Interesting support meeting this evening

You're so modest! I've been following you on the boards and really listen to, and appreciate your perspectives. I really like how you phrased your thoughts though! My Mom and I talked about it last night and if I do go back, when my schedule allows because I am NOT going out of my way anymore, I'll definitely do something like that. Like I said, I'm just sad.

We didn't discuss logging or getting water in or what to eat or under eating. I mean we had a whole conversation on cooking pasta and letting it sit because it swells in your stomach. I almost fainted. I have to avoid pasta at all costs right now. lol

Thanks for your support. It means a lot to know I'm not the only one out here. :)

Yeah, unfortunately, people at the meetings have food issues to tackle so sometimes it ends up being, "So, I really want THIS FOOD, how can I eat it and get it down and how much of it can I eat?"

Sigh. I feel you.

I go to two support groups. One is the same as CeCe58 in the above post. We often drive together! That support group is FANTASTIC! It is one of the highlights of my month.

The second one, not so much. I posted about 5 weeks ago my frustration at the last group meeting. I did go again this month, but again sort of questioned why I was there. There are a couple of fairly recent post ops at that meeting who like to talk a lot and work a very different plan than I do (even though we are from the same surgery center). It can be hard sometimes, but I did realize that I am helping a few people there. One woman this week thanked me for my "well said, obviously well researched" rebuttal (her words, not mine!) to what a couple of the people were saying about being able to "eat" anything and still lose weight. So at least I helped someone there. This week I sort of felt like the voice of reason and that was okay.

Another reason I go is that one of the group leaders is a colleague of mine. She is a nice woman and I also go to be supportive of her.

I may not continue too much longer with the group as it doesn't enrich me as does my other support group. I think you have to decide for yourself what you need - both giving and taking - from the group. If it's not meeting your needs, well, then I wouldn't go.

Heh, when I saw this post I thought "hey, that sounds like K's experience!"

There's some crazy people having surgery. Worse, there's some crazy docs that are just slicing and collecting the check instead of REALLY educating people. It makes me sad. And mad.

Here's the comment that got me so bad this week....... "Man, my sleeve is so small it took me two meals to eat my Subway sandwich - and I only ate half!"

Sweet!

LOL... that's 20 kinds of awesome.

Sigh.

When people say stuff like that, I keep waiting for "you've been punked!"

I'm really jealous of your support group!! :) I was hoping it would be something to look forward to each month for me as well. But alas, I feel like I'm just going to show face in a way. My surgeon was there last night and even though he didn't say anything particular to me, I saw him look at me and smile at my progress.

I really appreciate your perspective. And I apologize for missing that post. I'm sure it would have brought up similar sentiments between the two of us. But you're right, I have to decide what I need from this group and if I think I can give something back. I'm just not a confrontational person, but sitting there with my medical knowledge and then consumer knowledge was the most difficult thing in the world last night. This guy is eating a 5 oz steak and he's wondering why he's only lost half a pound. So sad.

Thanks again for your response. I at least feel more validated in a way.

Wow, that's how i ate subways sandwiches before surgery......lol

This post was supposed to be at the bottom in response to the subway comment.

I had a similar experience with my surgeon's support group.  I only went once and when I did it was over two hours of people complaining and talking about how long it takes them to eat donuts and pizza and sandwiches, etc.  One lady was so negative, she just talked about how she hadn't lost weight but couldn't eat anything except fruit and nuts and that no restaurants had food she could eat and blah blah blah.  It was horrible and I was only a few weeks out so it discouraged me from going back.  I did, however, meet some people off of this site that live in my town and we meet about once a month and talk about our experiences.  That is very helpful and I really look forward to those times.  I may try to go back to the official group one day but for now, my own little support group is working great.  Good luck!