Support meeting in Columbia, MO

Hello good people. I have a question. I have an appoinment with Dr. Scott (praise GOD) it is at the end of Sept. I was wondering if anyone has any info on his support meeting that is required. When, where, time, ect mostly. I was wanting to try and go to the support meeting this month before my appointment. Any info would be gretly appricated!!!!! God Bless Melissa

Hi Melissa, I am so excited for you to have an appointment with Dr. Scott! I think he's such a sweet man. He saved my life, and if a 40 year old woman could have a hero he'd be mine! There is a support group meeting at Columbia Regional Hospital Health Pavilion (404 Keene Street) on the 19th of this month. You can check this info on their website at http://www2.muhealth.org/obesesurgery/supportgroups.shtml I am wondering if you are refering to the informational seminar? I kinda think that's what you are looking for. I dont know, but I think that if you called the office they could tell you. If they can't I would have them leave a message for Natalie and I'm sure she would get back to you to tell you when the next info meeting is. Honestly, I didnt get my informational meeting in until just before surgery. So you have plenty of time, but I do know how it feels to want to get everything cracking and on the move to get the surgery! Good luck to you and hope that I helped you a little bit! Ardie

Can anyone go to the support group or do you have to be wanting surgery with Dr. Scott or have had surgery with him? I had Dr. Fabito in SL and he's now retired. I live in Columbia and I'm not really attending a support group so I might drop by if it is ok for me to do so. What kinds of things do they do at the meetings? Thanks. TP

Hey Teresa, I really don't think there is any "limitations" on who can come. Natalie Suttmoeller (Nurse Cordinator for Dr. Scott) and Dr. Nancy Bumby do lead the support group. I can say with confidence that I seriously doubt that they would have any problems with someone coming to the support group that had surgery with another Doctor. Lets face it we are all in this together.... If you'd like me to and if you would feel more comfortable in coming, I can ask one of these ladies if there are limitations, and get back to you before the next meeting (Sept 19th). I would really like for you to come! Last month's meeting we were talking about how we deal with relationships and with our emotions.... it was an excellent group. I loved it. For me I struggle with those type of issues more in my WLS journey than any of the others..... So for me that group was really uplifting. Plus, the people that attend are great bunch of folks! I have only been going for a few months myself and I have found them to be such a nice group of people. I doubt you'd have any trouble fitting right in with the rest of us. I there is a wide span of age here too so there will be younger and older folks... So I just don't see you NOT fitting in quite nicely! You realize I am expecting you to come! I would love to meet you... I see you post quite a bit here and would love to say hello in person! Take Care Ardie

As I was looking at the calendar, I saw that the meeting is on Monday. My daughter has a piano lesson at 3:30 on Monday. So, I'll have to see if my husband is in town that week to take her. I'd love to come if I can arrange for someone to take her so it will free me to come. Thanks. It would be good toknow for sure that it's OK for others to come who've had surgery elsewhere. If you find out, let me know.

Hi Teresa, Just thought I would get back to you about the support group meeting.... I talked with Dr. Bumby this morning and she said it would be great for you to come. There isnt any restrictions on who comes... all are welcome. I hope that you can make it to the meeting! It would be nice to meet you in person! Take Care and I do hope to see you the 19th! Ardie

TP Yes as far as I know anyone who has either had, having, or interested can go. Melissa

Teresa, Please do join us. Nobody has every quizzed anyone about their surgeon in the few months I have been going. Ardie is right. The last meeting is particularly great. You and I have e-mailed and even talked on the phone, so I would really like to meet you. By the way, I have lost 42 lbs. since surgery, so I won't be need larger clothes any more. Pretty soon, I will be thinning out my own closet. I know the meeting is scheduled on the web site for 9/19 at Columbia Regional, but Natalie did say at the last meeting this month the group would meet at a restaurant, so we could deal with eating out together. I'm going to e-mail her and ask her if that is still the plan. She gathered e-mail addresses and said she would let us know. I haven't heard anything yet. I will post her response to this board. Linda

Ardie Thank you so much for your reply. I have heard nothing but GOOD things about Dr. Scott. I called and talked to them today and they will set everything that I need up for me. I now I am waiting...........patiently. Or trying to at least. Thanks Melissa

Hey Melissa I'm glad you called if for no other reason it gives you peace of mind... Dr. Scott is wonderful and after surgery the aftercare by his staff is so so good and so professional. I don't think you could ask for a better team of people. For me, I am just so grateful for the chance to have such quality people surrounding me with such good care in my weightloss journey. I know I am biased; but truthfully for me, Dr. Scott saved my life and his staff is helping me keep the life that was given back to me. I am so excited for you.... This journey that you are choosing for yourself is a wonderful journey... it will bless and restore the very soul of you, and it will frustrate you at times, you will experience the vast and wide range of emotions, and rediscover you. You'll have these wonderful little "wow" moments that you need and deserve... embrace these moments. They will be with you for a very long time. Let me encourage you not to be fearful of the consult with Dr. Scott that he'll have a negative report for you. Just believe that whatever happens or that you have to do a few things before surgery that it isnt a rejection but that its just a stepping stone to the ultimate goal and that is to have the WLS surgery. I know for me I had to do a few things before I got to the surgery portion. It took me from October to May to have surgery. But you know I had just enough faith to believe that if I did what was required I would have the surgery. It did happen just took me longer to get there. I doubt you'll have any problems... Everything will be cool and you'll know when you'll have the surgery and all the wonderful positive stuff... As they say in Jamica "No problem mon". You'll be fine! Melissa, If there is anything I can do for you just let me know... If you have some questions I'll sure try to answer them for you... or help you find the answers. Would love to help you out on your journey a bit if I can. Dont forget post here to let us know how your consult with Dr. S went. I would love to hear about it! Take Care Ardie