The bariatric support group I go to usually only has 8 or 9 people attend on a regular basis. Of these, about 5 or so are very close and seem to take over the whole session with their issues and ideas. This is the only group available for me to attend and I'm just not sure I want to continue to go listen to them. They all had bypass and had their surgery over a year ago so their issues are a bit different than mine. I'm actually at a point where I dread "group night". I guess I'm wondering, how important is it? I really am not feeling any support whatsoever from these people but feel like I should give it a chance. I've been going once a month since September. Thoughts? Ideas? Thanks in advance!!

Can you talk to the group's facilitator about it?

• perhaps you can recommend that they have two sessions, one for newbies and one for veterans.. That way maybe new people can discuss more here and now issues with each other as the other group is..
  

I too had some of the same problems. I have actually gotten more support and concrete answers here on this site than I did going to the group meetings. The group-clique was frustrating at best. I have been able to be very open with my questions and am always amazed at the number of people who have similar situations and suggestions on how to handle whatever is going on.

I would say either talk to the facillitator or find even one person in there who is like you and see if together you can seek out others. GB patients just arent in the same boat as us!

some groups are not for everyone and it's sad when cliques happen and sorta run the show. If the group does not suit your needs don't go. you can always come in here and i'm sure everyone would be happy to help you out.

Thanks for the replies/advice. I went tonight. It was pretty much the same as always. I'm just not sure what I'm going to do. I do actually feel like I get better advice on here than I do there....