any long island support groups open to all?

i am in eastern suffolk and looking for a support group in addition to the one that my doctor offeres through his practice. Dr rubenstien and Mehta are well known in the bariatric community for there work with lap band (dr rubenstein was part of the original clinical trials and has a very good % weight loss for his patients with the band) that being said MOST people who come to his office are in search of the band. Originally that was what i was in search of though after some thought i decided RNY. I stayed with the practice because i am very comfortable there.

Sooo... at support group there is a room of about 50 people with only 1 person who has had RNY. it is usualy adifferent person every time but still it is a room full of banders and one token RNY. Because of the high percent of banders most of the info is geared to them. and it feels mostly like an info session on the different surgeries..they do always open the floor for Q&A though and that is usually when the post ops get time in..

i still think it is important for me to attend the session of my doctor, but i was wondering if there was any other groups on long island with open invitation that i might fit into better.

You should check out the LIPO group! Great group great support and a mix of RNY and Bandsters.

There is also the support group at Good Sam hospital which i have never been to but i heard great things about.

There is also a meeting in the Patchogue - Medford area (sp?)

There is also a new support group starting up in Hicksville.

All of these groups are open to everyone! Good luck!

Rachel

I hope I didn't sound anti bandster.lol I am just looking for a better mix. Plus my doc meetings are more for preops.. Where does lipo meet and when? I know I need to be part of something if I am going to sucseed after my surgery on the 8th.

Oh no not at all! I love going to the mixed groups! LIPO is a fabulous group! Good Luck on your surgery on the 8th! Are you going to come to the fashipn show on Saturday? That would be so much fun! Introduce yourself to me! I hope to see you there!

i have a stinky work schedule! ill be working till 11pm tomorrow!
I hope someone takes pics it sounds like a good time!
hopefull i will be well enough after surgery to go to the april meeting! You guys all seem so nice!

Oh yuck! The fashion show is at 10am... what time do u start work?

i assumed (you know what that makes me ) that the fashion show would be late afrenoon or evening... I only checked on OH just now (9:30 am)... thats stinky, i could have gone... i usually leave for work around noon... I will definatly try to make the next meeting in april... i should be up and about... hope you guys all had a great time today... i'll be day dreaming today of one day being in a fashion show myself....

AWWWW!!!! Im so sad you missed it! I of courese will have to miss the LIPO meeting in April because I have class on tuesdays. I was lucky that the last LIPO meeting fell out on the week i have spring break. We will get to meet eventually though! 

Hi.  I go to the good sam support group in West Islip, it is open to everyone.  There is a pretty good mix of surgery types and I find everyone to be super nice.  I think this Sat coming up is their fashion show.  I have been looking forward to it.
Good luck to you,
Noelle

Tamilynn,

I live nearby you and just attended the LIPO meeting for the first time in Bohemia this past week. I believe they meet the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Maryellen usually posts a reminder on this board about a week before the meeting.

I also plan on attending the new Patchouge group for their next meeting.

I'm in Mastic Beach - if you are interested, we could carpool, if you'd like.