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Which Weight Loss Surgery Support Groups Do You Belong to?



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There’s no question that support is one of the biggest keys to success after weight loss surgery. Bariatric support groups can be a major source of support. They come in all forms and play all kinds of roles for different patients.

As a way of helping other BariatricPal members who may be looking for a support group or who would like to get more out of their support systems, here are a few questions that I’d love for you to answer!

Which support groups do you belong to? Are they in person or online, such as BariatricPal? How often do you attend meetings or login? Did you find them through your surgeon, or did you find them another way?

What do you use your support systems for? Is it generally for information about weight loss surgery? Do you get ideas about food and recipes? Do you look for recommendations for products and healthcare providers? Is it to make friends that you can meet outside of the group? Does the group help keep you accountable?

Do you feel as though anything is lacking from your support groups? What would you like to have that you do not already get?

Thanks for your help!

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I've never attended a support group, and don't intend to join one since I'm 16 months out and maintaining a weight that is well under my original goal. My parents, husband, and my doctors are the only ones who know I've had WLS, and really the only ones I've ever felt I needed support from throughout this experience. I have found sites like this one to be useful for learning from the experiences of others, gathering information, and asking questions. I don't really seek support here but feel like there's plenty of kind people who would give it to me if I ever did. Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube have also been great resources for finding recipes, meal plans, and tips from others who've had WLS.

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online I participate regularly on this one and OH. I've logged into Thinner Times a couple of times, but that's it - so not a regular participant on that one. I go to local support groups occasionally. Early out I used them to get information; now I use them mostly because they keep me focused on my weight loss. I login at least once a day - and usually two or three times.

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I don't have a physical support group. There is one locally but I found it to be nothing but a bragging of what and how much they could eat and get away with. I deal with enough of my own demons I sure didn't need that. But I have a few online groups I go to. I have this one and one other that I keep close tabs on!! Sometimes it's just knowing that someone deals with the same stuff I do is enough. On the other site there is a recipe place and I go on PINTREST and a couple others for recipes. I forgot about this site for quite a while and was so glad I found it again. Lots of good information on here. Thank you for starting this site.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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