Did you all go to a support meeting pre-op? I don't know for sure if I "have" to for insurance but I'm going the May 5th and my last app is May 25th!! I was just wondering how the meeting was what was talked about n so on. Thank you :-)

☆Jeni☆

My program requires me to attend 2 sessions pre-op. I haven't gone yet.

Hell @@KristenLe I'm going Thursday not giving then the opportunity to deny me I waited to long as it is already

☆Jeni☆

I'm just at the start of my 6 months. Going by dreadfully slow.

Oh, it will go faster believe me. Everyone said it would go by fast n I was like naa it won't lol well it has n now it's going slow can't wait just be sure to get your stuff done early so you know it's done n aren't waiting till the last minute

☆Jeni☆

My support group can be very interesting at times and other times not so much. I never went before surgery, but many people come to our group before their surgery. It is a great place to ask questions. The Bariatric coordinator from the hospital runs it.

Yeeeeeah. I've met the people in my cohort that would be in my support group..... no thanks.

For me I had to complete blood work chest xray UGI phych eval my doctors had to send medical clearance to my surgeons office (I have 3 doctors) i had to get a referral from my primary for the surgeon. I first had to go to a seminar . I had to go to 3 nutrition classes which I did with my barriatric nurse. I have a pre op class on 5/5/16. Then I see the surgeon for my surgery date. I will also need to do a 2 week pre op liquid diet. I have everything done. My plan now is to get my date and then chill out on my 2 week liquid diet and then have the surgery!!!! Its good to get everything done first so you can concentrate on preparations before the big day. Iam so excited

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I started going to Support Group even before my first consult with my surgeon. A friend of mine (who is at goal and > 1 yr post GBP) recommended it. She was right. It's run by the RD's and therapist who work with the program, and they're excellent. There is always time for people to share and ask questions, and there is always a really interesting and useful program as well.

There are veterans (some with > 10 years postop), preops, and everyone in between. It's a great group, and one reason I was so prepared for surgery ahead of time.

Our support group have a theme or a guess speaker, once a month... the plastic surgeon specifically for bariatric patients came once...standing room only...lol

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@@carol1019 and 2goldengirl, thats so exciting! I hope it's that way at the one I'm going to that would be great! I had to have the sleep study, the psych eval, 6 months with Nutritionist and exercise therapist letter of clearance from my PCP and 5 yrs of weight history. It is so exciting I soooo agree!! :-)

☆Jeni☆

@@betterme38, if there is more than one bariatric support group in your area, find out whether they are open to anyone. I know mine is. If there are, I encourage you to try more than one - one size doesn't fit all, y'know?

@@2goldengirl I am an hr n a half away from where surgery is gonna be and from the support group which only meets once a month. Not sure of any around me never heard guess it can't hurt to check though thats for sure

☆Jeni☆

Support groups are great! One can get questions answered, talk to post ops, pre-ops, exchange recipes, clothes, exercise suggestions, pick up an exercise/walking buddy, and so much more.

I have found that one gets as much out of a support group as much as one is willing to put into it.

Active participation is priceless.

There usually is a handout of information, or samples.

Go forth and----partake!

I am so going to @@Valentina :-) Thank you and the many others for your help ♡

☆Jeni☆