Support Group or Tips for a Newbie ( pre op/waiting for a date)in Virginia Beach? :-P

Hi Every One! I have been reading these boards for a while, and based on what I have read and a few people that I have talked to , I decided to try for the Roux en Y by pass. I would appreciate any tips, ideas, and if there are any good support groups in the area. Also, I emailed Lei and she is a god send. I am pretty scared and excited at the same time. Actually I am a whole lot of scared and less excited, but I can see the out comes and I so want to be there. Thanks ! Cindy

Hi Cindy and welcome to the best board for everything. I had my surgery in Dec and would do it again in a heart beat. I am healthier than I have been in years and it has been a life changing experience..Lei is a wonderful lady and full of imformation...so is Natalie...I am sure you will get plenty of advise and info....Glad to see you posting. Hugs, Betsy

Cindy, There's a great support group that meets in Chesapeake at the hospital the 2nd Thursday of every month. There's one that meets in virginia Beach too but I'm not sure exactly where. I really helps to see people in person and hear the stories and ask questions. It really helped me solidify my decision. I wish you luck in your journey...and it is a journey, some of it rocky, some of it smooth but when it's over you'll hopefully be a better person for having tried . Don't feel bad about being scared. I was terrified but I wouldn't change my decision if I could. Liz highest 261 current 196 goal 135 RNY 12-28-05

Hello Cindy ~ Glad to see you found the forum and was able to post your question. If you don't rec'v many replies about the local support groups, you might want to try posting it again on MONDAY. People tend to stay BUSY during the weekends and computer time is hard to come by. Anyway - just wanted to say HELLO and WELCOME!!! Hugs ~ Lei IF ANY OF YOU IN THE TIDEWATER AREA KNOW OF LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS, please share the information on this thread. My surgery was in Washington State and I have NO knowledge of local support groups, surgeons or hospitals. Thanks in advance!

I know this is kind of late. I just had to give you the "support group" info I have. I usually attend 2-3 support groups per month. There is one held the first Tuesday of each month in the Virginia Beach General area -- across from the Emergency Room -- in the Health Education Center. It is a "sand" colored building diagonally across from the ER and parking is behind or across from it. It begins at 7 p.m. Norfolk Surgical Group has two per month. I had my surgery with Dr. Wohlgemuth of Norfolk Surgical -- he is the best!!!! The first is held the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Lifestyle Building beside Chesapeake General Hospital on Battlefield Blvd. It begins at 7 p.m. The second support meeting with Norfolk Surgical is held the 4th Thursday of each month at Sentara Leigh Hospital on Kempsville Road in Norfolk. Drive down the right hand side of the hospital. When it becomes a one story building, park your car. Walk down the sidewalk -- you will see the cafeteria to your right as you walk down the sidewalk. The meeting is in a room at the back of the cafeteria. It starts at 7 p.m. All three are open to the public. The meeting at Leigh (4th Thursday of the months) usually has one of the surgeons present for question and answer. The Va Beach General and the Leigh meeting have a Registered Dietician present for question and answer. The Chesapeake General and the Leigh have Bariatric Program Coordinator available for question and answer. Come join us -- they are all great!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you ! I am going to try the one at Chesapeake General, since I go to class thursday nights out that way. I go tomorrow for my nutrition (sp?) and fitness class, and on Friday for a body scan. Then next week is my day at the hospital for all of the liver ,gall bladder and blood work. So all I am waiting for is the psych eval ( hope i pass) and a date. I will be checking this site daily for help, ideas, and just to read about how all of you terrific people are going through /did go through etc. Lei, thank you again for being so quick to respond and help. I felt like writing you was a good thing, and I can see that I was right. Thanks again for every ones input! Cindy