Do people here visit each other in the hospital?

I haven't been on the message board long, so I was just wondering:  Do people here ever drop by the hospital to visit someone who has just had the surgery to take them flowers, a card, or whatever?  Or would y'all just be creeped out to have a strange person from a message board come see you in the hospital?  I haven't had the surgery yet, but I think I would love to have visitors come wish me well, bring me a card, or whatever, as long as they don't wake me up if I'm sleeping!  Of course, some people recovering in the hospital don't want ANYBODY to come see them in pain, no make-up, in a bad mood, I guess.  I wondered because there seem to be so many people here who are having their surgery at Pitt Memorial in Greenville.  That's a one hour drive for me, but I would come, and even bring my guitar, if it would put a smile on someone's face.
Thoughts anyone?

I've been able to make some wonderful friends here and have made some hospital visits. After getting to know people so well here on the forums when you actually meet them it's like meeting a long lost friend!

Hi Meredith,

I second Wendy's comment ... You'll find that we truly get to know and personally care for one-another.

We have a meetup that happens in Greenville ... Melinda (aka ECUMindy) will be putting together the next event. If you have time, hopefully, you'll get to meet some folks there.

Barb

Hi Meredith!

Heck Yes!  I have made several visits to newbies.  I am over a year out, and I think sometimes, when you are sitting in that bed thinking "omg, what have I done??"  and someone who has been through it can come in and say, its normal to feel that way,,,Lets take a walk...  [lots of walking in the hospital]  it puts you at ease.  Plus, we have been with you [Online] through every single step in the process.  Most speak daily on the message board and you become close to eachother. I  generalIy visit patients who have my surgeon, that way they can see they are good hands. 

Though, I do feel its better to meet them at the clinic at their 2 wk or 6wk appt, they tend to be in better spirits. 

Meredith:

Most people don't mind. I have gone to visit several people in the hospital and all were strangers (for just a few minutes). I think it's a lovely gesture. We are one big happy family here and you will make some long lasting friendships for sure!

Lisa

I'd love to come to visit anyone if they wanted.. Sometimes, it just helps to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.

They also do surgeries in Rocky Mount, and I'd go there in a heartbeat to visit anyone who wanted it.

YES!!! I had 3 wonderful visitors from OH come see me in the hospital and I had only met them one time before at a group meet up!! Darcy & Andrea from Jacksonville & Alice  were my surprise visitors and it really made me feel so special that someone would leave thier families & take time out of their day to drive an hour and a half plus, just to come see little ol' me!!!  This is an amazing website, not just for the support and resources, but truly for the people!!

Yes!  I had visitors from OH and I have visited other OHers, as well -- those who go to CMC-Northeast.  I am a nurse on the bariatric unit and I sometimes even take care of OHers!  And if I have patients who are NOT familiar with OH, I suggest it to them, leave them the website and my profile info, so that they can become familiar with this support forum. 

I think it is so awesome!  I definitely have it in my plans to offer others support post-op once I've had the WLS myself, including hospital visits.    I know that I, personally, would feel greatly comforted and I'm hoping I can offer that same comfort and support to others!

{{{Group Hug!!!!!!}}}

It's amazing how quickly we settle into being family around here. Donna was there to see me the night of surgery and came bearing gifts. Not only was it incredible to see her again (we'd only met once at the Greenville meetup) but I also got to meet her husband and daughter. It was really nice to hear her husband's comments plus my Mom got to meet them and it just made her feel more confident in my decision.

I live almost 3 hours away from Pitt so I knew I'd have no company. I was SO WRONG. It was wonderful and motivating. I can't promise how often I'll be able to visit newbies in there but I plan on doing it as often as possible.

I can't wait for our next Greenville Meetup - please plan on joining us. The avatars on here give us an idea of who's on hte other side of a post but they don't do any of us justice. We all have a story behind our smiling faces / cartoons / or user names only.

- Iris