Hi!!!

I just had RNY over a week ago.  The thing is I had it in Mexico and I am looking for support in Nashville.  Does anyone know of a support group in Nashville or Middle TN area?  I guess one that would allow me to go to since I wouldn't have been a patient of the one that was offering it.  I have so many questions.  Thanks for all your responses.   I am feeling really good except for left shoulder pain.  That will go away really soon right?  I lost 11 lbs my first week.  I am kind of worried I am not getting enough to eat.  I have been drinking water like crazy but I have only been able to consume about 3 ozs of protein shake.  My meds I have to take have been like my meals.  I also think I have a fairly large pouch about 3-6 oz.  I am so afraid of getting dyhdrated so I am thinking water is more important than shake?  If I could get some help I would appreciate it.  Thanks

I recommend you contact one of the hospitals that offer WLS.

I had mine at Baptist and they have a monthly group for all the surgeries offered.  I see that you had RNY so that group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 530pm.  Oh, and there is no cost.

I do not beleive that they require you to be a patient... as a matter of fact I know that they do not require you to have had surgery there as I know a couple of people that had their surgeries elsewhere.

One other thing that I would recommend is to find an ongoing Doctor to keep up with your labs and after care/post-op duties.  I recommend one that is a WLS Surgeon because they will know all the test that need to be run.  These visits should be covered under normal insurance.

Good Luck!

Michael.

Vanderbuilt Health at One Hundred Oaks Mall (on Thompson Lane) meets every Wednesday. They also have one that meets another day but I'm not sure what day it is.You could call Vanderbuilt Health at One Hundred Oaks Center for Weight Loss Surgery and ask. On Wednesday the leader is Trina and she is wonderful, She is on this forum maybe she will post a reply to your post.

Are you saying that you are only able to consume 3 oz of protein shake at a time? If so, that is normal. Just try to increase the amount of protein you get as you feel able. You are right that the water is very important, especially at this time.

The shoulder pain will get better. It is caused by the gas they have to use during surgery. Walking will help move it along faster.

I also recommend Baptist support group. The group is open to anyone, no matter where you had your surgery. Our next meeting will be August 3 at 5:30 in the Guy Bates Center located in Plaza I medical center across Church Street from Baptist Hospital. There are signs once you enter the building.

Our Franklin group meets the first Monday of the month. Our next meeting is this coming Monday. Details below:
Franklin Support Group Time: 6:00 - 7:30 Location: Franklin Public Library Moderator: Pam Davis [email protected] Directions to the Franklin Public Library I-65 to Exit 65 (Franklin exit) Hwy 96-W (toward downtown) Go about 2.7 miles to Church St. Turn left onto Church St. (.2m) Turn left onto Columbia Avenue The library is approximately .5m on the right.

You can also check out our website event calendar for all the support groups we offer, most are also listed on the OH Tennessee site under the event schedule.

Thank you,

Thursday POST-OP Support Group
Sherise Stogner, Patient Representative
Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks, Suite 22119
4th Thursday of every month
5:30 pm

I saw where Centential has one in Franklin (saw you are from there) and it is open to all but I don't recall the dates and times. 
They had a group called the Lunch Bunch that the person that was setting up a once a month lunch meeting but she just stepped down from the position.  I asked her for some details and figure if no one else would do it I would to be able to get the opportunity to meet others.