Where do you go for Support Groups?

I had my surgery on August 7, 2006 at MMC and go to the support groups on Rt 1 in Scarborough. I live in Oxford, so it's a travel time of a little over and hour for me. I don't get to the meetings as often as I'd like. Where does everyone else in Maine go for Support Meetings? Do other Bariatric Centers allow people that didn't have their surgery with them to attend their meetings? I'd like to find a support group closer to home so that I could go when I can't get to the meetings in Scarborough. Thanks for any help. ~dori~

Not sure how long of a drive it is for you... but they have a support group at Portsmouth Regional Hospital the 4th Monday of the month 6:30 to 8 PM for ALL people, doesn't matter where you had surgery or if you are looking into surgery. There is a post op only group on the 2nd Tuesday 5:30-6:30.... Hope this helps.

Hi there...I have seen you at the support group in Scarborough. I don't know of any closer to you, but I do think they help. I am having surgery on 1/22/07 and am in the first day of the pre-op, 2 week liquid diet......it is harrrrrrd and this is only day 1! I believe you said at the last meeting that you had RNY? I am having lapband. The whole bypass scared me, so I thought I would try this band first. You are inspiring me tho, as we have approx the same starting weight and you look wonderful now. You also sound like you are relieved, and happy where you are now. I hope I look/feel as great as you do in only 6 months!!! Take Care, Missy Nevells

CONGRATS on your upcoming surgery Missy!!! Good luck on the pre op diet. I thought it was torture. I was so hungry ALL the time. I ate so many carrots I didn't want them for a while after I was able to eat them again. After the 1st week it did seem to get a little better. I hope it's better for you than it was for me. I'm sorry I don't remember who you are, there are so many pre-op's that attend the support meetings, it's hard to remember everyone. Next time you go, will you say "hi" to me and tell me your "Missy". Then I'll know who you are. Yes, I had RNY on 08-07-06. I'm 5 months post op and have lost 93 lbs so far. I started out at 266 lbs and now weigh 173. I have 10 lbs to get to the "goal" weight for my height, but my "own" goal weight is 140lbs, so I have 33 more lbs to loose for me to reach the weight I want to be. I have noticed this last month the weight has come off slower. I go to the gym 2-3 time a week also. I think that has helped a lot with how quickly the weight has come off for me. I'm VERY happy with where I am. I can do so much more than I use to and I have SOOOOO much energy now. It will be the same for you. I know if I had to do this over I would. It was the best thing I could do for myself. The 1st month is rough, but you'll get through it. Just do everything the Bariatric Center tells you to. Please let me know how you're doing after the surgery. ~dori~