Everyone knows you’re supposed to attend support group meetings after weight loss surgery. Unfortunately, not everyone does or is able to attend as often as they want or even at all. Your surgeon may not offer them, or they may not be at convenient times or locations, or you may just not find them worth the time to go.

So, do you attend support group meetings? Who sponsors them – is it your surgeon/clinic or another organization? How often do you go? Or, do you attend any online live sessions? Where are they based?

Ha! I just found one in Midland

I'm so back and forth on this issue, which is odd, as I'm a decisive person on most issues.

Our monthly support group typically attracts 200+ people but of course mostly pre-op.

While I've stated before that my benefits have diminished greatly over time, I remember how helpful it was for me pre-op and 6 months post op.

I'm going to start attending in January again primarily to help the newbies. My expectations in gaining support for myself are low, so I won't be disappointed.

I go about 4x a year. There are many hospitals around that have them so I like to go to a different one every time.

I also like online support.

I have found online support to be infinitely better than group support. You get only one thought, mindset. The internet groups and support areas give you so much more variety, so many more options, and it is so much more convenient. You aren't stuck to one area or anything else and you have a greater chance of meeting people like you or not like you that it is wonderful!

I am two months out, but I went to the monthly support group offered by Kaiser before the surgery and I have gone after. They have lots of freebies to entice people to come. The last one I went to I got lots of samples of high Protein Snacks, powders, chews, etc. It is a good, motivating group. Kaiser has other classes that meet weekly that focus on healthy eating.

I have not been to a single support group meeting. I keep telling myself I am going to start going to OA. I had been to a few meetings in years past, but not a single one since my surgery. I do see a therapist once a week most weeks. And I really appreciate all the support here on Bariatric pals. I need to go to OA as well, and that is going to be one of my resolutions in the New Year. Maybe I will get a head start the week of the 28th that I actually have off work:-)