What to do when ya can't get a support group?

Hi guys. I need more help. Sorry. I live in Jackson, Tn. and haven't be able to get to the Nashville support groups. Has anyone made it 8 months without going to a group? I know how important and essential it is and it's killing me to be so alone this long and thought maybe there was an "online" support group to visit weekly. I think I've gone about as far as I can go it alone. As it is I have pushed the boundaries too far going it alone this long... and I know it is essential.I've got to get to one, for my sanity's sake and my body's sake. Centennial, in Nashville, has them but I can't get to them. Can anyone help? Thanks so much. If I could only get 1 online class to visit weekly, I'd visit it everyday!! Thanks again Friends. God Bless. Luv, kath

Hiyas Kath!! I just wanted to let you know that although I never go to support groups (I'll be @ 6months next week & doing fine!), I had surgery in Dickson -- very close to Jackson -- and know that you would be more than welcome to attend our support group meetings. My surgeon has an awesome aftercare/followup program, and usually he or the other surgeon, the physical therapist, AND the nutritionist attend the support group meetings, so ANY questions you have will be answered. Although I am not a big support group kinda person -- I tend to be a little on the shy side -- I am pretty sad that I miss a lot of the meetings (my daughter has cheerleading that takes up ALL of my spare time!). They are held from 6-7 at Horizon Medical Center on Thursdays once/month. I want to say it is the first Thursday of the month, but cannot find my schedule... Please call Dr. Huerta's office and ask about it. I know that at least one of the girls who goes to the meetings was actually a patient at Vanderbilt, but prefers Dr. Huerta's support group! If you need the phone number, I will be happy to email it to you. Another thing to which you are more than welcome is the main chat room -- a LOT of post-op people go in there on a regular basis, so it is kind of like an "as-needed" support group. They are a fun bunch, and will help you if you are needing help, and will be honest with you and tell you when you are making a big mistake, LOL. Here is the link: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/chatroom.php I hope this helps!! --joanna 325/206/125(Someday, I hope!!)

Hey Kath, This is the first time I have checked into this group in a long time, but just wanted to say that I am 11 months post op and went to a meeting one month post op and not been back since. For me, being a post op has become a way of life and other than checking in on OH, I don't feel I need a support group. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck in finding a support group close to you though. Take care!! Erica 258/141/130ish

Thanks Joanna and Erica. I was just afraid that I wasn't getting all the info that I might need. I did find a web site I think... early this morning when I couldn't sleep. LOL!.. that might be an online classroom or so. I'll check later or tomorrow. Joanna, Thanks so much.. I just went to the chat room for a sec and that aught to help and I will look into the once a month in Dickson. I'll write you later... just wanted to touch base with you guys now that I just got home... to thank you so much. I owe so many favors to OH Freinds here. I hope I can be of service later on.. Hey! Does anyone else have weird sleeping hours like I do? I wake up at 4 am almost every night. And then can't go bac****il 6am. What do ya do? I've just been going with the flow. Well, God Bless! Thanks again you sweeties!! luv, kath

Hey Kath, I've never had the weird sleeping issues, but I have heard it is common for some post op. I would recommend Tylenol PM to help you get a good night's sleep if you want to try it. All Tylenol products are fine to take post op and even Walmart has a generic which is great. The dose is 1 or 2 pills before bed and if you just want a little help staying asleep, I'd take one. It's probably something you will outgrow though. Good luck looking online. The one thing I firmly believe though is that OH and other websites shouldn't become your new bible so to speak. In fact, my surgeon discouraged being on here too much because I would get freaked out about eating too much or not having things happen that so many others had going on when in fact I was just dealing with the recovery exactly as I should have been. I check in now and again, but stick to the forums that are strickly support and not so much passing on educational info. Does that make sense? I mean, for example, I could eat 4 oz at 1 week postop and everyone on here would say I was eating WAY TOO MUCH and I freaked and the surgeon said, I don't care as long as you don't go over 6 oz in a sitting. And then all the info on protein supplements, etc when he didn't want me getting protein from sources other than animal sources, etc. Soooo, for a while I checked out of the website until I felt comfortable with where I was in the journey and tend to come here more to assure people they are doing just fine Anyway, I wish you the best of luck and hope to see you around! Erica