Question:
Does anyone else pay to go to support groups?
I went to my first support group last week and was surprised that there was a charge to attend. One person runs the support group for both the surgeons in my area, so he's the only game in town, so to speak. It's not a lot of money, but somehow it disturbs me to have to pay to meet other people who are dealing with WLS. — [Anonymous] (posted on January 20, 2002)
January 20, 2002
I don't pay for support group. Do they collect money to provide drinks or
food or pay rent to meet? If not I'd try finding or starting another
support group. Good luck
— Becky K.
January 20, 2002
Do I pay to attend a support group? No. Would I? probably a nominal fee I
would. I find the support group to be a very beneficial part of my postop
process.
— Karen L.
January 20, 2002
Since these meetings act as free advertisement for these surgeons I'd be a
bit disturbed too. These amply paid dr's can afford to spring for a few
refreshments. I'd probably try to start my own support group under those
circumstances. -Kim
— KimBo36
January 20, 2002
I am the original poster. The group is held in a hospital meeting room and
there are no refreshments. I may look into starting one myself.
— [Anonymous]
January 20, 2002
I heard at my support group mtg. they asked me to pay, but I never did. I
dont see why they would want $100 anyway. There arent any refreshments.
They never went after the money either.
— Cheryl J.
January 20, 2002
We do not pay for support groups, either. Some are held in homes, some in
libraries or other public places. I believe there is a small fee for
libraries and some places collect a toekn amount to help with that. You
might want to sniff around and SEE if there are already private groups
going in your area. Many times there is a charge for groups run by paid
professionals, but you might enjoy the ones run by WLS people and for much
less money.
— vitalady
January 20, 2002
YES I pay to go to suport group it's only $10.00 EVERY 2 WEEKS. NOPW WHEN
WE HAD PRIVITE SESSIONS I HAD TO PAY $100. per session that was hard.I'M
GLAD IT'S ONLY $10.00 NOW AND NO REFRESHMENTS.IT'S AFTER HRS. AT HER
OFFICE. It helps alot. Nancy M.
— NANCY M.
January 20, 2002
I don't pay to attend support groups. My surgeon's office, which is a
combo of a lot of surgeons, finance the group which is held at a hall on
the grounds of one of the hospitals that they do the surgeries at. And,
except for two weeks ago, have always had refreshments. They also have a
clothing exchange where you can bring your "too big" clothes and
lay them out. Then one of the wonderful people there takes them home and
brings them back every week. The only thing that I pay for is the parking
which is $2. I would definitely look into starting a new group. Find a
local place that may "donate" a room every other week or once a
month to let you have your meeting. It's worth a try. Good Luck!
— tmrivas
January 20, 2002
That is one of the absolute worst things I have ever heard. It made me
mad. They should be ashamed of themselves. You need to find another
support group. I love my support group. We exchange phone numbers, meet
for coffee and encourage each other all the time. I am 17 months post op
and it has been so helpful to me. I have been to the support group of
another doctor and it was good too. It is basicly the same surgery and the
same kinds of people. I hope you find someone to help you. Please e-mail
me anytime. I would be more than happy to help.
— DeeDubbs
January 20, 2002
I'm currently the president of a support group in Houston. We aren't
affiliated with any surgeon, though one of the local surgeons in town
sponsers us so we can use a meeting room at one of the hospitals (no charge
for him or us). We don't CHARGE a fee to members to attend, but we do
raffle off a small door prize each month for $1.00 per ticket. No one is
ever pushed to participate, and there are some who don't, but it is never a
big deal at all. We don't have refreshments (yikes.. old habits.. where
are the refreshments??) but we use the money for things like: fee for
group pager so new people can inquire about the group, speaker fees or
expenses (we're having a certified personal trainer come next month to
teach us exercises we can do without a gym), name tags, photocopying
brochures to place in surgeon's offices, etc. I agree with most of the
group, that mandatory fees are not something I would want (seems too much
like weight watchers or jenny craig!). But, we do have minor operating
expenses since we don't have a doc footing the bill. We prefer to do it
ourselves, then we don't have anyone to answer to other than US!
— BethVBG
January 20, 2002
I don't believe that any surgeon would charge....My surgeon holds the
meetings at her office at there is never a charge. It's byob (lol) but we
usually have 40+ people there. We are starting a new post op group on
Saturdays and will be able to use a room for free. Usually the hospitals
won't charge for the use of a room or most churches are good about letting
a nonprofit use a room for free.
I just don't understand why there is a fee. hmmmm
rita in vermont open rny 3/31/94 then 463/now 185
— vt_rita
January 21, 2002
Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians in Salt Lake charge $500 up front
pre-op for "education". I was surprised. Neither insurance nor
flexible spending covered it.
— smatney
January 21, 2002
We have a donation jar at the sign in table at our support group meetings.
We average anywhere from $5.00 total to maybe $30.00. We have anywhere
from 60 to 150 who attend the meeting and this bit of money helps to defray
some of the operating expenses. The hospital donates the meeting space and
crystal light. When I started the group I promised myself and our members
that there would never be a charge to attend. I have kids and I know that
some weeks there's not even $1.00 to spare. I'd start my own group if I
were you. It shouldn't cost anything to let people know you care about
them! BEST WISHES!
— ronascott
January 21, 2002
well i live in brooklyn newyork and im due to have surgery by doctor
goodman at montifoire medical center in the bronx. i was told that i needed
to pay a 100.00 fee for my dietitain and support group after care.i truley
think that it's worth it.
— [Anonymous]
January 21, 2002
My support group collects $5 a month for dues. These dues go to pay for
meeting space (as we have 40+ members), group functions/parties and
whatever else the group decides to spend the money on. This past christmas
we used close to $300 to sponsor a needy family in the area by purchasing
gifts and food. I think dues are okay for a support group if you know what
the money is being used for, have a say in its allocation and can support
the decisions being made. If it is simply serving as an advertisement for
a particular doctor you'd have to weigh the benefits of this information
you'd be gaining. Just my opinion, of course! *grin*
— kylakae
January 21, 2002
Yes I have heard of this and yes I feel like you. The surgeon (that will
not be doing my surgery) had you pay to go to the support group and buy
additional books and things and this was supposed to be mandatory. That
was one of the list of things that bothered me about him :) I hope you
continue getting support its beneficial, I wonder what happens if you
forget your purse ;)
— [Anonymous]
January 21, 2002
I started a weight loss surgery support group that is up to 111 members in
7 months in the Seattle area. We do not charge anything. We are in the
process of forming a board of directors so that we can incorporate as a
501(c)3 educational tax-exempt organization. Once we have that status we
will solicit donations to cover expenses (which I've been paying out of
pocket).
— Julia M.
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