Question:
are support groups worth it?

Hi, I am almost done with all my specialists, an soo I will receive a date for my sugery. (5ft. 265lbs) I would like some feedback reguarding support groups. Do you feel that you receive enough support from your Dr.? and your peers? I mean emotional? What I reall want to know is it helpful?    — TAMMY T. (posted on July 27, 2002)

July 26, 2002
THEY ARE WONDERFUL! Get together a bunch of folks who have in common the fear of WLS, dealing with the problems and rewards, hear their stories, see them big MOs, then they get a date, and most are scared. Watch them shrink and hearb their new stories of success and life improvements.<P> I encourage EVERYONE to join a local support group. Its GREAT!
   — bob-haller

July 26, 2002
In one word...absolutely! Support groups help to carry you from one month to the next, gives a forum to ask questions of people who are going through this with you, gives you an opportunity to help support someone else -- especially someone new and just starting this journey. You also have a forum in front of you where best practices of what works if.... is available. Good dialogue with your Dr. is important as is sticking with the program but the support group brings another avenue of support from someone who has been there and done that and truly knows how you feel. When you have fears, the group helps to talk you through them. When you celebrate, the group rejoices with you. If you don't have a group, find one now even before your surgery and make it a true priority to attend after. My best to you!
   — AJC750

July 26, 2002
I ABSOLUTELY trust and believe in the advice and support from my support group, Riverside California....We are EXTRA lucky as my dr usually attends most all of our group sessions so if we have any questions at all before our next scheduled appointment, he is there for that. Our group is very informative...and lots of fun also...What could be better than a whole room full of people that have been there and done that when you most need the advice....I don't miss a meeting...THE BIG PLUS IS: I have made LIFE LONG FRIENDS.....that's the best part of all....Go to your groups and GET INVOLVED......It will be the best thing you've ever done...
   — Joi G.

July 26, 2002
I also agree that support groups can really be a lot of help. Who else other than someone travelling on the same journy can understand? I have a very supportive family, but they have no idea whether or not something I am feeling is normal or something shared by many wls patients. I also get a lot of great ideas this way!I don't receive a lot of emotional support from my surgeon or my PCP, but I don't feel like I need to. I also try not to take more than I put in, if that makes any sense. In other words, if I am not giving support to others, I don't ask for any. Wow, that sounds kind of harsh, but I truly believe that what we get out of life is in direct correlation to what we invest in it. Good luck to you!
   — NicoleG

July 27, 2002
I am sure each support group is different, but remember you get out of it, what you put into it. In my opinion my support group is as important to this weight loss process as the surgery was. I need BOTH for success. The support group offers you insight from a variety of people who are walking the same path you will be. Eventually you will be a contributor to the support group, and that will re-enforce for you all the things you have learned and implemented in your new lifestyle. And the support group is accountability. As a new post op, we are different. Our diets, weight loss are different from any other programs. Our surgery recovery is different than any other sugery. We are unique, and a support group surrounds you with your unique peers. And that is not even mentioning the friendship and great relationships that form during support groups. My support group has friendships that will be life long. I encourage you to give the support group a try. Good luck!
   — Nene B.

July 27, 2002
Support groups are very much worth it. You get to hear feedback from other people so you don't feel your alone when you have your struggles.
   — candymom64

July 27, 2002
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!! I love my support group and don't ever miss a meeting if I can help it. Everyone in my family is VERY supportive as is my husband, but there is nothing like being able to talk to people who KNOW what you are going through and have gone through.
   — sheltie

July 27, 2002
It's like a pathological need for me to buck the system!! I'm not much of a group person. I went to two support groups, and to be honest, found them pretty useless. I have received much more information in a style I like from the online groups I have belonged to. But, I never went looking for emotional support, just information and shared experiences. YMMV -Kate-
   — kateseidel

July 27, 2002
I have to say that I don't feel I could have done this without my support group. It was through one of the members of this group that I found my surgeon. And it is through this group that I can measure my experiences. They have all been where I have been emotionally. We share the same types of history and now through the group, we share the same type of future. Knowing that I am in a room of people who will never look down on me because of how I look is wonderful. I wouldn't want to go through this without the support of people who truly understand.
   — Wendy C.

July 27, 2002
I really LOVE my support group! They are the greatest bunch of people on the planet. We meet every month and have planned our first 'outing' to a local health food restaurant in August! It is so helpful to be surrounded by people who know EXACTALY what you have and are going through. They notice the smallest weight loss, offer positive answers to problems regarding WLS issues and really help and support you when you need it. I highly recommend attending support groups--let's face it, we all need a little positive intervention!
   — jenn2002

July 27, 2002
We attend or host 4 support group mtgs per month. 2 are more "lecture" format, which we do not enjoy as much, but we do enjoy the accountability and camaradarie. We host 2 here, have since 1994, and it is more round table, "support", than lecture. We benefit from all of them. It keeps us accountable to see & be seen each month. My husband & I have both had surgery, so we need more than each other. We have never gone a month without meetings.
   — vitalady

July 27, 2002
i never post to these topics, i still have not met my doc. and i attend a support group started because there were no other options and our doc does not have them. i have never missed since i started!!! i would not know what i know w/o them and it is a awesome forum to find out and to be a post op. Especially since there is none w/the doc in our area!!! Support groups are essential.
   — Yvonne L.

July 30, 2002
I am preop, my surgery date is Aug 12. If I had not been to 2 support meetings, I think I would have been scared to death at this point. It is a great place to meet people in the exact same boat. Everyone is so friendly and it really gave me peace of mind to see how good everyone is doing. So often on the forum (I love AMOS) you only read about people with complications. I wouldn't miss my support meeting for the world.
   — Becky P.

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