Ochsner Support Group Meetings

Hello everyone! Boy, am I glad I decided to stay up late tonight and check out what's going on. Support Group seems to be a hot topic and this is my favorite meeting. There's nothing like seeing everyone outside the office and hearing your stories. I'm really sorry about the confusion this past week. Please remember there is a difference between The Patient Education Seminar and The Support Group. Everyone attend the seminar before they see the surgeon. The support group is where we get loose, have different speakers, give each other ideas/suggestions and simply provide support. If there is ever any question as to when our group meeting is please call the office. We like to see as many people as possible at these meeting and one is required before surgery. You can also look at our website for dates and times. We did do something different this yr due to popular demand. We are rotating the meetings from noon to 5:30 but they are still on the 3rd Tues. of the month. We do try to send out e-mails so if your not getting one pls send me your address so I can add you to the list. This is a very important group to us and by reading your comments it seems like it is to you as well. So pls, if you have any questions or comments call me at the office so you can get the correct info. I was saddened to hear that some of you were told we were not there and left. Give us another try and I promise you won't be disappointed. Thanks, Melissa

Thank you so much for this post. My surgery is Wednesday with Dr. Richardson. (I reversed my name for this forum) Anyway, I too believe a support group will be really helpful and that's why I kept coming back this week, and brought 2 other WLS people with me. The guys who told me the meeting was cancelled were the guys in the big conference room cleaning up the water from the broken pipe. Then a nurse came by and was trying to be helpful too. The guys insisted the meeting in that room was cancelled. So we left. When we went back last night we were told that the support group actually did meet on Tuesday night, but in a different room. That's where the frustration came in. We were trying so hard to be there and were turned away while the support group was meeting. I still think 5:30 is too early for the people getting off work at 5:00, but I'll come for 30 or 45 mins. every other month just because I do believe in the importance of a support group. I would guess the only thing that could have been done differently is to have a sign pointing us in the right direction. It's understandable that the guys cleaning the room had no clue what we were talking about. Again thank you.

I will have signs made for the room door and the pilar in the entrance. Thanks, Melissa

Thanks Melissa, I was turned around on Tuesday and I went last night and talked to Laura for a long time but I really missed the support group meeting, I will be there next month. Roz

I'll be looking forward to seeing you there!

Hi Melissa!  I'm so glad you posted about Ochsner Support Group meetings. It really is a great group and I have gotten so much out of it over the past year and a half.  Unfortunately, the new times and my daughter's graduation have kept me away from the last two, but I will be there next month!  Take care, Lisa