Question:
Weekend Support Group in the Philadelphia/Camden NJ area

I am look for a weekend support group as I work late hours during the week. I am open to a online group as well. I know 6 people who have had the surgery and 2 people have passed away. I am getting scared and need some support. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you    — JerseyGirl (posted on November 9, 2004)

November 9, 2004
Bob, The only problem with the HUP support group is that it's for patients of HUP or those who are investigating WLS. Patients of other hospitals programs cannot attend HUP's meetings unless their hospital does not have a WLS support group. I take it that Dr. Kaczmarski's support group doesn't meet Sharon's needs as far as a time? <p> Sharon - I can see what you would be scared. The way I handle it was to make sure that I had the best hospital and the best bariatric program and the best surgeon (or one of the best). I had my surgery with Dr. Raper at HUP on July 17, 2002. I have lost 234 pounds total and 221 since my surgery. My suggestion is to make sure you have chosen your surgeon and hospital for all the right reasons...JR
   — John Rushton

November 9, 2004
PA Hospital (8th & Spruce)is looking to expand their dates for support groups....We have a very big group on the last Tuesday of every month and it is growing. Not sure what day they plan to add but you could call the program coordinator Carrie Buckley for more details. I also attend a meeting that is held on Saturday in Wilmington, Delaware. It is at PRMI... You can get more details of the meetings on the Delaware Post areas the members usually post reminders of the meetings for everyone. These meetings come with a $5.00 fee. People are extremely nice and friendly.
   — dcox94

November 9, 2004
Hello Sharon, I am not sure about weekend support groups, but I wanted to let you know that Dr. K did my surgery and I am so pleased. I had my surgery done on 12-16-03 and I am so happy I did it. It is sad and unfortunate some people do not do well with this surgery, but you know that GOD is with you and he will get you through. I wish you the best and keep me posted on how you do.
   — danetta1070

November 10, 2004
I had my surgery with Dr. Von Rueden at Lankenau Hospital. Earlier this year, he moved his practice to Maryland, but he is now realizing that the post-ops from up here need something closer so I believe starting in 2005, they will begin a support group at Lankenau. There is no fee, meetings are conducted usually on Saturdays, and you don't have to have had your surgery by him to attend. Here is the website where you can reach him (cut and paste the link in your browser): http://www.gbmc.org/bariatrics/index.cfm
   — Yolanda J.

November 10, 2004
I wanted to clarify my previous post. It's not that HUP is trying to be snooty with excluding non-HUP patients. The opinion of the HUP nutritionist that runs the regular and grad support groups is that medical information is given at these meetings according to the HUP Bariatric Program's protocol. If patients from other hospitals came to the meetings, they may receive medical information or advice that would be in conflict with their own surgeon and/or nutritionist's advice. The only time that exceptions are made to this is when the surgeon or hospital where the surgery was done does not have a support group or the hospital where the person had the surgery does not have a bariatric program any more (like Hahnemann). In the first instance, the person wishing to attend the support group must have their surgeon contact the support group leader and give their written permission for their patient to attend HUP's support group. <p> Another reason is one of space. The regular HUP support group meeting is quite well attended and they simply do not have room to handle the additional 20 or so people that they may get if they opened it to the post-op public...JR
   — John Rushton