Support Group questions

Hey there all.  I am currently pre-surgery and getting excited.  I will have my date soon.  I am currently researching support groups and would love to hear your feedback.  I recently went to a support group associated with my clinic and although it was very informative and I learned a lot, it wasn't so much a support group as an information session.  When I picture support group, I think of people sharing their successes, challenges and looking for, well, support.  I am also thinking a support group that is not affiliated with any specific clinic would be great as well, because then people can learn from a collective wealth of information.  It would be great if the people at the support group came from clinics from all over the Twin Cities can share their experiences.  I would like it to be a support group solely for Weight Loss Surgery candidates that are considering, pre or post op.  

Does anything like this exist in the Twin Cities?  (Again, not affiliated with a clinic.)

And if not, would you or anyone you know be interested in attending, if I start one? 

There's support group south of the cities.  We meet in Eagan or Burnsville.  Every other week thing.  Need to know the locations and days/times?  I haven't gone for awhile but it is probably exactly what you are looking for.  We sit around and share anything to do with weight loss/surgery. 

I am also looking for a support group like this in the Woodbury/Oakdale area.  Anyone interested?

St. Paul Surgeons does one every month in Woodbury.  I go to that one.

 The South Metro group meets every saturday morning around 830.   This week in Eagan at the Caribou shop in Byerly's on Yankee Doodle Road right off 35E.   Next week in Panera in the Burnsville Mall.   People come and go from all over the twin cities as need to fit into their lives.   Usually people are around until 10-1030.   I too attend the surgeon/hospital groups around but this is an impromptu bunch of WLS people who just visit, talk, share and learn from each other; there have been pre-op people there as well.   Newbies to 5 years out and everything in between.

We have a group that meets in the North metro at the Barnes and Noble next to Northtown in Blaine on Saturdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm. We welcome all surgery types and love to see new faces! I can't tell you how much I think support groups help you stay on track!

Barnes and Noble
710 County Highway 10 NE
Blaine, MN 55434
763-786-0686

Best wishes,
Heidi