support group in Hurley, Wisconsin area?

I just moved here from out of state and am missing my support group meetings?  Does anyone know if there are any close by this area?

Hi cydney.  As you probably have found out by now nothing is close to anything in the northwoods.  I'm in Mercer and just starting to find out about having surgery.  Minoqua has a support group that meets the fourth Monday of every other month.  The next is October 26 at 6:30 at Marshfield Clinic Minoqua Center 9601 Townline Road.  I am planning on going.  It is for those looking into surgery and those that have had it.  It's a dietician supported group according to its brochure.  For more information you can contact Diane Johnson at 715.358.1167.  She's the dietician I have been seeing to get the 6 month diet out of the way.  Very nice.  Hope this helps.  I can give you directions if you decide to go.  If you find one closer let me know.  Good luck.
deb

Deb,
Thanks so much.  I will have to check into that support group.  Good luck with your surgery.  I am a year out now and don't regret it one minute.  It is definitely a life style change.  I am able to move.  We are not far apart, please keep in touch with me to let me know how you are doing.  Support is something that is really needed.  Where will you be having your surgery?

Good luck.

Cydney

Dr. Seidel in Minoqua is really good from anything that I hear.  He's done over 1000.  His daughter is his assistant-also an MD.  Only problem is he only does open RNY.  My job requires heavy lifting so am concerned bout hernias.  Said he would give referral if I would like.  Very nice man.  Don't really want to go further away. 

What did you have done?  Are you happy with it?

I had lap RNY.  I was lucky and my liver was down enough that they did not have to do an open. I had lysis of adhesions that he had to clean up before he could do my surgery so that took a little longer and I was pretty sore afterwards.   My doc said even open though the incision would not bevery big.   He also kept me off work for the full 8 weeks anyway even with the lap.  He said it was necessary to get used to the new life style.  Hernias are a big concern especially with the weakened stomach muscles that we have from being over weight.  I have lost 154 pounds since my surgery a year ago.  Kind of at a stand still, but only have 15 more to go until goal weight according to my doc. 

OK I'm probably going to be jealous but how much have you lost?

I am down 154 pounds. I need to get back to my exercise regimen, but since moving up here I have been kind of in limbo.  I used to do water aerobics every morning and then also did walking.  Now I walk, but not much else.    My job does not help either, I am a medical transcriptionist so I sit on my bum all day long.

Hang in there.  You will get there too.  Don't buy any clothes, try to find used as much as possible.  I was so lucky to have a girlfriend who had cleaned her closet out from her 6 different sizes and that got me through until now.  Now I have nothing, lol.  I told my hubby that he needs to get me winter clothes since he moved me up here to the land of snow.

Stay in touch and let me know how things are going for you.  How far along on your 6 month diet are you?  I did not have to do that as I had enough health factors that made it okay for me to be approved right away.  I did have to have a sleep apnea study, gag spit sputter and got a stupid CPAP machine which I absolutely hated, but I don't need it anymore. 

Every doc is different in your diet and everything.  I had a really rough time getting all of my protein in and had a lot of hair loss, but it is coming back.  Had a hard time after surgery getting the protein shakes down....  tried lots of brands...the colder the better.

Know what you mean about land of snow.  Originally from Dubuque and liked it there.  Hubby likes the north woods.  Still not sure why after 4 years..................  Only on month 2 of diet.  Have grade 4-5 kidney failure, hypertension, diabetes and sleep apnea-other than that I'm in great shape!  -know what you mean about CPAP-have to take Ambien or it goes flying across the room-literally.  You would think that having so many things they would make an exception.  Was on a modified fast for 2 weeks and didn't lose a lb. just riled up my poor gallbladder.  Guess I just have to take the steps as they come.  Are you going to try the support group Oct. 26 or are you working?  What protein shakes did you use?  Nice to be able to talk to someone fairly close by.
You did great with 154 lbs.  I should be so lucky by this time in a couple of years.
deb

I won't make the support group on the 26th.  We are just moving into our home that we bought then.  but definitely will keep it in mind.  I know it is important to have support.  Your doctor is closer than Duluth too, so I will probably look to him for my return appointments. 

I have done all of the shakes, the ones from WalMart which is body fortess, MAX Protein, and did not really like any of them too much.  I froze some in ice cubes after blending.  That helped.  Mixed vanilla with yogurt that helped.  The cookies and cream was my favorite from MAX Protein.  It had less grit.

Wow your insurance must be really fussy.  I was lucky my insurance went with me being super morbidly obese, hypertension, and sleep apnea, along with my legs failing because of the weight.  I know every insurance is different.  It makes it very difficult and frustrating.  

Did they start you on protein yet?  I was started on 1 shake a day right off the bat, but with kidney failure....probably not a good thing, but the protein did help me lose some weight before the surgery.  My friend who had it done had help issues like you and now is no longer on any insulin or hypertension medication at all.

You will do fine!  It is amazing as it comes off.  Stay in touch.

no protein yet.  Actually only saw the surgeon accidently.  Told me it would be a possible 2 month wait and I got in the next day as he opened some time so had no questions ready etc.  It was a total surprise.
Still working on insurance. 
Hope your move goes well.  Hope you aren't on one of the roads under construction in Hurley.