WLS support group.....dunno if that was such a good idea

[JinTx 19]

So last night I went to my hospitals wls support group. There were very few bandsters there...mostly sleeve and bypass. There were 2 ppl who had the band but then got either he sleeve or bypass, there was me, one other band patient who lost about 70 pounds and then someone else who was preop band. The subject was the emotional effects of wls whicj i think applies no matter what type of surgery you have. I guess i just didnt feel like i fit in. There were maybe 30 ppl there. I dont feel like im going to get the support i need. Everyone was going on and on about how wonderful group is. Heck, i shoulda just spend an hour and half on this board instead. Anyone else have a similar experience?

J

[transforming jlaroux 78]

yup. and because of it, our hospital started a bandster group quarterly. I was so happy! A room, filled with about 10 other bandsters. That's where I felt supported. There is a lot of valuable information at the support groups, but that doesn't make it any easier. I have often felt like the fairhaired step child. Allign yourself with the other bandsters in the room, and take everything with a grain of salt. We go through much of the same things that the others do, they just forget about us sometimes. However, it has made me all the more resilient! our group gives out blue ribbons at 75 pounds lost. RNY and Sleeves get it within 3-5 months of surgery. I want mine, and I will prove them wrong that bandsters dont get that far. And I have every intention of doing it within the first year of surgery.

My advise to you: stick with it. get what you can from it, and talk to your administrators. see if you can get them to start a small group. there have got to be more bandsters at their practice.

So last night I went to my hospitals wls support group. There were very few bandsters there...mostly sleeve and bypass. There were 2 ppl who had the band but then got either he sleeve or bypass, there was me, one other band patient who lost about 70 pounds and then someone else who was preop band. The subject was the emotional effects of wls whicj i think applies no matter what type of surgery you have. I guess i just didnt feel like i fit in. There were maybe 30 ppl there. I dont feel like im going to get the support i need. Everyone was going on and on about how wonderful group is. Heck, i shoulda just spend an hour and half on this board instead. Anyone else have a similar experience?

J

[JerseyGirl80 12]

My doctors office has support groups once or twice a month, I don't go to them because they are mostly bypass/sleeve patients. I also feel out of place with them, it's very uncomfortable. To me it's a different journey with the band compared to the bypass or sleeve and we need different support. Just like when I went to my pre-op "class" I was the only band patient there, and some of the things they went over had nothing to do with me and I was getting confused with what I had to do and what suppliments I'd have to take. The people giving the class seemed to just assume everyone was getting the bypass or sleeve. I had to ask a million questions only to be told, "oh that doesn't concern you, you're getting a band, this is for bypass/sleeve patients" it was very frustrating.

I could be wrong but most of the time it seems like its more of a struggle for band patients. My boyfriends sister had the bypass almost 3yrs ago, and lost most of her weight within the first few months without doing anything, but she also regrets getting it done. She has alot of health issues since her surgery, she said if she could do it all over she would have gotten a band instead. It may sound catty or ignorant but I'm just being honest, I kinda get uncomfortable and maybe even a little annoyed when I hear about how much weight they've lost in only a few months with no effort. I understand they are more at risk and some suffer from Vitamin deficiency and malabsorbtion but like seriously, I'm still working my ass off even after surgery to lose weight! Now I'm just complaining lol.. Anyway, this is what I chose and how I wanted to do it, but I feel the support groups should cater to all WLS patients and separate bands from bypass/sleeve patients as we have different needs.

[TKW 501]

Our support group is really uneventful. We do a lot of sitting there looking at each other. We don't have a very structured group, no agenda. We all just kind of say whatever. Seriously thinking of not going anymore. Anyone got good ideas on how to run a better group?

[jurhee19 2]

The hospital I had my survey at has support group twice month. I go at least once a month. I feel that it has helped with my success. Even though I'm one of a couple that have had the lap band. Most of the people have went with the sleeve or bypas. I can still learn from them and get support that I need. I don't see that it matters what we choose we are all trying to support each other and are going through the samething. I'm actually getting ready to go to a support meeting in the next hour. It also holds me accountable by going to support group. Good luck with your journey!

[tengles 0]

in my city we have a general WLS group once a month, but also a small lap band group and small sleeve/bypass group. I go to the general one and feel that even though I am one of a few bandsters I do get support. In fact the last time I went we talked about some of the struggles I have with regards to eating and my band. Even though they all had bypasses done I learned so much. I will be attending my first small lap band group on Monday. Oh and also there will be a guest speaker at the small sleeve/bypass group and they said it would be great if I joined. I'm sorry that you do not have a "welcoming" group but stick with it, you just may get something out of it or even connect with someone so that you have a person face to face that knows what you are going through.

[lifeisjustbeginning2011 11]

I was self pay and went to 5 doctors/centers before I decided on True Results. One support group I went to had two rooms: lap band and the "everything else" room. You know how many people were in the lap band room? ONE. One friggin person. The other room had 20 or so. Visit several, each one is different. I'm thrilled with my results. I love the aftercare and support that I get. Support is crucial!!