I'm a Newbie & I need HELP!!!!

Hi Everyone, My name is Jennifer and I am 3 1/2 weeks post-op from Laproscopic Gastric Bypass done by Dr. David Ward at Somerset Med. Center. I feel terrific!!! I am down 21 lbs. and have my 1 month check-up on Thursday of next week. The help I need is this, I went to a Bariatric Angels meeting in BoundBrook and was not impressed. It was run more like an AA meeting and felt very cold and uncompassionate, if that's a word. I love the Chat room here, but it's not like talking to a real person. I want the interaction, the relaying of personal triumphs and defeats, and an occasional recipe or two. Ha Ha. Does anyone know of another person to person support group in or around Piscataway, ie- Middlesex, Morris county? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! By the way Tim, your messages are very motivating. Thank you.

Hi Jennifer and Welcome : ) Lets make the board *here* that way? Post A LOT and I promise to answer and encourage others to post too! I even have some recipes to share, as a male I am a pretty fair cook and WLS has taught me a wrinkle or two that I would love to share : ) Support groups? I *HIGHLY* recommend the one in Toms River.. its 53 miles from your town.. about an hour a way. Daunting... but maybe you could find another person from North Jersey to carpool with? Its only a single time a month (first friday each month) at the hospital in Toms River at 7pm... its worth it... I have been there ONCE.. but Nannette (from this board) and a few others go to that group.. its WARM.. and friendly... and a lot of good information. -Monmouth has a support group.. its only 35 miles away.. I am going to go to that one too.. but never been there? A gentleman from the Toms River Group told me of it.. I will get more information for you and get back okay? For ME.. support is very key.. and for all of us we get it in different ways. I want to see and encourage people here on the NJ board to post more so its a hopping place *here*.. and a place people can get information, questions answered.. and yes a receipe or two : ))) Congratulations.. my RNY was done laproscopically too. Let me know if you need anything, we are here to SUPPORT and encourage you... if you want I would be happy to come pick you up and give you a ride for the first time, for either.....for the Toms River or Monmouth support group the first time, anything we can do to support and encourage you let us know.. okay? Take care : ) Timmy Ray

Dear Timmy Ray, Your message made me cry! Thank you so much for responding! I would love to go to one or both of those meetings, and going with someone else would sure take the pressure off of getting lost and being alone. I would just have to have a date and a time so my husband could get home early enough to go. He works all the way up in Mahwah, and it takes him a good hour and 20 minutes to get home. By the way, where do you live, I wouldn't want you to go out of your way for me. One nice little tidbit, Got into my bathing suit for the first time since the surgery today and there was alot of extra material all over the place. Made me feel good and my husband was very impressed. He said, "See, I told you, you were losing weight!" When you're so big, it's hard to notice the first 20-40 pounds. I know I'll see it in the mirror eventually, but having all that flapping material in the bathing suit sure was powerful. Thank you again for your help and encouragement. I do appreciate it very much! Hope to here from you soon. All my best and keep up the good work yourself, Jennifer

Hey Jennifer -- first of all, congratulations on your weight loss and progress. Second, yes, you need a support group -- I have found it invaluable. The Ocean County WLS Support group that Timmy mentioned to you meets the first Friday of each month at Community Medical Center in Toms River (Auditorium A) from 7-9pm. All post ops are welcome. This is the one near and dear to my heart! The one on Monmouth is sponsored by Dr Borao (no need to be his patient though), and meets the third Thursday of each month at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch from 7-9pm. This one is open to both pre and post ops and can get quite large. Also, by the way, I know that Dr Rafael Capella of Ramsey has a suport group though don't know the details. You could call his office and check it out though -- this may be closer to you too. If you need any more info, please let me know. I hope that you are able to make it to one of our OCWLS meetings though. We would welcome you! Hugs, Lap RNY 6/16/03 -- 336/156

Hi Jennifer ! Hey welcome to the board ! It sounds like you are on track and doing good... I am glad my post perhaps made you smile : ) As Nanette can tell you... the Toms River group is a really supportive group : ) As for helping you get there... where I live is not important :P The whole POINT is getting you involved with positive people that can support you and you can give support too.. thats the whole *thang*. If you can, Jennifer go post on the post about **getting to know you** , its one of the recent posts on the New Jersey board here. Tell us a little bout you, your WLS, and anything else you would like to share : ) We would love to get to know you better !! Congratulations on the weight loss.... I can relate on new and renewed experiences like wearing clothing that I havent been able to for a long time. Your husband sounds like a lucky lad : ) If you want, I would be more than happy to come with you and him to the first Toms River WLS support meeting you can attend sometime, the more the merrier. Its all a matter of helping good folks feel welcome, and then down the road you can invite other people you meet and help the group grow and thrive.. right?? So.. now.. go post us a long post about yourself.. tell us about your experiences, share your interests and goals, and tell us in general about yourself, your life and your WLS experience. We would love to know more about you : ) Godspeed, hugs Take Care Timmy Ray

Hi, I've been going to the meeting in Bound Brook you mentioned. It's an outstanding meeting, you might need to give it some time. Everyone there has been through what you are going through. You can also have the opportunity to get phone numbers from some of the people so you can speak to them one-on-one. Its great to get encouragement here, but to hear it makes a difference. Keep trying.....it works if you work it.

Good Morning Amy! How are you today? I appreciated your post, its so important to encourage each other in this WLS journey. You seem to have a real focus and a lot of energy, it is excellent that you are posting and able to share! Keep posting ... I appreciate your post a lot! Is .. monmouth Junction near monmouth or Long Branch, NJ? Forgive my ignorance.. I lived in Iowa until recently.... so still learning my way around : ) Anyhow... keep up the posting you are an encouragement : ) godspeed Timmy Ray

Hi Jennifer! Live chat Saturday evening @ 8pm. I hope you can attend.. let me know if you have difficulty accessing the chat room? It should be a fun time for all.. hope you can come : ) Timmy Ray

Thanks everyone for your advice and comments. They're really important to me. I've been trying to get my posts to go through, but the computer is fighting me. Hope to be at the chat on Saturday, but not sure. Celebrating my Father's B-Day and don't know what time we'll get home. Then there is always putting the girls to bed. Will try my best to be there though. Thanks again for the help!!! Jen