Question:
What topics would you like to see discussed at support groups?

Hello everyone! I am starting a support group for people who have been through WLS. I have a lot of people interested, have a place ready, date and time all set. I am having trouble thinking of discussion topics. Can you please help me????????? Julie    — Julie T. (posted on January 7, 2002)

January 7, 2002
I would like to discuss the poor treatment that obese patients get after surgery in the hospitals. No offense meant to nurses but when I had my surgery I was treated pretty badly. I had to beg for a sponge bath and then the nurse brought a pan of water and left. Thanks a lot! I felt I was degraded because they acted like they didn't want to touch me. Also with WLS, the staff acted like I was not seriously needing attention, that I had chosen my situation and so be it. Take care of yourself while we deal with the sick people was the attitude! I would like to have my say on this with the people who should care, in other words the management of the hospital. With the cost of this surgery they should give us first class treatment! Probably if this were discussed it would turn into a B***H session but that would clear up a lot of bad feelings and maybe the nursing staff would improve. I have heard many similar stories from others and it is not necessary to be treated with less than the dignity we deserve.
   — [Anonymous]

January 7, 2002
Even if you have many topics and issues that you already have in mind to cover, why not "brainstorm" what the people in the group hope to talk about? When I brainstorm, I would use a flip chart and make a word or idea list as quickly as as I can write, as quickly as people are throwong out ideas. It is very important not to stop to discuss any of them....just keep it rolling until you have a very long list of ideas. You can pick your hot or important topics from the list. I would bring back the same flip chart sheets and tape them up on the wall at future meetings. That way, people feel their needs and input are important even if their topic is not the first or second to be discussed. Good luck with your group. I think support is so very important before, during, and after WLS.
   — Judith A.

January 7, 2002
Anymous, did you call the hospital after you got home and complin to the proper authorties? Jen my wife did over some issues she had while in ICU. You will be doing everyone who follows you a service. Helping there care be better.
   — bob-haller

January 7, 2002
Gee anonymous, sounds like we stayed in the same hospital! Only, they told me to go take a shower, and then left it up to me as to how to do that! I asked for help, was told they would 'eventually" be in and they never were. I hit the call button on my second day in the hospital to have a nurse help me up to get to the bathroom...no answer so i finally got up and went in on my own with lot's of pain. They answered the page (30 minutes later) while I was in the bathroom so I couldn't answer it. Do you think that they came in to check and see if I was okay? NOPE. I could have been dying when I buzzed them but they never even checked to see what was wrong when they got no answer. Yes, i complained and yes, supposedly they changed alot of things since. I sincerely hope so. This seems to be my pet peeve about this surgery..the insulting manner in which you are treated sometimes.
   — Barbara H.

January 8, 2002
Barbara, I had the same experience. The orderly came in to get me out of bed to give me a sponge bath. I was still out of it due to the meds. She yanked on my arms once then let me get outta bed on my own accord. She took me into the bathroom (my head was swimming due to standing and i was in a fog) sponged my back and back of my legs and then left. Never saw her again. Had to make it back to my bed on my own.
   — Elizabeth A.

January 8, 2002

   — Julia M.