Support Group

I'm, going to my first support group meeting Monday evening at New Hanover Regional in Wilmington.  My first doctor's appt. is Feb 3, but they said I could go ahead.  I'm excited and a little nervous at the same time, but want to get this show on the road.  Any advise on what to expect at the first group meeting?

Just wanted to say - WELCOME ABOARD!!! I'm sure some of the crew around here will chime in on what to expect but  I would imagine you're about to meet a great group of people who will welcome any and all of your questions. You'll probably be overloaded by the amount of information that you're exposed to - take your time wading through all of it and if we can help clear any of it up, please don;t hesitate to ask questions here.

Good Luck !!!
- Iris

Hi Charlene,

Welcome to the NC Forum. As Iris said, we are delighted to have you here with us and look forward to getting to know you as you make this incredible, life-changing journey. Each seminar and support group is different, so it's hard to know exactly what to expect, but generally, you will get some sort of informational/educational component that is followed by a meet and greet where you get to ask others who have walked the road ahead of you a few questions. If you have any questions, you might want to write down a few to ask... I would say that the single biggest variable from one program to another are the dietary guidelines, so that's a great one to get information straight from your support group affiliated with your program so that you aren't getting conflicting information.

Wishing you all the best,

Welcome.  to the OH  family.  You will learn plenty here and make loads of frient. Good luck on you adventure.
Myrtis

Hello Charlene. Welcome to the NC board. I live just above you in Hampstead. My doctor is Dr. Miles in Wilmington. I have only been to one support group meeting in Wilmington so I cant offer alot of help there but I wanted to let you know that some of us Wilmington girls travel to Jacksonville once a month to meet with others who have had or are having surgery.We have a great time.If you want to join just let me know. Again, welcome

Melissa

Hi Charlene,

You did not say but since your support group meets tomorrow night I am guessing that you are seeing Dr. Harris.  I will try to make it tomorrow since I have to be in Wilmington anyway tomorrow.  I can tell you that you will meet many people who have had surgery, are going to have surgery or who are just investigating the whole deal.  The topic changes from each meeting and I do not know what the topic is for tomorrow.  It is usually informative and relaxed. 

I hope to see you there.

Yes I'll be seeing Dr. Harris in 3 weeks and I hope to see you at the support group.

Charlene,

I am new to these boards as well, as I just had lap band surgery with Dr. Miles in Wilmington about 4 months ago.  I don't know whether you are looking to have band or bypass or who your surgeon is going to be, but I attend a support group meeting at Cape Fear Hospital on the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm.  Our meetings currently have mostly patients of Dr. Miles, but everyone is invited, and we have people who have had all of the different types of surgeries and a good number of people like you who are in the process of investigating the surgery and getting approved.  I don't know what your meeting is going to be like, but if it is like ours, you will get a lot of great information and a lot of helpful advice and support from others who have had the surgery as well as from the professionals.  We have different topics that we discuss every month, and they have all been very good so far (I've been to 4 since surgery).  I'm sure that you will find lots of people who have more in common with you than you ever imagined (and if you don't, you can always come over to our meeting and we would love to have you!!).  Good luck to you, and we look forward to hearing how things are going in the coming months.

Meredith

Welcome to the NC boards! I live in Winnabow just across the bridge and I had surgery 3 and half months ago with Dr. Miles and I also go to the Jacksonville meet up and the support group at Cape Fear Hosptial, we would love to have you at either one or both! Good Luck!

Hi Charlene. I am 3 weeks post op and I have never been to a support meeting. Let me know how you like it. I am actually going to start going to the one with Cindy at Cape Fear Hospital. Any way, welcome!