Any support groups in S. Jersey?

Looking for a support group in S. Jersey that is open for anyone to attend. My surgeon will be in N. Jersey but I live near Medford and would like to find a local group to join. Anyone know of anything nearby? Heather

hi i dont know any groups down your way, but maybe someone will answer you. i am in the toms river area and there is one at community hosptial the first friday of every month, and in lakewood at Kimball medical center the third monday of every month. good luck, jacki

Thanks Jacki...it's seeming a little hopeless around here!  I know of a couple of different groups but they seem to part of a bigger program which you pay for generally.  I think I've even posted this same question before!  I guess I was hoping someone would have something to suggest.  If I have to I'll join one I have to pay for I guess. Heather

there is one in voorhees -- try to get ahold of "nobetterwoman" and she will have that info for you -- also there is one at Penn Hosp in philly -- not sure if it is open to the public yet -- but it's free -- and hannahemann (i know i spelled that wrong) hospital has a free support group also -- and i thought there was one in Pitman -- but that would be out of your way -- i come from lindenwold and have driven up to toms river once -- looking forward to going back -- i could pick you up on the way if you want -- i go right up 70 to get there  and i'm a believer in never paying for the support groups -- there are free ones -- just have to find them  roberta

Thanks for the info. Roberta! I tried a search for "nobetterwoman" and didn't come up with anything...any suggestions on how to find her? Any other information about the one in Voorhees? I am a believer that I shouldn't have to pay for a support group too...the program I'm referring to includes other things (like a nutritionist and behavior therapist) too. Still searching.... Heather

Heather, I want to back up what Roberta had to say.  I also am part of the Pennsylvania Hospital group.  The support meetings the last Tuesday of the month are open to the public, at least I have never been stopped.  You sign in during the meeting mostly to get the credit for attending pre-op.  I e-mail our Nut (hi Roberta, I included you in the "our").  at least once a month with questions and he promptly gets back to me.  Also, he has a guest speaker at an intensive support group that I attended. If you are interested in the information on that group, which meets in Haddonfield, PM me.  The cost is $180.00 for 6 sessions, but as I said it is intensive group therapy for WLS patients. Good luck in your journey. Once you get all the odds and ends out of the way. Jeanne

WELL I WISH YOU LUCK WITH YOUR SEARCH THEN.  I DONT KNOW OF ANY OTHER GROUPS.  THERE IS ONE AT ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON IN HAMILTON, NOT SURE IF FREE OR NOT THOUGH. THE TWO IN TOMS RIVER AND LAKEWOOD ARE FREE PEER RUN SUPPORT GROUPS BUT I KNOW THATS A LONG TRIP FOR YOU. KEEP THE FAITH, JACKI

heather go over there <--- to "member list" -- go to page 9 -- nobetterwoman is listed there -- i tried to copy and paste it but it wouldn't let me  good luck oh btw -- i paid $200 for Nut and $200 for psych and i have free support groups -- beats the hell out of those $1800 "program fees" --and if the doc's office wants to throw in "paperwork for disability" and whatever other paperwork there is -- ask the question "do you have to pay for paperwork if i was having my gallbladder out?" or any other surgery for that fact -- they know they can make the money on fat people -- they know that most fat people are desperate to have this surgery -- so most will pay -- it's a shame -- another form of discrimination and abuse  off the soap box again :)

Thanks everyone for all the ideas...I will research and be sure to post if I find anything...sounds like I'm not the only one looking!  For some reason the surgeons around here seem to have a niche' for using outside programs that are mandatory and cost the patient close to $2000 to join...once people have paid the $ they're obviously going to go to THAT group...so there just doesn't appear to be any other groups going that are open to the general public.  I may end up having to either pay or travel...I'm not thrilled w/ either option to tell you the truth! I was sort of beating myself up over the fact that I've decided to use a surgeon so far away, and then I thought...what if I moved?  I'd be in the same situation...there really needs to be some better options here in S. Jersey! If I had more experience with the whole journey I'd volunteer to just start one in my house!  As much as I've researched I think I could almost lead the thing!  Heather