Who attends a local support group? Do you feel you benefit?

Do you attend a local support group- perhaps one sponsored by your surgeon?   YES regularly_____  occassionally_____ never have______ (Just started)


Do you feel you benefit from these sessions?

YES very much__X - even though I have only attended the one, I can see that it is something that will make a huge difference for me.  I'm hoping to have a revision done on the stapling I had done in 2000 - I had not heard of support groups at that time.
Yes slightly______

Slightly_____

not at all_____

and last question....

what do you think makes a good support  group?  Knowledgeable leader, participants who participate. 

Ah Candace! You got it! Participants who participate! woo hoo

Please keep us all posted as to how your revision goes...
Do you have a date for it, or are you just in the planning stages?

  Is  the pre-op juggling act similar to the first time surgery? All those appointments and paperwork ... Gak! enough to make me sick!


Wishing you continued success!

I have an appointment with tomorrow to get blood work done, but other than that we are waiting to find out what the insurance company says.  If everything goes as Dr. Meyers hopes, I should be in surgery by mid January.

I have to have a stress test, and another test where they check my previous surgery, but I do not have to go through all of the other stuff, so I would say, from what I can remember, this will be a much easier process.

Candace the reason you didn't hear of any groups in 2000 is because there weren't any!  I went 3 years after surgery before I saw another post-op!!  It worked to my advantage though because I just assumed I couldn't fail and I was able to get in a good groove and succeed because I didn't know any better.  I sure hope you're able to get that revision because I don't know anyone that worked for back then and a good friend of mine was sick every day for years.  She revised and is doing well. 
hugs, Y

 

Yvonne,

Thank you, that is encouraging. I do not know anyone it worked for back then either, but I do know a few who have had revisions and are doing great so I am very optimistic.

1. YES
2.  YES very much so
3.  My support group is an open free for anyone (in what ever stage of wls).  I love that the group is not structured nor is it run by a single person.  I enjoy that the group is primarily OH members as well which helps us keep one another updated with progress, issues, etc daily.  It's a great group of all ages.  Every meeting has rewarded me with a little something that I didn't know before... so that is a great feeling when I learn something new.  We have about 50 members - male/female, we have a clothing exchange so that's a great part as well.  Not having to purchase clothing as you loose weight.... what a great plus!  I love my local support group!

HAPPY DAY,
BRANDI

Hey Brandi... What a great thing having a clothing exchange... One young woman I just met at our last group will be getting some of my stuff next group! She is an OH member also!
This isn't "officially" sponsered by group- we arranged it between ourselves. I'll just have her come over to my car afterward and she can take stuff home and try it on!

Wish some of the smaller people would bring stuff that I could use about now..  size 14ish stuff.... maybe someday..


Kinda like paying it forward.. but NOT forgetting where we've all been!

Hey Brandi, we have something similiar here too.  We have a bonded group of close to 100 people that meet on a pretty regular basis for dinner.  I am part of a group called RYD Obesity and we have put on two events and had what I called the "world's largest clothing exchange."  We had a huge banquet hall full.

I think it's awesome that it's open to all and that you're learning so much!  Thanks for sharing.
hugs, Y

Do you attend a local support group- perhaps one sponsored by your surgeon?   YES regularly_X____  occassionally_____ never have______


Do you feel you benefit from these sessions?

YES very much_X___
Yes slightly______

Slightly_____

not at all_____

and last question....

what do you think makes a good support  group?
A moderator or facilitator is great.  Topics of interest & need.  No sales intent.  I will learn about & purchase weight loss products, plastic surgery, etc on my own.  Sales pitches do not constitute a useful support group for me.  I prefer not to have a lot of recipes, & food served, either.  The best groups for me have focused on resources, emotional issues, coping, &/or changing to pursue this new lifestyle.  Most of the time, I go only for the people I will meet.  I have sought out my own informal support group of people I meet at group or in the surgeon's gym or office. It benefits me also when I feel that my experience & sharing may encourage others. 

T... Really sales at a group? that is disgusting. Especially if it is coming from the moderator!  Now if someone says they found something that is helpful fine but selling NO NO NO!

on the point about recipes... Can you believe one Weigh****chers leader years ago handed out a recipe for PEANUT BRITTLE? WHAT was she thinking? (it was NOT low cal)
The best groups for me have focused on resources, emotional issues, coping, &/or changing to pursue this new lifestyle.

emotional issues oh we have plenty.... it was wonderful for me to find out that another woman actually sat in her car in the dark end of Burger King lot eating her Whopper like I HAD!!! (if you sit in your car in the dark... you don't have to count the calories.... ) or have anyone you know see you eating things you know you probably should avoid.

It benefits me also when I feel that my experience & sharing may encourage others. 

Again.. this is what others have stated. Participation - sharing- brings mutual benefit!