Question:
Is there a support group in the Kansas City area?

   — Carlene B. (posted on August 7, 2003)

August 7, 2003
Most of the support groups are connect to the doctor. Dr. Sifers in Shawnee Mission has three different groups. Dr. Sifers does the BPD so the info would be very specific to that procedure. 1st group meets at Shawnee Mission Medical Center (I-35 & 75th) every other Monday except they seem to be on a break and the next meeting won't be until September 29th. This meeting is run by 2 people from Sifers office and are usually very informative. There is another group that meets the 2nd Wednesday at Trails West Library in Indy at 7:00, these are run by a patient and are more informal. Then there is a Saturday group in Liberty but I haven't heard much about them lately. Sifers web site is www.sifersmd.medem.com. If your having or had the RNY you might want to contact some of the local docs that do those (Search in "Find a Doc") and see when and where their meetings are. Good Luck.
   — Sunny S.

August 7, 2003
http://www.homestead.com/kcwlsfriends/ Their site says: "As always.... We also welcome folks thinking about bariatric surgery, those who have had the surgery, and older post-ops to join us!" I had my surgery in KC and I go to my doctor's support group, but honestly it seems more like his patients and hopefuls asking a zillion questions instead of what I consider "support". (Posties talking to each other, helping each other, sharing ideas and experiences.) But I've heard good things about this group. I just live too far away to go to both. :)
   — ladyphy

August 7, 2003
I go to the Bariatric Center of Kansas City's meetings, which are held on the first thursday of every month at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. (Go in the entrance that has the circular drive. GO down hallway on right, and take first right--it is in the conference room on right side.) They just started letting pre-ops in, and I went for the first time last month, and am going again tonight at 6. I really love their group. The posties are wonderful and very accepting, and it is very easy to ask questions of everyone. I have Dr. Hitchcock as my Dr, and he usually teams up with Dr. Hoehn. They are both very wonderful. They do the Roux-en-Y procedure either Lap or open. They have a very structured after care program and require lots of pre-op testing to make sure you are ok for surgery. If you end up being self-pay, I have found that their rates are about the lowest in our area. (yes, I am self-pay) If you want to know more, just email me, ok? Hope to see you soon!
   — jawalker72

August 7, 2003
Hi, I am 6 mths psot-op and live in the KC area too. My surgeon was at Truman Medical Center West, and that is where he helds his support group meetings at. It is located in down town KC off of Truman Rd and Holmes. The meetings are held in the hospital on the botton floor by the cafeteria on every second Tuesday of the mth., which means one is coming up next week if you would like to attend. The time of the meetings are 4:30 p.m. The surgeon always comes in and talks to ppl about the surgery and the post-ops get up and tell their stories, and the pre-ops asks questions, and prepare themselves for surgery. Also, there are meetings held in Overland Park, KS, which are ran by Barbara Straus out at the Library each mth. but I am not sure what day and time so you migh t need to check that out thru her website, you might have to look under find peers for that not sure. Hope this info helps out alittle bit. Take Care and Good Luck to You!
   — Melodee S.