new to the missouri board...anyone go to the support meeting at depaul?

hey there! i'm almost 16 months post op now and have been at my goal for 4 months. i've been looking to meet others in the area that are going through the same change of lifestyle as i am. my "friends" have all abandoned me because of my change and they don't wish to accept the new me. anyway....my question is, do any of you go to the support group meetings at DePaul Hospital? If so, how are they? do you enjoy your time there...do you find them a good investment of your time?? thanks in advance for any input/info! Steph 350/140 (5'8")

Steph Im not in your area but welcome to the Missouri Board. I just read your profile and you have really done well. Way to go and if you need anything there are some pretty neat people on here . Is De paul up by St. Louis? Jan

Hello there! thanks for you kind words! and yes depaul is up in st. louis. I'm happy to be here on this board. looking forward to meeting new people that are closer to me also.

Oh my gosh, I am so excited you are here, I will be your friend-I cannot believe they left you-that's crazy!!! I would love nothing more than a friend, a mentor, a person that has been there and done that! I have just completed everything necessary for DePaul to mail off the letter to my insurance company, hopefully they will receive everything this week and I will know something in the next few weeks. I have only attended one seminar at DePaul, Dr De La Torre spoke, that is the ONLY contact that I have had besides a few preliminary e-mails, with his office-is that normal? Anyway, I have researched the gastric bypass procedure for a couple of years now and am getting really excited/nervous about it, but would never, ever change my mind-in fact, if all goes as planned, I will have the Lap RNY procedure done sometime during the last week of July-WOW!! How did you decide between Dr. Scott and De la Torre? Please tell me everything and anything-I am really looking forward to hearing from you, I will also forward you my personal e-mail address if you would like!! Thanks for being here!

I didn't have much contact with the office while I was going through the approval process. When I was approved I talked to them all the time with the testing and what-not. BUT I had my surgery in Columbia because of my insurance at the time. I was referred to Dr. Scott by a friend that's how I chose him over Dr. De La Torre. That's so exciting that you're getting close to having a date! I remember how anxious I was waiting for a date but then once the ball gets rolling the time flies so quickly. Feel free to email me with any questions you have. I enjoy talking to people (especially ones i can really relate to with this whole situation). my email address is [email protected] i hope to hear from you soon!!

Steph, Your alleged friends are just green with envy. I just checked out your profile, and you are truly amazing. It's been exciting enough for me to lose 100 pounds in less than a year. I can't imagine what it's like to lose 200 in a year. I live in Columbia, and Dr. Scott did my surgery too. It's the best thing I ever did for myself. I need to post new pictures. I'm really tired of looking at the chipmunk cheek picture on here. As others have said, we'd be proud to be your friend. If you are in Columbia some time, let me know. We can go for a decaf latte or something. Linda

thanks so much. you know i may take you up on the latte!! my in-laws live in jeff city so we're over in columbia sometimes when we go visit them.

Hi Steph, I attend the support group at Depaul and I really like it. We always have some interesting things to talk about, and even that I am almost a year out, I still find new things that will help me along. We meet on the first and 3rd Wednesday each month from 5:30 to about 7. If you come to the meetings let me know, I am always looking to meet new people that have had the surgery. I live in Troy, but work in O'Fallon.

Hey there! I think I'm going to try to go to the next meeting. I saw that there is going to be a speaker talking about NSAIDS. sounds interesting. I don't drive much so i have to make sure my hubby or mom can take me to the meeting. I'll let you know for sure if i'll be attending. The one person I do know here in town may be going too! I'm excited to actually meet her in person instead of on the internet or over the phone. Hopefully I'll get to meet you also!!

Hi Stephanie and welcome to the MO board. All I can say is WOW!!!!!! I just finished reading your profile and it just blows me away. You have done fantastic. I haven't been to the DePaul meetings but I have heard good things about them. I don't live too awful far from you and goodness knows I am in St. Charles enough (usually losing money at Ameristar, lol). I look forward to getting to know you. Deanna