess I'm lucky, the only sporadic small group that has met near here is accepting of me (and my newfangled DS), but they are pretty clueless, and I find it frustrating hearing their problems, and knowing if they'd gotten the DS, that wouldn't be a problem. And they didn't even know. And, it's not helpful to me to hear about their surgery specific issues anyway. sigh. 

I too am glad for this forum. I get so much out of this, and while I get frustrated here once in a while (the gummy question on the main board right now is a good example) I still learn new stuff here all the time. It really is frustrating and depressing talking to someone at a group with their head up their @$$, and they are certain that dumping is magical, the band is less invasive, and they know you are full of it because their godly surgeon told them these things. Science be damned. They have done zero research, and wont, and sometimes all you can do is say "good luck".

I think what upset me the most is the number of people who are using Flintstones and Tums.  They all had surgery at the hospital where I had mine, albeit with another surgeon.  I was told to take the Bariatric Advantage multi with high ADEK, B12, iron, and calcium.  OK, it's not enough, but it sure as hell isn't Flintstones and Tums.  They even sell Bariatric Advantage in the office. 

The people at the meeting are really nice.  It was very friendly and everyone was very encouraging to each other.  It's just too sad that the information about supplements was so pitiful.  Did I mention that they sell real vitamins at the doctor's office?  Why?  Unless they also sell Flintstones and Tums...  It's enough to induce a full body shudder.

This is my support group... no one here even wants to think about the EVIL DS... I am truly thankful for everyone on this board that are here day to day and freely give their support, even if it isn't always sunshine and rainbows.

Thanks again guys,

Lynne

That is sad to hear.  But I am realizing that teaching people about something new is about as easy as teaching them how to build a rocket.  Especially for idiots.

I don't know what area you are in, but if you are in Michigan let me know - I have a DS only support group that you may like.

Holly

Oh, k9, hugs! The DS is uphill all the way for me when I talk with anyone about it.  It's Greek to them and they think I'm nuts.  Luckily, I've always been nuts so one more nutty thing is not that unusual.  Hope you are recovering nicely with your knee surgery.

 I feel your pain! My local-ish support group (35 miles away) meets once a month.... I used to go regularly, but just got sick of being the outcast, and usually feeling worse when leaving than arriving. It helped a couple of times, like when people talked about skin issues or whatnot, but most of the talk was based around pouch rules and dumping and low-fat and other stuff that didn't have anything to do with me. And when I'd pipe up being different, they didn't want to hear it. I did have a few come to me secretly after about a year and ask for more info, saying they wish they'd had a DS instead, but most just treated me with contempt. I think I've been once in the past year and a half. The online groups, like this one, are much more supportive and relevant!

It was very hard for me not to go ballistic when it was brought up that because of the malabsorption of the DS, we have to eat 10,000 calories.  Silly bull**** is one thing, but when I see others putting themsleves in danger with inadequate supplementation, it was just ridiculous.  It was intertesting that one bander there said very quietly near the end of the meeting that she was thinking about revising to the sleeve.  I can tell when messages won't be received and so I pretty much stayed quiet.  I'm no Don Quixote and they wouldn't listen anyway. 

Oh, and I am apparently the only DSer in the area who hasn't had to have an infusion of any sort.