Question:
I'd like to hear some ideas of things they did at your surgeon's office that helped.

(ie - clothing exchange, newsletter, angel network, etc) and what you thought of them.    — Rebecca L. (posted on November 28, 2002)

November 29, 2002
My surgeon works for a teaching hosp which is also a trauma center. Its a large hosp and they perform up to 4 RNY's a day. He teaches an orientation meeting every mth for all people and their families interested in learning about the surgery, and is also required for all preop's to attend. Right afterwards the Support Group begins for 2 hrs. It's great and I enjoy going so much. They have a guest speaker each mth. This mth (Nov) they had a Pysch come in and speak on stress over the holiday season & ways to avoid the stress and possible overeating. After he spoke one of the members gave her testimony about her surgery results and we even played a game that was fun. Our nutritionist runs the group and we share recipes and brands of products we use. Clothing exchange also. Sometimes the surgeon will refer a postop to go visit a certain postop who is still in the hosp if they need some encouragement. He sent three people in to visit me. I had by original bypass by another surgeon in another town. There was malpractice & neglect involved, me in a coma and almost dying. I was rushed to this trauma center where my current surgeon performed 4 more surgeries within a 3 week period to repair the damage. I was in for 4 mths. Depressed, in terrible pain, couldnt walk, and feeling so hopeless. The three people he sent in to visit me were such a blessing and a great help. We all exchanged addresses and phone #'s. One came in with a goodie bag that had stuff like a pen, paper, hand lotion, powder, an invitation to support group, and one of the restaurant cards we show requesting we be able to order off the childrens or seniors menu because we had Gastric Bypass which altered our stomach, etc. Our support grp now has an online support now on Yahoo in the "groups" section. My surgeon attends all the support groups too and its wonderful to have ongoing contact with him like that. I have to say they give you such support and almost always available to someone for any support. They mail out & email calendars of upcoming events, & mthly reminders. I sometimes wish they were more often than once a mth cause I enjoy it so much. Everyone is so friendly and open. But I also get alot of support on this site as well.
   — Karla K.