In-Person Support Groups

That's another good idea, looking/calling around to see about other support groups. I only know of the one that my program puts on, but I know they're not the only bariatric center in the city, so there could be other options if this one doesn't fit.

My surgeon's office does not expect any interaction with new pre op, in the process pre op's or PO's during a meeting. No one at the support groups are ever made to feel that they need to be uncomfortable during any of the monthly support groups. All of the patients pre and PO are welcomed. And the guests that they might bring.

You are going to find many people that are at various stages of before weight loss, during and after. There really isn't any reason to be self conscious about your weight. IF that happens to you while at a support group then shame on those that run the group and those that have their noses in the air that might be PO.

I highly encourage you to attend the support group. Hopefully you will benefit.

My husband and I still attend our support group meetings even after 14 yrs PO. We try to be of an encouragement to the newbies.

Follow up with the board to tell us how your journey is going!

Oh, I'm not really worried that anybody will be making me uncomfortable, it's really more of my own mental block. :/

Thanks for the input! It does seem like the consensus is to give things a try, so I'll have to check with my program and see when the next meeting is. :)

I just want to add a little tidbit about my experience....

i have never been much of a support group person but my Bariatric center requires you to attend two support groups prior to surgery so I went of course and it was PAINFUL.

Basically she goes over the diet progression, never really deviating from her script...

like at this point I could recite it for you exactly... same inflection, same jokes....

because I still go... the post op meeting is right after and she makes all the Pre ops leave - then the post ops talk. No real structure - what ever is on your mind. There are usually between 6-12 of us and it's good.

I still go to the pre op meetings - basically just to pay it forward if someone has a question or needs support and those meetings still suck.

But im really happy I gave the post op ones a chance - totally a different experience.

That's good to know! I don't think my program separates out the pre/post-op parts, though I guess I won't know until I go! :)

My hospital has monitored support groups 2ce/month. They have been very helpful. I hear about other issues and they help keep me focused. I went to one two weeks ago and I'm almost 8 months post op. In October they're having one on holiday eating challenges and Im planning to do that one too. The people couldn't be nicer and we're all working toward the same goal. It's inspiring to me to meet folks who've hit goal and still come to be accountable to themselves.

That's awesome! I think the group my center has also has different topics/themes on occasion, which seems helpful. :)

I attended two, and found little value in them. I got all the support I needed any day I needed it in groups like this. What's the point if you have to wait a week or a month to ask questions?

Yes, I feel like an in-person support group would definitely provide a different kind of support than something online that has the benefit of immediacy and convenience. I will say that I live in a pretty fit city and don't know many people who are overweight, let alone morbidly obese, so I can see how it would be nice to meet some people who are going through what I am in a very real sense.

I haven't been able to make any of the meetings put on by my surgeon's office. But I'm going tomorrow to meet a group that is lay led and strictly post-op, and I'm excited about it. I generally don't do in-person support groups much at all, but I'm feeling like as I move into more of a maintenance mode (though I still have 25# to lose) a year out, that I need to have in-person groups to meet with. They also do activities like virtual 5Ks and things that may help keep me motivated.