support group not supportive!?!

 Hi everyone:)   I have been lurking here on this site for a few months, learning bunches.  I am in the process of surgical approval at his time.  As part of my dr.'s checklist I had to attend his support group tonight.  I was less than impressed with the fact that NOONE in this group was a band patient.  Every single person was a gastric bypass patient and they did not seem very supportive of the band at all.  I guess I expected something different:(   Does anyone attend support groups with mixed surgeries or are there groups for band patients only?

I left the support group tonight wondering if I will get my band and then be all alone when I will need support the most:(
Thank goodness for this site:)

I have been told by 2 different nurses that lead support groups that their bandsters are the least likely to come to support groups! Even in one of the offices that switched from doing RNY and band to just band. Extremely low attendance for bandsters. Which seems odd to me b/c it would seem bandsters would be in much more need of support than the RNY'er since RNY is pretty much set n forget.

I have a very close friend who got RNY and there was nothing "set and forget" about hers.  She's gained almost all of her weight back after 4 years post op.........she forgot to follow the rules which will happen w. any WLS tool, no matter which one it is.  I'd let the Dr. know that the support group for bandsters needed improvement.  after all, you are the paying customer. 

Some RNY'er do gain weight back. They do however lose all or most of it initialy after their WLS which doesn't happen with a lot of bandsters. and they are not having to go every few wks. or mos. for fills, therefore............set it and forget it.

As far as the support group needing improvement............well they can not make bandsters come! This may not be the norm everywhere, but apparantly it is at the 2 I mentioned and also at the one the poster mentioned.

 Maria,
Thanks for the reply.  I see your point and that is exactly what I fear.  I guess I will have to bring this up at my next appointment.  I really walked away for the meeting tonight feeling kinda anxious and lost:(

Some area support groups just are not that good............some are absolutely wonderful! Sometimes it's beneficial to travel out of your area to go to a good one!

Also Bette and Kate on the band forum are very helpful. Bette might even know of some local bandsters in your area you can chat with possibly?

I had a very similar experience.  I went to a support group and left feeling like I was looked down upon because I had the band.  Every single person was an RNY patient. So, I never went back.  I was visiting some friends in New Jersey and went to one of my friend's band support group, and that was AWESOME.  I so wish there was a band only support group I could go to.  

Melly I actually went to a band only support group. It was lead by this 24 y/o exercise physiologist/runner that had never even had a weight issue let alone the band, lol. She passed out some recipes to us (not band friendly!). She was just kind of clueless! This was at the band mill.

Awe...Maria, that really sucks!! My original surgeon was definitely a band mill doc.  I understand!! 

Melly it wouldn't have been so band had I not driven 2 hrs. in the pouring down rain to get there! Then the lady wanted to end it after like 10 mins.  b/c there was just me and another person that showed up for it! And this was when I first got the band and was all excited about going to my meeting! lol

I do know one meeting that is run by a dietitian and she does a good job........but in general I think they really  need to have a WLS person as a group leader!