What's your experience been with support groups?

VickyO
on 12/1/10 1:40 am - Riverside, CA

Hi guys.....
so, what is your experience been like with WLS support groups?
I'm not thrilled with mine at Kaiser.....they seem to really focus on RYN and the facilitator just can't believe we can loose 100+ with VSG.... and sometimes it feels like a "TOPS" meeting.....this one lady gets so pissed of when someone mentions chewing gum that she just grabs her stack of crap and leaves the meetings......kinda funny, yet kinda sad.

I used to go to OA many, many years ago....not sure how they would fill about WLS nowadays....?

sublimate
on 12/1/10 2:33 am, edited 12/1/10 2:34 am - San Jose, CA

VSG on 07/27/10

OA has a special support group online for those who are Overeaters but also have had WLS. If you are interested please let me know and I'll try to get you the info. Probably still a lot of RNY people but might be a better situation than what you are in now.

I kind of make my own support group by connecting with other people from OH, getting their phone numbers and calling them a few times a week to connect with others in various stages of the VSG game.

The one on one conversations and connections with people that I really feel are on the same page with me helps, rather than going to an open/local support group with people that may not have anything in common with me.

I do go monthly to the support group for my doctor, and there are some great folks there, but I do find it very helpful to do the one on one phone calls.

Start weight: 388, Current Weight: 185, Goal Weight: 180, Weight Lost: 203 lbs
Certified Nutritionist ♥ VSG FAQ♥ sublimate: To elevate or uplift.
3/2012 Plastics: LBL, 3 Hernias Fixed, BL/BA, Rhinoplasty & Septum Fix. 6/2013 Plastics: Arm and thigh lift

mini_me_ now
on 12/1/10 4:22 am

VSG on 07/06/09

I have been to two different ones, the one in san diego was mainly all vsg patients, with only one or two that had the rny or lap band.. as much as i enjoyed going, it was pretty much the same meeting week after week.. they basically went around the room and each person told their story.

I went to one here in NH where most people had lap band and then the rest were rny i was the only one with vsg, they disccussed all their complications most of which i have never been through.

I think though to be honest i didnt really go into the 2nd meeting with the right attitude because i knew before i went id be the only sleeve patient, they dont do sleeve here yet, the only ones with sleeve have had it done in boston or out of state, so i went into the meeting feeling i was a fish out of water and sat back and just listened.

I know longer really feel that way, as we are all wls patients, we have all been permantly altered internally so therefore we all have something in common, we can all get vitamin deficiencies and we are all fighting for the same goals to get our weight off and keep it off.
so maybe one day ill venture back and start going again and take my new attitude along LOL.

Linda 5".4

6lbs under goal weight
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frisco
on 12/1/10 7:30 am

VSG on 09/30/09

First I have to say I have NEVER been a "club" kinda guy........
I don't join associations, clubs or groups.....Wait.... as a kid I was a Cub Scout for a year.....

When I had my surgery with LapSF they told me about the meetings...... I'm like.... yah OK....whatever...

I don't think I went to my first one till about 8 months out.

I have a choice of going to San Francisco or San Jose meetings.

I now have been to several....... and I have to say that I enjoy them. A group of like minded folks on the same path with similar problems and goals.....

I think the most important thing for me is to have face time with my surgeon..... It keeps me connected to him and the process.

frisco

SW 338lbs. GW 175lbs. Goal in 11 months. CW 148lbs. WL 190lbs.

      " To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art "

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MikeyMike
on 12/1/10 7:51 am - New York, NY

VSG on 03/03/10

It was a requirement for my Surgeon to go to one meeting preop and one postop. The meetings are once a month (first Tuesday). It's a combined Sleeve/RNY Group. Lap Band has a separate meetings the 2nd Wednesday.

I have to say, I really enjoy them. The next meeting will be the first meeting that I will miss since last December. I was trying to plan my schedule around the support group meeting but just couldn't do it. Gotta pay my bills.

I have formed some really good relationships. Everyone is supportive of each other. We don't focus on the surgery just life after surgery. We had a clothing exchange last month.

The group is run by the Baratric coordinator for the surgeon. The Dr.s have never come to a meeting. Although the coordinator told me that Dr. Vohra (The lead Dr.) is coming to this meeting. The coordinator tries to keep neutral. We created a facebook page and she won't join as she wants to keep it patients supporting patients.

We created an Angel program where some of us visit patients a day or two after surgery to offer support. That program has really worked out well. It's not difficult for me as I live five blocks from the hospital.

I've also tried going to an independent group that wasn't affiliated with any surgeon. It was OK a bit far from my house. They just started up another chapter of that group that is closer to my house. I may give that a shot.

   Highest Weight: 380                      Consult Weight: 357             Surgery Weight: 309
Goal Weight: 220 (9/29/10)    Revised Goal Range 215-220 Current Weight: 224
Plastics: Circumferential Lower Body Lift - 11/18/2011
              Gynecomastia - 6/14/2012

Jackie
Multiplepetmom
on 12/1/10 8:59 am

VSG on 08/05/08

I have only had support online, although that has been going pretty well. I have to ask, what about chewing gum - why does it come up and why does it make her mad?

once upon a time I had a group to talk about Binge Eating Disorder, and later one about Clean Eating.

PM me if you are interested in either of these.

size 8, life is great

VickyO
on 12/1/10 11:39 am - Riverside, CA

most of the people there are RNYers and they are not supposed to have gum and many VSGers have been told the same thing. I can't recall how it came up, someone asked about it and this lady is very black and white, so if it's not on the list, then she can handle hearing it.

Jackie
Multiplepetmom
on 12/2/10 12:51 am

VSG on 08/05/08

she must have a very hard life!!

once upon a time I had a group to talk about Binge Eating Disorder, and later one about Clean Eating.

PM me if you are interested in either of these.

size 8, life is great

jimbovsg
on 12/1/10 9:50 am

VSG on 09/01/09

I feel they are an important part of this process! It is nice to be W/ like minded folks (MO, formerly MO, and had WLS!) We understand each other.....like NO others can! I am involved in 3 of them! All of them are different, and I take away different "things" from each. B****he chewing gum thing is funny.....wish I could witness an episode! It is VERY important to find one you like,and feel "supported" in....... if not, what good is it?

JIMBO...  350lbs! lost!..... TRIPLE CENTURY CLUB!!  HELL ...YEAH!
MY  VSG......KICKS ASS!

I am   6' 2"

diane S.
on 12/1/10 12:11 pm

VSG on 11/17/09

I am fortunate that lapsf has a support group in our area. it used to be every other month but is now monthly. I had tried to organize a support group for the interim months with mixed success. Its a small group and our surgeon comes so one can get pretty good help and discussion. always enjoy them. I am always trying to drag people to them in order to make sure that lapsf keeps coming to our area. There was another local surgeon doing barriatric surgery that had a support group that i went to a couple of times. It was actually pretty good because the surgeon never came but they had a dietician, a psychologist or some other person speak and it was always interesting. but i haven't been to that one in a long time. and i heard that surgeon is leaving the area. I would go to one more often if there was one but i think to get one i would have to organize it myself. guess i could see what the attitude at OA is about wls patients around here in our small town. But since i have reached my goal and appear to be a normal weight bperson (heck i AM a normal weight person now) don't know how that would be received. Meanwhile, support here has always been very important to me and that ain't gonna change. d

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