Desperately in need of support group...

Lately I have been terrified of the thought to have surgery. I have spent 3 years researching and I am now only 4 months away from insurance approval, but I don't know if I can go through with it. I really need some support from post-ops and pre-ops. Are there any good support groups in the Vancouver/Portland area???

Dear Felicia: I am a post-op. I had my surgery at Kaiser Sunnyside on July 25th. I am very pleased with my results so far and am feeling very good. I have lots more energy than I did before and it is really fun to find myself shrinking out of my clothes. I belong to the Kaiser Support group which meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Building on N Interstate. Feel free to come, other people beside Kaiser Members are welcome. I understand that Providence also has a support group but I don't know the particulars on that one. You could probably find out from their Patient Education Department. Where are you planning on having surgery? Have you been in any kind of a pre-op program with a dietian and a social worker? Have you been losing in order to have the surgery? How much do you hope to loose with surgery? I will be happy to answer any questions you may have ( if I can ) so feel free to send me an email. Molly

Hi Felicia, Here are some of the local support groups that you might want to consider: OHSU Bariatric Patient Support Group Wednesday January 28, 2004 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm This event repeats on the last Wednesday of every month. The next reminder for this event will be sent in 5 days, 1 minute. Event Location: OHSU campus in the CDRD Room 3200 Notes: Bariatric Patient Support group. Meetings will be held on the OHSU campus, in the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) Room 3200 @ 7:30 PM on the 4th Wednesday of the Month, meeting once a month. Beaverton Support Group Meeting now held on the second Wednesday of every month. The meeting is at: The Resource Center 12500 SW Allen Beaverton, OR You can easily find it by going to the corner of SW Hall and SW Allen. The room is typically room # 138a (First room on your left as you enter the building.) The meeting starts at 7:00 PM and goes until 8:50 PM. Portland Area Baltasar Support Group Date: 2nd Saturday of each month Time: 10:30AM - 12:30PM PST (GMT-08:00) This is a support group meeting for anyone who is interested in the option of going to Dr. B for their surgery, those who are pre-op, those who are post-op, those who are considering self-paying, or out of country options, and of course, their support people. Location: Cedar Mill Bible Church 12208 NW Cornell Road Portland, OR 97229 www.cmbc.org Meeting on the 2nd floor - there is an elevator - in room P201. It's best to park in the rear of the building - there is close by handicap parking for those who need it. Questions? Contact dina at [email protected] Hope that helps some! Blessings, dina