support groups

Can someone let me know if there's a support group in Gaffney/Spartanburg area that are open for newbies? Or where I can look for one..... My doctor for my wls is in NC and that is just to far to drive when I would like to just get with a group and see what's happening Thank you well in advance Stephie

Hey Stephie, We got together in October, then the holidays rolled around and we haven't been able to get together since then. Marcey was trying to get something together this month, but I haven't heard anything yet. My surgery is in 11 days at Spartanburg Regional. I have my pre-op stuff on Monday and I can find out if you could come to the support group that they have through the doctors office. I don't know anything about it, but I will find out all I can!! You don't need to be all alone out there Hugs, Dianne

Thank you so much..... that would be a god send ...... I do have to attend 2 meetings in Charlotte before surgery but after that I'm sure the doctor will let me go to other places as long as I do go.....

Stephie, I spoke to Dr. Ross about you today. He is such a compassionate man. Like you, there are certain pre and post op classes that I have to attend, then after that there is a monthly support group meeting at the hospital. He said that it would be open for anyone that wanted to come. He used the example of when people move and are needing a new place to go. I wasn't sure of your cir****tances, but told him that you were having surgery in Charlotte. He said that he hated to see that you had to go that far, but for you to feel free to come to the meetings for support. I have my pre-op labwork and then my pre-op support meeting on Monday. They will go over nutrition, physical therapy and a respiratory therapist will be there. Hope to know even more on Monday!!! Hugs, Dianne

Dianne Thank you so much ..... in the process now of getting diabetic (sp) test ....... upper gi and endoscopy done... still has to get to the sleep test and those 2 seminars for Dr. Heniford & Gresin ..... hasn't heard anything yet on my insurance so just waiting..... But the reason I had to go to Charlotte was due to gonna have another operation with the wls in with it but they've changed their minds about the other one and now just the wls is what I'm having done now..... I hate going that far too but the Dr. here sent me there and now sure if I can change on my own with the insurance and referal thingys...... but oh well ....... I'll be looking forward to those support groups cause when it comes to wls surgery (sorry but truth) my family is really ignorant ...... They are all against me having it done and couple is disowning me but that is alright too cause never cared for them to start with .... *huggles* Stephie

YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU & YOUR HEALTH, MS STEPHIE. IT'S SO HARD FOR OTHERS TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBESITY & BEING A LITTLE OVERWEIGHT. WE'RE SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE BEING SO SEVERLY JUDGMENTAL AGAINST YOU. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, SWEETHEART ... STAY SWEET & KEEP ON GOING FOR WHAT YOU KNOW IS BEST FOR YOU. WHY DID THEY DECIDE TO ONLY DO WLS & NOT THE OTHER PROCEDURE AT THE SAME TIME? ... IT WAS TO REPAIR SOMETHING, WASN'T IT? ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT DOING THE 2nd SURGERY AT A LATER DATE? GOD BLESS YOU DAWN & NICK

Ms Dawn, they did a nissen repair for a hernia last June.... my stomach / gut was so heavy inside that the stitches broke...... making the reflux come back much worse than before..... due to no help for peeing after surgery I got up 30 mins after getting back to my room from surgery to go to the bathroom.... busting the stitches to my incesion on the inside leaving a big hernia there.... my surgeon said he would and could not repair the Nissen so he's sending me to a doctor in charlotte... but the doctor there said that if they do the wls that there would be no acid to come up..... so they will not attempt to redo the nissen..... they will not fix the hernia till I loose enough weight to keep from busting it open again..... but right now I'm pifft at them cause they will not return my calls and if the wls is all I really need to stop the acid I'm thinking about going else where...... I'm so tired of my calls not being returned ..... they're to set up my upper gi and an endoscopy but I can't get in touch with anyone to find out my dates for them........ makes me go GGGRRRRRRRRRR alot !! Spartanburg is only a 20 min drive from me..... Charlotte is over an hour almost close to 2 accounting for traffic...... so kinda stuck in a rut right now..... but I do have my PCP doing a diabetic test on me next thursday...... maybe I can find out if that is what causes alot of my swelling and headaches...... at that time I'll get him to set up a sleep apena study and see if he'll go ahead and do my letter for wls as well..... least if I go to someone else I can have those 3 things already done sorry it's so long....... *huggles* Stephie

IN GENERAL, THEY ARE RIGHT ABOUT NOT HAVING ACID PROBLEMS. BUT, THERE ARE CASES WHERE THAT IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE BEEN TAKING AN ANTIBIOTIC THAT IS NOT MESHING TOO WELL WITH ONE OF MY HEART MEDS ... MAJOR ACID & REFLUX. I CAN TASTE THE MEDS ALL THE TIME & THE BACK OF MY THROAT IS SCALDED. MY POUCH IS ALSO IRRITATED ... THIS IS HAPPENING EVEN THOUGH I STILL TAKE ACIPHEX 4 Xs A DAY .... SO, DON'T EVER BELIEVE AN ANSWER THAT SOMETHING "NEVER" HAPPENS, MS STEPHIE ... HOPE THINGS SMOOTH OUT FOR YOU IN GETTING ALL YOUR TESTS & APPOINTMENTS SCHEDULED! GOD BLESS DAWN & NICK