I need a support group... Are there any in the schenectady area?

Hi, I am here in Schenectady area, in a daily struggle to loose weight. I have decided that after years of fighting the battle of obesity that I needed to change the tools I fight it with,. Every diet I tried and failed on has beaten my self esteem into the ground. I have decided to go the gastric route. I just need the help it will provide me so that I can live a long healthy life. Im 33 and married to a wonderful man. And we would like a child someday. so let me know if anyone in my area would like to start a support group. God bless all....

Hi! There is a support group held in Schenectady at the Ellis Hospital auditorium the first Monday and third Wednesday of each month. Hope you find this helpful. I have just started attending and find it very beneficial so far. I am having surgery next month and people have been great about answering my questions. Take care and good luck!!

Hey thanks alot for the info. Im gonna check it out. Do you know what time the group is? How long have you been waiting for the surgery? did you go through dr larios office? Also did you do the medifast stuff? Thanks again becca

Hi-The group is at 7:00 and usually lasts until just before 9:00. I am going through Drs Lirio and Clarke's office (Ellis Bariatric Center). I first went to the mandatory seminar in September and got an appt with Dr Clarke in October. Their office schedules the manatory testing appts with various providers which I finished in December and I am scheduled for surgery on February 13!! I know the wait for Dr Lirio tends to be longer-he does open rny while Dr Clarke does lap rny. I am currently on medifast-both surgeons do require this before surgery. I will be on it a total of 5 weeks but I think the length of time varies per person. Good luck! Tara

Tara, Thanks so much for the info. So Feb 13, huh. Well i have my first appointment with the doc on Feb 14, what a great Valentines day present huuh? I will be thinking of you and praying. Well tara whats the secret with the Medifast how do you make your drinks and whats the best way to do so. I tried medifast years ago and all I remeber is the taste. I at this point dont care if it tastes like card board im gonna do it. if ya dont mind me asking what is your insurance company? Thanks, becca

Hey Becca- I'll be in the hospital for Valentine's Day-my husband better get me something good Looks like we both will have an interesting Valentines day! Which doc are you seeing? Good luck at your appt! As far as Medifast goes-not loving it. I cannot drink the vanilla--some people suggested adding cooking extracts to doctor the flavor (I tried orange, pineapple, cherry and banana but I just don't like the vanilla aftertaste. I am doing great drinking the chocolate so that is all I get now. I put it in the blender with about 10 oz cold water and 4 ice cubes--that actually tastes pretty good. My insurance is CDPHP-the dr office submitted everything with no problem. A CDPHP rep called me on the phone the next day to tell me I was approved and to wish me luck! If have any other questions or anything, please let me know. Tara

Hi Tara, Im gonna see Dr. Lirrio. I have the same insurance. I wonder what they tell people who cant afford medifast? Thank goodness Ill be able too. Thanks for the medifast tips. What other tests did you have to do? and what other kinds of docs did you have to see? I appreciate all the info you have provided. Hope to hear from you soon. Becca

Becca- The insurance people really seemed great and the dr office handles everything so you can't beat that. Here is a list of tests I had and appts I had...psych consult which you schedule yourself, endocrinology appt, gastroenterology appt, upper gi, ultrasound of gallbladder, liver, pancreas and kidney, chest xray, colonoscopy, ekg, pulmonary lab appt, and nutritional consult. I think that about covers what I had to do-depending on your health issues you may need to have more or fewer appts. Don't forget your referrals when necessary. Once you start the appts, things seem to move right along. Tara

Tara, Hey thanks for all the info. I was wondering if you could tell me when you went for your first appointment at lirio's office to meet with him did they let you start on medifast right away or did you have to go to the appoinments with the other Doc's first? Im freaking because I just read a profile that seemed like it was a whole year before she even started the medifast....... Becca

I only saw dr lirio at the seminar-never went for an appt with him. I saw dr clarke and he had me start medifast 5 weeks before surgery. I am not sure about dr lirios protocol for this but if you go to the support group, I am sure someone there can answer that for you. Tara