Disappointed in support group
Hi!
I know a lot of people are gone and the board is going to be very quiet this weekend.
I went to my first support group at the hospital for lap band patients. I thought it started at 12 and it wasn't until 12:45. So I went to the cafe and had a diet pudding, a crystal light and a decaf coffee.
It ended up being only 1 other lady (who had her surgery in July), the nutritionist and myself.
There is another one on a Thursday evening later in the month and I am hoping more folk will be at that one.
Over 65 people have had lap band surgery at this hospital, where are they all at????
Jeane
I know a lot of people are gone and the board is going to be very quiet this weekend.
I went to my first support group at the hospital for lap band patients. I thought it started at 12 and it wasn't until 12:45. So I went to the cafe and had a diet pudding, a crystal light and a decaf coffee.
It ended up being only 1 other lady (who had her surgery in July), the nutritionist and myself.
There is another one on a Thursday evening later in the month and I am hoping more folk will be at that one.
Over 65 people have had lap band surgery at this hospital, where are they all at????
Jeane
I found when setting up my support group that the only reason some came was because the doc required so many before surgery.....guess what happened after surgery, yep, they don't come.....it goes in waves......depends on weather and holidays also.
Women are angels.
...and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly...on a broomstick.
We are flexible.
Darlene
...and when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly...on a broomstick.
We are flexible.
Darlene
Jeane....I am sorry that you feel "alone"......that's the pitts. At least you have this forum to come to and get some encouragement. I live in a rather small city and as of yet there are no support groups and yet there are several people that have had WLS or about to have it. I guess that is why I felt so good when I found this site. But I know what you mean.....it would be nice to talk things over with people in person. Hang in there and perhaps you will find a meeting with more people attending besides you and the Nut.
Good luck to you and keep on posting here on OFF.
Love, Sandy
Good luck to you and keep on posting here on OFF.
Love, Sandy
Thanks, Sandy!
I am also very thankful for have found this forum! There are two ladies in my area, one who has already had surgery last week (at another hospital) and one who is hoping to have surgery at the hospital that I used. I am hoping we can start getting together once a month or so.
Blessings,
Jeane
I am also very thankful for have found this forum! There are two ladies in my area, one who has already had surgery last week (at another hospital) and one who is hoping to have surgery at the hospital that I used. I am hoping we can start getting together once a month or so.
Blessings,
Jeane
Jeane,
The lack of attendance can be discouraging. A year and a half ago, I took over leading the two support groups here - RNY & Lap-band. The first hour was supposed to be for POST-ops, the second hour the pre-ops could join the meeting. After a few weeks of sitting alone for an hour, I changed the set up and invited pre-ops to come first and post-ops to join ... whenever. Finally, I had people for the meeting.
My WLS e-mail list is now over 200 people. These are people who have come because they HAD to for surgery, post-ops, curious people, and a handful of dedicated group members.
Each week I send meeting notes and reminders to all of them. A few people respond to let me know they can't attend, some tell me they appreciate the notes even though they have to miss the meetings, but mostly, few respond and there may only be a dozen or so at each meeting.
If your time is spent with only the nutritionist, you are getting one-one support. If more people attend, don't faint. It seems to be the nature of the beast. Sorry for my sarcasm this morning.
Don't give up on the meetings. There will be ebbs and flows, but you can be a constant. I have noticed that the most successful people are the ones who attend the support groups. We are fortunate to have our OFF family for support.
Annette
The lack of attendance can be discouraging. A year and a half ago, I took over leading the two support groups here - RNY & Lap-band. The first hour was supposed to be for POST-ops, the second hour the pre-ops could join the meeting. After a few weeks of sitting alone for an hour, I changed the set up and invited pre-ops to come first and post-ops to join ... whenever. Finally, I had people for the meeting.
My WLS e-mail list is now over 200 people. These are people who have come because they HAD to for surgery, post-ops, curious people, and a handful of dedicated group members.
Each week I send meeting notes and reminders to all of them. A few people respond to let me know they can't attend, some tell me they appreciate the notes even though they have to miss the meetings, but mostly, few respond and there may only be a dozen or so at each meeting.
If your time is spent with only the nutritionist, you are getting one-one support. If more people attend, don't faint. It seems to be the nature of the beast. Sorry for my sarcasm this morning.
Don't give up on the meetings. There will be ebbs and flows, but you can be a constant. I have noticed that the most successful people are the ones who attend the support groups. We are fortunate to have our OFF family for support.
Annette
Annette 
Hello, Annette:
No, I won't quit going to the support groups, I think it is very important for my success. I do hope others show up and I am hoping that the last Thursday evening at 5:30 will have more folks attending.
Yes, I am very thankful for OFF and all of the friends and support that are here!
Thanks,
Jeane
No, I won't quit going to the support groups, I think it is very important for my success. I do hope others show up and I am hoping that the last Thursday evening at 5:30 will have more folks attending.
Yes, I am very thankful for OFF and all of the friends and support that are here!
Thanks,
Jeane
Hi Jeane
I lead a post op support group meeting here in Little Rock. We started last January and I've seen a steady increase in attendance since. Yes, it was very slow at the beginning, but those of us who have been there since the beginning have become very close.
There are three doctors who's patients come, only one requires his patients to attend support group meetings post op. Of course, wouldn't you know it, mine is one who doesn't require it. So, very few of the people attend at first because they "want to", but us "old timers" try very hard to make newbies feel welcome and important.
Studies have shown that if you attend 5 support group meetings a month you have a 77% greater chance of reaching goal and maintaining your weight. If you have an opportunity to have one on one meetings with your Nut, go for it!!! Consider yourself very fortunate that you get to see one at all!
I agree with George, that time of the day is REALLY tough for most folks.
I lead a post op support group meeting here in Little Rock. We started last January and I've seen a steady increase in attendance since. Yes, it was very slow at the beginning, but those of us who have been there since the beginning have become very close.
There are three doctors who's patients come, only one requires his patients to attend support group meetings post op. Of course, wouldn't you know it, mine is one who doesn't require it. So, very few of the people attend at first because they "want to", but us "old timers" try very hard to make newbies feel welcome and important.
Studies have shown that if you attend 5 support group meetings a month you have a 77% greater chance of reaching goal and maintaining your weight. If you have an opportunity to have one on one meetings with your Nut, go for it!!! Consider yourself very fortunate that you get to see one at all!
I agree with George, that time of the day is REALLY tough for most folks.
Susan
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